Online notarization is legal in Michigan. The Michigan Law on Notarial Acts lets a Michigan notary perform remote electronic notarizations through a platform approved by the state, with a fee cap of $10 per notarial act. The notary must be physically in Michigan, while the signer may be elsewhere if certain conditions are met. Michigan signers can also use a remote online notary commissioned in another state.
This guide covers the Michigan rules, what online notarization costs, how a session works on a platform such as BlueNotary, and the Michigan-specific limits worth knowing before you sign.
Is online notarization legal in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan authorizes remote electronic notarization under the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts, Act 238 of 2003, as amended. A Michigan notary must use a remote platform approved by the Secretary of State and must be physically located in Michigan. The signer may be outside Michigan when the document has a qualifying Michigan connection.
The statute is available from the Michigan Legislature. Section 55.286b sets the requirements for remote electronic notarization platforms, and it says a notary may not use a remote platform that has not been approved.
The Michigan Department of State’s guide to electronic and remote notarial acts explains the practical side: a notary selects a system from the state’s approved vendor list, must be physically in Michigan during a remote notarization, and may serve signers located in any state or country who appear on video.
What if the signer is outside Michigan?
For a Michigan-commissioned notary, an out-of-state signer must state where they are and meet a Michigan connection test. Under the statute, the signer represents that they are in Michigan, or that they are outside Michigan and the record relates to a Michigan court or government matter, or involves Michigan property or a transaction substantially connected to Michigan.
The notary also must not know that the signing is prohibited where the signer is located. These conditions apply to Michigan notaries. If you use a notary commissioned in another state, that state’s rules on signer location apply instead.
How much does online notarization cost in Michigan?
Michigan caps a Michigan notary’s fee at $10 per notarial act, and the Department of State says the cap is the same whether the act is on paper, electronic, or remote. Platforms that use notaries commissioned in other states price by their own fee schedules. BlueNotary pricing starts at $25 for one notarization with one stamp.
| Fee item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum fee per notarial act, Michigan notary (any method) | $10 | Michigan Law on Notarial Acts; Michigan Department of State guide |
| BlueNotary notarization with one stamp | $25 | BlueNotary fee schedule |
| BlueNotary additional stamp | $8 | BlueNotary fee schedule |
| BlueNotary additional signer | $5 | BlueNotary fee schedule |
| BlueNotary witness service | $10 | BlueNotary fee schedule |
The difference between the two figures reflects who performs the act. Michigan’s $10 cap governs Michigan-commissioned notaries. An out-of-state notary on a national platform follows the fee rules of their own commissioning state, and the platform’s published price covers the session. Choose based on what your receiving party accepts, then compare total cost.
What are Michigan’s key rules for remote notarization?
Michigan’s rules focus on approved technology, the notary’s location, identity verification, and records. The table below summarizes what applies when a Michigan notary performs a remote electronic notarization.
| Topic | Michigan rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | Michigan Law on Notarial Acts, Act 238 of 2003, including MCL 55.286b | Michigan Legislature |
| Platform | Must be approved by the Secretary of State | MCL 55.286b |
| Notary location | Physically in Michigan | Michigan Department of State guide |
| Signer location | In Michigan, or outside Michigan with a qualifying Michigan connection | MCL 55.286b |
| Fee cap | $10 per notarial act, any method | Michigan Law on Notarial Acts |
| Records | Journal of remote acts and retention of the audio-visual recording under MCL 55.286b | MCL 55.286b |
| Copy certification | Michigan notaries do not certify copies as an official notarial act | National Notary Association |
Can a Michigan notary certify a copy of a document?
No. According to the National Notary Association, Michigan does not allow notaries to certify copies of documents as an official notarial act. For a certified birth, death, or marriage record, order it from the issuing office. For a private document, ask the receiving party whether a notarized statement by the document holder would be accepted.
How does online notarization work with BlueNotary?
BlueNotary is an online notarization platform that connects signers with commissioned notaries over live video. You upload the document, verify your identity, meet the notary, sign electronically, and download the notarized file. Returning users can start a new session by signing in to their existing account.
- Confirm acceptance. Ask the receiving party whether it accepts remote online notarization and whether it requires a Michigan-commissioned notary.
- Start a session. Begin from the BlueNotary homepage, or sign in to your existing account.
- Upload the document. Keep it unsigned. BlueNotary accepts PDF, DOCX, and common image files up to 30 MB, according to its document requirements page.
- Verify your identity. Scan a current government-issued photo ID and complete the identity questions or biometric check.
- Meet the notary and sign. The notary confirms your identity and willingness, you sign electronically, and the notary applies an electronic signature, seal, and certificate.
For more detail on each stage, see BlueNotary’s guide to how online notarization works, or its overview of remote online notarization.
What documents does BlueNotary not accept?
BlueNotary’s help center lists three exclusions: documents being submitted to a foreign embassy, codicils and testamentary trusts, and Form I-9. It also advises checking with your receiving party, because acceptance of a remote notarization is always at that party’s discretion.
Should you use a Michigan notary or an out-of-state online notary?
Use a Michigan-commissioned notary when the receiving party specifically requires one or when a Michigan court, agency, or lender directs you to. Use an out-of-state online notary on a national platform when the receiving party accepts it and you want on-demand availability. In both cases, confirm acceptance before you sign.
| Your situation | Suggested route | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Private affidavit, consent form, or business authorization | Online notary on a national platform | Widely accepted and available on demand |
| Michigan agency or court requires a Michigan notary | Michigan-commissioned notary, in person or remote | Meets an in-state requirement |
| Michigan real estate transaction | Ask the title company or lender first | Recording and closing rules vary by transaction |
| Need a certified copy | Issuing agency or custodian statement | Michigan notaries do not certify copies |
| Wet-ink signature or paper original required | In-person notary | An electronic notarization would not meet the requirement |
If you are a Michigan notary who wants to offer remote notarizations, BlueNotary’s guide to becoming a remote online notary in every state includes the Michigan steps.
Questions about your Michigan document or online notary costs in Michigan? Email the BlueNotary team at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Is online notarization legal in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan authorizes remote electronic notarization under the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts. Michigan notaries must use a state-approved platform and be physically in Michigan, and out-of-state signers must meet the statute’s Michigan connection conditions.
How much does a Michigan notary charge for a remote notarization?
No more than $10 per notarial act. The Michigan Department of State says the cap is the same for paper, electronic, and remote notarizations. National platforms using notaries commissioned elsewhere publish their own prices, such as BlueNotary’s $25 for one stamp.
Can I use an online notary if I live in Michigan but the notary is in another state?
Usually, yes. The notary follows their commissioning state’s law, and many receiving parties accept it. Some Michigan offices may require a Michigan notary, so ask before you sign.
Can a Michigan notary notarize for someone in another country?
Yes, if the signer appears on video and the statute’s conditions are met: the record must relate to a Michigan matter, property, or transaction, and the notary must not know the signing is prohibited where the signer is located.
Can a Michigan notary certify a copy of my diploma?
No. Michigan does not allow notaries to certify copies as an official notarial act. Ask the school for an official copy, or ask the receiving party whether a notarized statement by the document holder is acceptable.
What does BlueNotary cost for multiple documents?
BlueNotary’s published fee schedule lists $25 for the first stamp and $8 for each additional stamp, with $5 per additional signer. The total depends on how many notarial certificates your documents require.
Ready to notarize your document? Start your online notarization with BlueNotary and meet a commissioned notary on live video from anywhere in Michigan.
