Become a notary

Michigan Secretary of State

Become a notary in Michigan

Notaries in Michigan are commissioned by the Michigan Secretary of State. Apply there first. StampSide is a public page after you have used their process. Look up a commission with TAP Notary Public Search. Cookies are required on that site.

Official Michigan registerRegister on StampSide

Where to register

Applications go to the Michigan Secretary of State. Open their page for the current application, not a StampSide form.

Requirements

What the official page states. If a topic is missing here, that page did not spell it out.

Residency
Michigan resident or a place of business in Michigan; U.S. citizen or proof of legal presence; apply in your county of residence (or the county of your principal place of business if you do not live in Michigan).
Record
Free of felony convictions within the past 10 years, including completion of sentence. Not currently imprisoned.
Bond and oath
File a $10,000 surety bond with the county clerk and take the oath of office. Michigan licensed attorneys are exempt from that bond/oath line as the SOS states it.
Term
A 6- to 7-year commission ending on your birthday.

How to get started

  1. Apply online if you can

    The SOS says online applications are given priority and are often processed within days. Mail can take 4 to 6 weeks.

  2. File the bond and take the oath at the county clerk

    Then send the completed application and the $10.00 SOS processing fee (online upload or mail).

  3. Wait for the official expiration date before buying a stamp

    The SOS says not to use the date on the surety bond for supplies.

  4. Register on StampSide

    After you use the Michigan Secretary of State site, create a public page: photo, where you work, and how clients reach you. You can appear in the Michigan directory. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.

Processing time

The Michigan SOS says mail applications may take 4 to 6 weeks; online applications are often processed within days.

Tools after you apply

Official pages and named suppliers already listed in this product. Checkout is on their site — StampSide does not sell stamps.

  • Bond or E&O

    Michigan posts a $10,000 surety bond filed with the county clerk. Search licensed agencies at michigan.gov/difs. The SOS says bond cost varies and is not a fee they set.

    National Notary Association

  • Stamp or seal

    Buy a stamp only after the SOS issues the official commissioned name, county, and expiration.

    Named suppliers on StampSide

  • More suppliers

    Notary Rotary, Notary.net, and the National Notary Association are on the supplies list. State-specific seals only.

    StampSide supplies list

More official pages

Register, then getting started

StampSide does not commission you — the Michigan Secretary of State does, on the official site above. Register here for a public page. After you sign up, getting started walks through a photo, your commission when you have it, and an email signature for cards and mail. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.

RegisterCreate your page

After you are commissioned

Appear in the Michigan directory. Closers and the public still confirm standing on the official site.

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