Quick Facts
Commission Term
4 years
Bond
$500
Application Fee
$20
Issuing Authority
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (WDFI)
Journal
Optional
Fee Caps
Yes
What makes Wisconsin distinctive
- Wisconsin does not permit remote online notarization (RON), unlike the majority of states that have authorized it.
- Wisconsin's $20 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 Not Available
Wisconsin does not currently authorize remote online notarization.
Key Considerations
- Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts - Wisconsin adopted RULONA (Chapter 140 of Wisconsin Statutes)
- 3-Year Expired ID Rule - UNIQUE: Accepts government-issued IDs that are current OR expired not more than 3 years (more generous than most states requiring current or 1-year expired)
- No Wisconsin Residency Requirement - UNIQUE: Must be U.S. resident but NOT required to reside in Wisconsin (many states require state residency)
- Permanent Attorney Commission - Wisconsin-licensed attorneys eligible for permanent commission (no expiration if law license active, no bond required, $50 fee vs. $20 for 4-year)
- Attorney Commission Benefits: No bond required, permanent (doesn't expire), revoked only if law license suspended/revoked
Regulatory Authority
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions - Notary Division
Visit official websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
Wis. Stat. § 140.01
Definitions
Wis. Stat. § 140.02
Notaries - Appointment and qualifications
Wis. Stat. § 140.03
Application
Wis. Stat. § 140.04
Authority to perform notarial acts
Wis. Stat. § 140.05
Requirements for certain notarial acts - Acknowledgments
Wis. Stat. § 140.06
Requirements for certain notarial acts - Verifications on oath or affirmation (Jurats)
Wis. Stat. § 140.07
Requirements for certain notarial acts - Signatures
Wis. Stat. § 140.08
Personal appearance required - Identity verification
Wis. Stat. § 140.10
Notarial act in this state
Wis. Stat. § 140.11
Official stamp
Wis. Stat. § 140.12
Stamped envelope
Wis. Stat. § 140.13
Certificate of notarial act
Wis. Stat. § 140.145
Notarial acts regarding electronic records and remote notarization
Wis. Stat. § 403.505
UCC Article 3 - Protests (negotiable instruments)
Wis. Stat. § 765.16
Marriage contract, how made; officiating person (notaries NOT authorized)
Wis. Stat. § 887.03
Depositions
Wis. Admin. Code DFI-CCS Ch. 25
Remote Notarization Administrative Rules
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in Wisconsin?
A Wisconsin notary public commission is valid for 4 years from the date of issue. Renewal requires reapplying through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions - Notary Division before the term expires.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin charges $20 as the application fee to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions - Notary Division. Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does Wisconsin require a notary bond?
Yes. Wisconsin requires a notary surety bond of $500. 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions - Notary Division.
Can Wisconsin notaries perform remote online notarizations?
No. Wisconsin does not currently authorize remote online notarization. In-person notarization remains the only recognized method, though state law in this area changes rapidly — verify with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions - Notary Division before declining a remote request.
What identity verification methods can Wisconsin notaries use?
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin cap notary fees?
Yes. Wisconsin sets statutory maximum fees per notarial act. Charging more than the cap is a violation and may result in commission discipline. Maximum $5.00 per notarial act (applies to traditional, IPEN, and RON notarizations); travel fees not capped (may be negotiated separately by prior agreement with client); notary may charge less or nothing; may not exceed $5.00 statutory limit per notarial act; travel/service fees separate from notarial act fee
Who regulates notaries in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin notaries are commissioned and regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions - Notary Division. Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
Does Wisconsin authorize in-person electronic notarization (eNotarization)?
Yes. Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin notaries perform?
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
Start your application through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions - Notary Division.
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