Quick Facts
Commission Term
5 years
Bond
Not required
Application Fee
$120
Issuing Authority
Minnesota Secretary of State
Journal
Optional
Fee Caps
Yes
What makes Minnesota distinctive
- Minnesota permits remote online notarization (RON), joining 47 other states that allow notarization over live video.
- Minnesota's $120 application fee is well above the national median of $30.
- Minnesota's 5-year commission term is longer than the national median of 4 years, meaning fewer renewals over a notary's career.
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free TierAdvanced Services
Pro TierIdentity Verification Methods
- Personal Knowledge
- Government-Issued ID
- Credible Witness
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Authorized
Minnesota authorizes remote online notarization. Additional requirements may apply.
Minnesota notaries are commissioned by the Governor under Minnesota Statutes §§ 359.01 through 359.12, with a 5-year commission term and no surety bond. The state has a maximum fee of $5 per notarial act, but notaries are expected to charge reasonable amounts. Minnesota authorizes remote online notarization under Minn. Stat. § 358.645, requiring RON session recordings to be retained for ten years. A notary journal is required for all notarial acts. The Minnesota notary compliance reference in Notary Guide tracks the commission cycle, the RON authorization, and the current journal requirements.
Key Considerations
- No Bond Required - UNIQUE: Minnesota does not require notaries to obtain surety bond (optional E&O insurance available)
- 5-Year Commission Term - Expires January 31 of fifth year after issue (e.g., 2025 commission expires Jan 31, 2030)
- Bordering State Residents - UNIQUE: Residents of Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin may apply for Minnesota notary commission by designating Minnesota county for filing
- RON Since January 1, 2019 - Remote online notarization permanently authorized under Minn. Stat. § 358.645
- RON Separate Authorization - $75 fee to Secretary of State for RON authorization (separate from $120 traditional commission fee)
Regulatory Authority
Minnesota Secretary of State - Notary Division
Visit official websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
Minn. Stat. § 358.51
Definitions - Notarial acts
Minn. Stat. § 358.52
Requirements for certain notarial acts
Minn. Stat. § 358.54
Personal appearance required - Spouse disqualification
Minn. Stat. § 358.57
Personal knowledge and satisfactory evidence of identity
Minn. Stat. § 358.645
Remote Online Notary Public
Minn. Stat. § 358.66
Short form certificates
Minn. Stat. § 357.17
Maximum fees for notaries public
Minn. Stat. § 359.01
Notaries public - Powers
Minn. Stat. § 359.03
Appointment - Term
Minn. Stat. § 359.061
Notarial seal
Minn. Stat. § 517.04
Who may perform marriage ceremonies
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in Minnesota?
A Minnesota notary public commission is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Renewal requires reapplying through the Minnesota Secretary of State - Notary Division before the term expires.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in Minnesota?
Minnesota charges $120 as the application fee to the Minnesota Secretary of State - Notary Division. Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does Minnesota require a notary bond?
No. Minnesota does not require a surety bond as part of the notary commission. Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is optional and may still be advisable for protection against personal liability.
Is a notary journal required in Minnesota?
Minnesota does not legally require a notary journal, though keeping one is strongly recommended for evidentiary protection in the event of a challenged signature.
Is a notary seal or stamp required in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota 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 Minnesota Secretary of State - Notary Division.
Can Minnesota notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Minnesota 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 Minnesota notaries use?
Minnesota 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 Minnesota cap notary fees?
Yes. Minnesota sets statutory maximum fees per notarial act. Charging more than the cap is a violation and may result in commission discipline. Maximum fees per Minn. Stat. § 357.17: $5 for protest of nonpayment/nonacceptance and copy; $5 for every other protest and copy; $5 for making and serving notice; $5 per folio for affidavit or paper not otherwise specified, $1 per folio for copies; $5 per oath administered; $5 for acknowledgments and other authorized services; $5 per folio for recording; RON fees same as traditional; notary may charge less or nothing; travel fees separate
Who regulates notaries in Minnesota?
Minnesota notaries are commissioned and regulated by the Minnesota Secretary of State - Notary Division. Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
What notarial acts can Minnesota notaries perform?
Minnesota notaries are authorized to perform 10 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 Minnesota?
Start your application through the Minnesota Secretary of State - Notary Division.
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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 Fees by State Guide
Comprehensive comparison of statutory fee caps across all 50 states, including travel surcharges, electronic notarization premiums, and pro-bono guidance.
Notary Acknowledgments: 50-State Guide
Authoritative reference for acknowledgment certificate language across all 50 states, including short-form versus long-form requirements.
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