NOTARY ACADEMY
Minnesota Notary Education & Professional Development
Minnesota allows qualified applicants to become commissioned without a mandatory traditional notary course or examination. But carrying out the responsibilities of a commission requires more than completing an application.
Whether you're becoming a notary, renewing your appointment, or building a notary business, Notary Academy provides education and ongoing professional development to support your next step.
Notary Academy provides a structured path for continued learning and professional growth. The education, resources, and guidance are here to support you.
Your progress comes from how you choose to use them.
Where Are You in Your Minnesota Notary Career?
Preparing to Become a Notary
You're learning Minnesota's commissioning requirements, completing the application and oath, and preparing to register your commission with the appropriate county.
Commissioned, But Still Finding Your Footing
You're handling unfamiliar documents, identity-verification questions, certificates, client requests, and situations that require professional judgment.
Ready to Build a Stronger Business
You want to become more visible in your community, establish professional relationships, develop reliable procedures, and understand the responsibilities of offering additional authorized notary services.
Wherever you are today, your next step should support what you're actually trying to accomplish.
Understanding Minnesota Notary Requirements
Minnesota notaries public are appointed by the Governor, with applications and commission records administered through the Secretary of State.
Minnesota Statutes Chapters 358 and 359 establish traditional, electronic, and remote notarial requirements. The state also requires notaries to record their commissions with the appropriate county.
Becoming a Minnesota Notary Public
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and satisfy Minnesota's statutory eligibility requirements.
Minnesota residents may apply. Qualifying residents of Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin may also be appointed. Nonresident applicants must designate the Minnesota Secretary of State as their agent for service of process and identify the Minnesota county where their commission will be recorded.
Applicants complete the official application and oath of office and submit the $120 nonrefundable state fee.
Once appointed, notaries must record their commissions with the appropriate county. The county recording fee is $20.
Minnesota does not require a traditional notary surety bond.
A notary must obtain an official stamp meeting the state's requirements before performing notarial acts.
Minnesota Notary Education and Renewal
Minnesota does not require a mandatory traditional notary education course or state examination.
However, commissioned notaries remain responsible for understanding the laws governing identification, personal appearance, certificates, fees, and professional conduct.
Minnesota commissions expire January 31 of the fifth year following the year of appointment.
A notary may renew during the six months before expiration, ordinarily beginning August 1.
The state renewal fee is $120. A renewed commission must also be recorded with the county, with a separate $20 fee.
An expired commission requires reappointment before the notary may resume official acts.
Minnesota Stamp, Journal, and Recordkeeping Requirements
Minnesota requires an official stamp containing the prescribed state seal, notary name, designation, and commission-expiration information.
The stamp must satisfy Minnesota Statutes § 359.03.
A traditional notary journal is recommended, but not generally required.
The Secretary of State encourages journalkeeping as a record of appointments and notarial procedures.
Remote online notarization is different.
Under Minnesota Statutes § 358.645, an authorized remote online notary must maintain a secure electronic journal and an audiovisual recording of each remote act.
The journal and recording must be retained for at least ten years after the transaction or proceeding.
Electronic and Remote Online Notarization in Minnesota
Minnesota distinguishes electronic notarization from remote online notarization.
In-person electronic notarization (IPEN) involves an electronic record while the notary and signer are physically together. The notary must register electronic-notarization capability with the Secretary of State before performing these acts.
Remote online notarization (RON) permits authorized notaries to perform qualifying acts for remotely located individuals using compliant audiovisual communication technology.
Before offering RON, a notary must hold an active Minnesota commission, have completed the required county registration, register remote capability with the Secretary of State, and use technology meeting the statutory requirements.
The notary must be physically located within Minnesota during the remote act.
RON requires appropriate identity verification, electronic certificates, secure technology, an electronic journal, and audiovisual recordings.
The Secretary of State maintains information about education providers offering RON courses. A course listing should not be confused with an automatic authorization to perform remote acts.
Minnesota Notary Fees and Professional Responsibilities
Minnesota establishes statutory fee limits that depend on the authorized notarial service.
Under Minnesota Statutes § 357.17, administering an oath generally carries a maximum fee of $5. Other services, including acknowledgments and certain record-related acts, are governed by their applicable statutory provisions.
Notaries should consult the current fee schedule before setting prices rather than assume every service has an identical maximum.
Minnesota also warns that certain real estate and mortgage-closing activities may require additional licensing through the Department of Commerce.
A notary commission does not independently authorize someone to act as a licensed real estate closing agent or provide legal advice.
Responsible practice includes accurate identification, lawful fees, impartiality, complete certificates, and recognizing when a request exceeds notarial authority.
