Quick Facts
Commission Term
4 years
Bond
$25,000
Application Fee
$10
Issuing Authority
Judge of Probate in county of residence
Journal
OptionalTraditionalMandatoryRON
Fee Caps
No caps
What makes Alabama distinctive
- Alabama permits remote online notarization (RON), joining 29 other states that allow notarization over live video.
- Alabama's $10 application fee is among the lowest in the country (national median is $30).
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free TierAdvanced Services
Pro TierIdentity Verification Methods
- Personal Knowledge
- Government-Issued ID
- Credible Witness
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
RON Available
Alabama authorizes remote online notarization. Additional requirements may apply.
Key Considerations
- Alabama uses decentralized system: Judge of Probate in each county issues commissions (unique feature)
- Notaries commissioned in county of residence but may notarize statewide
- NO statutory fee caps in Alabama - market-based pricing (differs from most states)
- Commission term is 4 years
- $25,000 surety bond required (higher than many states)
Regulatory Authority
Judge of Probate (in each county)
Visit official websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
Ala. Code Title 36, Chapter 20
Notaries Public
Primary statutory authority for Alabama notaries
Ala. Code § 36-20-1
Appointment of notaries public
Authority of Judge of Probate to appoint notaries; county-based system
Ala. Code § 36-20-7
Bond required
$25,000 surety bond requirement for notary commission
Ala. Code § 36-20-8
Official seal
Seal requirements: name, 'Notary Public', 'State of Alabama', county, commission expiration
Ala. Code § 35-4-29
Acknowledgments
Form and requirements for acknowledgment certificates
Ala. Act 2019-117
Remote Online Notarization Authorization
Permanent RON authorization effective August 1, 2019; multi-factor identity verification, recording requirements
Ala. Code § 30-1-7
Who may solemnize matrimony
Lists authorized marriage officiants; notaries NOT included (only ministers, judges, specified officials)
Ala. UCC
Uniform Commercial Code
Authority for protests of negotiable instruments
Ala. Rules Civ Proc
Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure
Governs depositions and testimony procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in Alabama?
A Alabama notary public commission is valid for 4 years from the date of issue. Renewal requires reapplying through the Judge of Probate (in each county) before the term expires.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in Alabama?
Alabama charges $10 as the application fee to the Judge of Probate (in each county). Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does Alabama require a notary bond?
Yes. Alabama requires a notary surety bond of $25,000. The bond protects the public against errors or misconduct by the notary; it is purchased from a licensed surety company, not the state.
Is a notary journal required in Alabama?
Journal requirements in Alabama are: OptionalTraditionalMandatoryRON. Consult the Judge of Probate (in each county) for the current authoritative rule.
Is a notary seal or stamp required in Alabama?
Yes. Alabama notaries must affix an official seal or stamp to every notarial act they perform. The seal must be obtained from an authorized vendor and meet the format requirements set by the Judge of Probate (in each county).
Can Alabama notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Alabama authorizes remote online notarization (RON), allowing a notary to notarize documents over live video with an out-of-state signer. RON typically requires additional registration, an approved technology platform, and identity-proofing via knowledge-based authentication or credential analysis.
What identity verification methods can Alabama notaries use?
Alabama notaries may verify a signer's identity using the following methods: Personal Knowledge, Government-Issued ID, and Credible Witness. Each method has its own evidentiary weight — government-issued photo ID is the most common.
Does Alabama cap notary fees?
Alabama does not set hard statutory maximums on notarial fees. No statutory fee caps in Alabama; notaries may charge reasonable fees as agreed between notary and client
Who regulates notaries in Alabama?
Alabama notaries are commissioned and regulated by the Judge of Probate (in each county). Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
Does Alabama authorize in-person electronic notarization (eNotarization)?
Yes. Alabama authorizes in-person electronic notarization, where the signer is physically present but the document and signature are electronic. This is distinct from remote online notarization (RON), which uses live video for an out-of-state signer.
What notarial acts can Alabama notaries perform?
Alabama notaries are authorized to perform 11 of the 14 canonical notarial acts tracked in this guide, including Acknowledgment, Jurat, Oath / Affirmation, and Affidavit. See the Authorized Services section above for the full list.
Ready to Become a Notary in Alabama?
Start your application through the Judge of Probate (in each county).
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Remote Online Notarization (RON): State Guide 2026
State-by-state breakdown of which jurisdictions permit RON, the technology requirements, and the additional registration steps for notaries who want to offer it.
Notary Acknowledgments: 50-State Guide
Authoritative reference for acknowledgment certificate language across all 50 states, including short-form versus long-form requirements.
How to Become a Notary Public
Step-by-step path from application to commission, including bond and surety insurance decisions and ongoing compliance obligations.
Get the Full Alabama Compliance Guide
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