Each county in Alabama has different rules that are set by probate judges of each county themselves. They will set and dictate the application rules and procedures for how to become a commissioned Notary. These are the general step-by-step instructions for Alabama residents who are interested in becoming a Notary Public:
- Make sure you meet all of your state’s qualifications (see below).
- Complete your application form.
- Obtain a $25,000 surety bond.
- Submit your application and bond to your county probate judge for approval. There may be a charge of $10 as an application fee.
- The county will send your commission and application information to the Secretary of State.
- Obtain your Notary seal (inking stamp or embosser).
- Obtain a Notary journal and E&O insurance (optional, but strongly recommended).
- Continue your Notary education or consult Notary experts for guidance. We might recommend finding a notary mentor (optional, but strongly recommended).
Requirements to be a Notary in Alabama
A Notary Public applicant in Alabama is required to meet the following requirements:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Possess all legal requirements to be an officer in the state
- Be a resident of the county in which they are applying
- Not have been convicted of a felony, unless this has been expunged from your record, and your civil and political rights have been restored
Can Notaries from another state apply to be a notary in Alabama?
A resident of another U.S. state, who may work in Alabama, is not able to apply for an Alabama Notary commission.
How long does it take to Receive an Alabama Commission?
The Alabama Department of State recommends allowing four to six weeks for the processing of a Notary Public commission application.
How long does an Alabama Notary commission last?
The Alabama Notary commission term lasts for four years from when it is processed.
Are Alabama notaries required to take an exam?
There is no state-proctored required exam in the state of Alabama. An appointing judge might ask a Notary to pass a test at the judge’s discretion, but this is very rare.
What kind of training do Alabama notaries need to take?
As stated above, an applicant for a Notary appointment must pass a qualifying course is at the discretion of the appointing county probate judge.
For self-starters, the NNA recommends video highlights of the Alabama Secretary of State’s 2009 and 2010 Notary Public Conferences — including a session on “Notary Best Practices” by National Notary Association executive and expert William Anderson — which are available to all on the Secretary of State’s website (We were unable to locate these). We do recommend checking around YouTube for informative valuable videos like the one below on the Alabama Notary Handbook.
What is a surety bond and why is it required for Alabama Notaries?
Alabama Notaries are required to purchase a $25,000 surety bond from an authorized company to protect signers against financial damages resulting from any negligence or misconduct on the part of the Notary. You can think of this as protection for your clients. A surety bond is a financial guarantee that the Notary will fulfill their obligations to notarize in compliance with state laws.
This Notary bond does not specifically protect the Notary. Any damages paid from the bond go to cover any signer’s losses and must be paid back to the surety company by the notary.
Notaries can insure themselves against possible legal costs or damages by purchasing a separate, optional, but highly recommended errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy. Though E&O insurance is not required by law, an E&O policy covers a Notary’s legal fees and damages for negligence and misconduct up to the amount of the policy. Please check the terms for any E&O insurance you are thinking about purchasing.
Are you able to become an Online Notary in the state of Alabama?
Alabama’s Online Notary laws have not quite caught up to the rest of the United States’.
As of July 1, 2021, Alabama Notaries can perform remote notarizations for acknowledgments only. The requirements to become an Online Notary in AL are:
- Hold an existing commission as a traditional Notary Public.
- Select videoconferencing technology that meet Alabama state requirements.
Remote notarizations in Alabama still require Notaries to use a wet ink signature on the document, digital tools such as a digital certificate or electronic signature are not required.
To read more about Online Notarization law in Alabama you can read through Senate Bill 275. While remote notarization in Alabama previously was only allowed for attorneys, this capability has since been opened for all notaries.
How does Online Notarization work in Alabama
Alabama uses a hybrid of remote online notarization and remote ink-signed notarization. Before the notarization can begin, the signer must send the documents to be notarized to the Notary.
At the time of the notarial act, the signer may either appear through the use of videoconferencing technology. The Notary verifies the signer’s identity through either
- Personal knowledge (Knowledge Based Authentication) OR
- Two valid forms of government-issued IDs (including a photo and signature). There needs to be a process to verify the signer’s identity via public and private data sources. Most RON platforms will provide this service.
Once the signers identity is confirmed along with the signer’s awareness and willingness to sign, the Notary will inspect the document for any blanks, complete the notarial certificate wording, apply their stamp, and signs the document.
If the notarization is performed remotely, the Notary is required to save an audio-video recording of the transaction.
Do Alabama Online Notaries require a Second Surety Bond?
No, Alabama Notaries are not required to purchase a second surety bond in order to perform remote notarizations. That said, we highly recommend checking with your current bond provider to ensure remote notarizations are included in your current coverage.