Official Minnesota Notary Resources
The Minnesota Secretary of State provides commissioning, renewal, county registration, electronic-notary, and remote-notary instructions.
Applicants and commissioned notaries should consult current official materials before applying, renewing, or providing unfamiliar notarial services.
(Click the links below)Â
Minnesota Secretary of State: Notary Public
Becoming a Minnesota Notary
Minnesota Notary Forms
Applications and authorizationsÂ
Minnesota Commission Renewal
Minnesota County Commission Recording
County recording requirementsÂ
Minnesota Electronic Notarization Authorization
Minnesota Remote Online Notarization Authorization
Minnesota Notary FAQs
Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 359
Minnesota Statutes § 358.645
Minnesota Statutes § 357.17
Your Commission Is Only the Beginning
Minnesota does not require a traditional commissioning course or examination. But obtaining your commission doesn't prepare you for every situation you'll encounter while serving the public.
What happens when a signer presents unfamiliar identification? When a document needs a certificate you're uncertain how to complete? Or when you're considering mobile or remote services and need to understand the additional legal responsibilities?
These situations call for accurate knowledge, practical experience, sound judgment, and reliable procedures.
Continued professional development helps you strengthen your skills and recognize the boundaries of your authority.
That's why Notary Academy has built more than a collection of educational materials. We've created a connected system of learning, practice, professional guidance, and implementation resources to help you continue developing beyond your commission.
But having a path forward and actually moving forward are two different things.
Your responsibility is to participate, apply what you're learning, and take the next step.
Your commission authorizes the work. What you learn and implement afterward shapes how you perform it.
Professional Development That Continues Beyond the Classroom
Notary Academy is a national notary education and professional development institution founded by Kimberly Sennett in 2020.
Our educational approach connects notarial knowledge, professional judgment, practical application, and business development.
Education Grounded in the Profession
Learn from experienced notary professionals who understand the responsibilities of the commission and the realities of serving clients.
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Learning That Connects to Practice
Develop your understanding through education, real-world examples, practical resources, and opportunities to apply what you've learned.
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A Path for Continued Business Growth
Whether you're strengthening foundations, establishing business, becoming visible, or refining skills, there is a structured pathway to help identify what deserves your attention next.
"Because being commissioned is only the beginning."
What Happens After You Learn the Information?Â
Knowing the rules is one part of professional development. Learning how to apply them, practice unfamiliar situations, communicate with clients, and operate your business takes continued effort.
The Notary Academy Inner Circle brings education, practical resources, live learning, advisor guidance, and opportunities for implementation together in one ongoing membership.
Through The Implementation Path™, members can identify their current stage, find relevant learning and resources, and focus on meaningful next steps.
You don't have to figure out every next step on your own. But you do have to take those steps.
The Learning Circle, practice opportunities, and resource library are there to support your development. Their value comes from engaging with the education and putting what you learn into practice.
We've built the path forward...
Your participation is what puts it to work.
Build the Skills and Business That Fit Your Goals
Minnesota notaries serve in different professional settings. Some perform notarial acts as part of their employment, while others want to develop independent businesses, strengthen community relationships, or explore additional authorized services.
Whatever your goals, continued development involves reliable communication, organized procedures, professional relationships, and consistent visibility within your community.
Inside the Inner Circle, The Implementation Path helps members identify their current stage and focus on the work that matters most.
Strengthen Your Foundations
Develop your understanding of notarial responsibilities, procedures, compliance, and professional judgment.
Become Known in Your Community
Learn how to develop your professional presence, build local relationships, communicate your value, and become easier to find & hire.
Build With IntentionÂ
Develop business systems, evaluate your progress, practice unfamiliar situations, and make informed decisions about the future.Â
How do I become a Notary Public in Minnesota?
Does Minnesota require notary education or an examination?
When do Minnesota notary commissions expire, and how do I renew?
Does Minnesota require a notary journal?
Can Minnesota notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Does Inner Circle membership replace Minnesota's commissioning requirements?
Ready to Continue Building Beyond Your Minnesota Notary Commission?
Minnesota allows qualified applicants to become commissioned without mandatory traditional education or a state examination. Developing the professional knowledge, judgment, relationships, and business practices that support your goals takes continued learning and intentional action.
Whether you're strengthening your notarial skills, becoming more visible in your community, or building a business that fits your goals, Notary Academy provides ongoing professional development to support your next step.
"Because being commissioned is only the beginning."
Notary Academy provides the pathway, education, resources, and opportunities to strengthen your professional practice. You bring the commitment to learn, participate, and put that guidance into action.
The next step is yours to take.
