How to become a notary public in Montana

Montana notary public licenses

Montana issues 2 notary public credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Montana notary public license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old⁵

Background check

Background check required⁴
The SOS may deny a commission for a felony or a fraud, dishonesty or deceit conviction while the person is still under supervision. A conviction is not a complete bar once full rights are restored. Commissioned notaries must report such a conviction or plea within 30 days.⁴

How to apply

Apply online

biz.sosmt.gov³

Renewal

How often

Every 4 years⁵

Who needs a Notary Public license

Performs notarial acts anywhere in Montana, charging no more than $10 per act. Can also solemnize marriages. Signers appear in person, or remotely by communication technology once the notary has notified the SOS and passed the technology course. A commission does not authorize legal advice, and non-attorneys may not use the term "notario".⁶

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Judges, court clerks and deputy clerks of Montana courts may perform notarial acts without a notary commission.⁸
• Only one Montana notary commission may be held at a time.⁵

Requirements for a Notary Public license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

At least 4 clock hours²
Notary public education approved by the Secretary of State or the Commission of Continuing Legal Education, completed within the 12 months before applying.²
Who may teach it: Approved by the Secretary of State or by the Commission of Continuing Legal Education. The SOS lists pre-approved third-party course providers under its Notary Academy.³

Exam

Montana Notary Exam³
Given by: Administered by the Secretary of State or an entity it approves²
Based on the SOS course of study covering laws, rules, procedures and ethics of notarial acts²

Residency or citizenship

U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, AND one of: a Montana resident; the spouse or dependent of military personnel on active duty in Montana; maintaining a registered place of business in Montana; regularly employed in Montana by a registered employer; or holding a current Montana professional license.⁵

Surety bond

$25,000⁵ (Bond amount (coverage). The premium is set by the surety and is not in the statute.)

Also required

Ability to read and write English.⁵

Also required

Oath of office.⁵

Also required

File your official signature with the SOS. Your stamp must show your name, title, city of residence and commission expiry date.⁹

Also required

Keep a journal of all notarial acts.¹⁰

How to apply

1. Check you qualify: 18+, U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, able to read and write English, and a Montana resident (or a military spouse/dependent stationed in Montana, someone with a registered Montana place of business, someone regularly employed in Montana, or a Montana professional licensee).⁵
2. Complete at least 4 hours of approved notary education (within the last 12 months) and pass the Montana notary exam.²
3. Get a $25,000 surety bond (or equivalent) from a surety authorized in Montana.⁵
4. Apply to the Secretary of State with your application, bond, exam/education certification, oath and nonrefundable filing fee, within 30 days before or after your bond's effective date.⁵ sosmt.gov³
5. Once commissioned (4-year term), get your stamp and a journal.⁵

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Renewal requires the exam again plus continuing education. File the application, bond, certification and fee within 30 days before or after the previous commission expires. The SOS menu says renewals are allowed within thirty days of the expiration date.⁵

Continuing education

At least 4 hours each renewal period²

Required topics

Option: at least 2 hours in each of the previous 3 years instead of 4 hours in the last 12 months.²

Approved courses

Approved by the Secretary of State or by the Commission of Continuing Legal Education.²

If it expires

You may notarize only while a valid bond (assurance) is on file with the SOS.⁵

Renew online

sosmt.gov³

Moving to Montana with a license from another state

These are the routes SOS publishes for the Notary Public license. The other notary public licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Technology-based notarization

Electronic notarization, remote notarization of paper records, and remote online notarization of electronic records using approved technology. The notary must be physically in Montana; the signer may be in Montana, elsewhere in the U.S. or, in limited cases, abroad. Remote identity proofing requires two or more SOS-approved methods. Audiovisual recordings must be kept 10 years.¹

Requirements

Education or training

Course of instruction approved by the SOS on remote and electronic notarization rules, procedures and ethics. It may be taken together with the commission course.⁷

Experience

Must be a commissioned Montana notary public.⁷
License you must hold first: Mt-notary-public-commission⁷

Exam

Examination based on the SOS-approved technology course⁷

How to apply

1. Hold a Montana notary commission.⁷
2. Choose an electronic notarization system and/or communication technology that meets SOS standards.⁷
3. Complete the SOS-approved course and pass its exam, then submit proof to the SOS.⁷
4. Notify the SOS that you will perform electronic or remote notarial acts, naming the system. Do this before your first such act.⁷ sosmt.gov³

From another state

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Notary PublicNo local license. The Secretary of State commissions all Montana notaries.¹

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a notary public in Montana, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Montana is on the Montana license lookup page.

Look up a license

biz.sosmt.gov¹¹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Mont. Code Ann. Title 1, ch. 5, part 6 (Notarial Acts), §§ 1-5-601 to 1-5-632
• Mont. Code Ann. § 1-5-619 (qualifications, commission, renewals)
• Mont. Code Ann. § 1-5-620 (examination and education)
• Mont. Code Ann. § 1-5-621 (grounds to deny)
• Mont. Code Ann. § 1-5-615 (electronic records, system selection, notification, training)
• Mont. Code Ann. § 1-5-603(9)-(13) (remote appearance and identity)
• Mont. Code Ann. § 1-5-618 (audiovisual recordings, journal)

Rule changes since January 2024

• October 1, 2025: HB 165 (2025) removed the requirement to notarize vehicle title transfers between individuals.³

Common questions

Notary public licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming