If you are wondering how to renew your Indiana notary public commission, you are certainly not alone. Although they have a relatively long appointment period of eight years, notaries in the state also face some of the most complex and stringent renewal requirements in the United States.
Read on for a complete overview of the notary commission renewal process in Indiana. To make it more digestible, we will break it down into seven distinct steps.
One of the first things you should do when you begin the appointment renewal process is to ensure that you are in good standing under your current commission.
If, during your previous commission, you changed your home address, email, name, phone number or employer, you must contact the Office of the Secretary of State within 30 days to report those changes.
Furthermore, all notaries must satisfactorily complete a continuing education course every two years of active service.
Secondly, you must ask for a copy of your limited criminal history record from the Indiana State Police. Fortunately, you can do this online through the State Police Limited Criminal History Search page for a fee.
On the criminal history search site, get started by logging in or creating an account and then follow the prompts.
After receiving your report, save it to your computer because you will need to upload it as part of your state renewal application. At the Reason for Request screen, select option four: Is a candidate for public office or a public official. Results are typically available instantly.
It is also important to note that your limited criminal history report cannot be completed more than 30 days earlier than your application filing date.
Before filing your renewal application, you must also purchase an 8-year, $25,000 surety bond. You will be asked to upload a copy of this bond during the online application process through the Indiana Secretary of State.
Remember, a bond offers no protection for you. You are liable for any notarial mistakes you make during your next commission. If you want additional protection for yourself, consider buying errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.
An E&O policy is like liability insurance and protects you from paying for legal fees out of your own pocket. Learn more about our coverage options here.
Now that you’ve purchased your continuing education and your bond, you are finally prepared to apply on the official Secretary of State website.
Click the Renew Your Notary Commission button and log in to the INBiz account you used during your initial application to submit a web-based application. Renewals require an online, non-refundable application fee.
In addition to your State Police limited criminal history record and your $25,000 surety bond, you must be ready to provide an example of the signature that you will use whenever you notarize a document. This signature must match the name you used on your application.
After you pay the application fee for your commission renewal, the Secretary of State website will automatically prompt you to take the state-required course and exam.
This course and exam are mandatory for both new and renewing applicants. The exam consists of 30 questions that are either multiple-choice or true/false. You must pass the exam with a score of at least 80 percent to receive your new commission.
If you want to notarize a physical document in Indiana, you must have a valid stamp to do so. State law dictates that you must purchase a new state-approved stamp for each consecutive commission.
From cost to quality to convenience, many factors might go into your choice of a notary stamp provider. However, it is imperative to ensure that your stamp will fully comply with state law.
Any legitimate company, including us, will need a copy of your certificate of appointment before it can create your stamp.
The requirements and process for renewing a notary in Indiana can be a bit complicated, but fortunately, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Notaries.com offers a comprehensive Indiana Notary Package that provides an easy and affordable way to help with your appointment renewal. It includes your required surety bond, a state-approved self-inking stamp and a frame-worthy commission certificate.
Get exactly what you need for your new term without sacrificing savings. If you need help along the way, contact our support team.
State appointments must be renewed once every eight years.
From your Limited Criminal History Search to your official application through the Indiana Secretary of State, you can go online to complete all the steps needed to renew your notary public appointment in Indiana.
You can also conveniently order your notary supplies online and have them delivered directly to your door. Our state notary package includes detailed application instructions that walk you through the entire process.
All notaries in the state must hold a current eight-year, $25,000 surety bond.
Yes. You can renew your appointment if you act within 90 days of your current expiration date.
The total cost depends on who you choose to provide your bond and supplies. The fixed expenses to consider when renewing your commission include the application fee, the background check fee and the continuing education fee.
Find up-to-date fee information on the Secretary of State website by clicking the Notary Fees tab.
Save on your bond and supplies with an all-in-one notary package. Additionally, we offer various errors and omissions insurance coverage options starting at just $40.
