How to Become a Notary in Wisconsin

How do I renew my notary commission in Wisconsin?

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The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions will send you a notice of an upcoming notary commission expiration by email. The reappointment process is the same as the initial appointment process. For more information on how to renew your Wisconsin notary public commission see section titled “To become a notary in Wisconsin.”

Who appoints notaries in Wisconsin?

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The Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions appoints notaries in the State of Wisconsin.  The Department of Financial Institutions receives applications for appointment and reappointment, administers the commissioning process, and maintains an electronic database of active notaries.

Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Notary Records Section
P.O. Box 7847
Madison, WI 53707-7847
Phone: 608-266-8915
Email: DFINotary@wisconsin.gov

Can a non-resident of Wisconsin apply for a commission as a notary public?

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Yes. Any United States resident who is at least 18 years of age may apply to become a notary public in Wisconsin. “Resident” means a person who maintains a permanent dwelling place in the United States and is in fact living in the United States. Your eligibility does not depend on immigration status, but rather on whether you maintain your permanent residence within the United States and meet the other eligibility requirements for a notary commission.

How long is a notary public's commission term in Wisconsin?

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The term of office of a Wisconsin notary public is four years. However, a permanent notary public commission may be issued to an attorney licensed to practice law in Wisconsin.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Wisconsin?

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Yes. All new or renewing notary applicants seeking commissions as Wisconsin notaries public must successfully complete the Notary Public Tutorial and Exam administered by the Wisconsin Secretary of Department of Financial Institutions. Notary applicants must score 90% or higher on the exam.

After passing the notary exam, the notary applicant will receive a certificate of completion, which must be submitted with the notary application. For questions regarding the Wisconsin Notary Public Tutorial and Exam, please contact the State of Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions at DFINotary@dfi.wisconsin.gov.

Click here to access the Wisconsin Notary Public Tutorial and Exam.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Wisconsin?

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The cost to become a notary in Wisconsin includes:

1. A $20 application filing fee for a four-year notary public commission or $50 for attorneys applying for a permanent notary public commission.
2. The cost of a $500 surety bond.
3. An official notary stamp. Click here to view our notary stamp prices.
4. A notary journal (optional). Click here to view our notary journal prices.
5. An errors and omissions insurance policy (optional) to protect yourself if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you. Click here to view our notary E&O policy premiums and coverage amounts.

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Wisconsin?

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A notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not required to become a Wisconsin notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Wisconsin notary obtain a notary E&O insurance policy. This insurance protects you from a claim if a client sues you as a notary. A notary E&O policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage you select as a Wisconsin notary public.

Wisconsin notary errors and omissions insurance policies are available to order online at the American Association of Notaries website.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Wisconsin?

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Yes. All Wisconsin notary applicants are required to maintain a four-year, $500 notary bond for the duration of their notary term. The notary application must be submitted within thirty days of the effective date of the surety bond. The notary bond protects the public from a notary’s errors. If a member of the public files a claim against a notary’s bond, the bonding company is very likely to sue the notary to recoup the funds it paid on the notary’s behalf. A notary bond does not protect notaries from mistakes they make. This is why notary errors and omissions insurance (commonly known as “E&O” or “E&O insurance”) is vital.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Wisconsin?

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The Wisconsin notary statute requires all notaries public, including notary-attorneys, to affix a clear impression of their engraved official notary seal (embosser) or official notary inked stamp on every notarial certificate they complete.

The official notary stamp or seal may be of any size or shape, but must contain the information listed below:

1. The notary public’s name.
2. The words “Notary Public.”
3. The words “State of Wisconsin.”

Note: The official stamp of a notary public may include the notary public’s commission expiration date (if applicable) or "My Commission Expires _____".

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and seals at savings of up to 40% or more compared to the same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Wisconsin notary stamp, complete notary package, and other notary supplies.

What are the steps to replace a lost or stolen Wisconsin notary seal?

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If you discover that your Wisconsin notary seal is lost or stolen, you must:

1. Immediately notify the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions in writing.
2. Purchase a new stamp that has a different appearance from the previous one.
3. Complete and submit the Notary Public Address/Name/Seal Change form to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions prior to using their new stamp.

How much can a Wisconsin notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

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You may charge no more than $5 for performing most in-person notarial acts. Refer to §140.02(9) of the Wisconsin Statutes for further information.

Is a notary journal required in Wisconsin?

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Notary Journal requirements for each type of notarization in Wisconsin:  

For in-person notarizations and remote online notarizations - Wisconsin notaries are not required to record their notarial acts in a notary journal. However, the State of Wisconsin strongly recommends that all notarial acts be recorded in a journal. A notary public can maintain a journal in a tangible medium or electronic format.
 

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery or fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices.

The American Association of Notaries offers notary journals in tangible and electronic formats.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

Click here to become a member and access our electronic notary journal.

What information must Wisconsin notaries record in their notary journals?

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The Wisconsin Secretary of Department of Financial Institutions 2022 Notary Handbook (pg. 19) states, “If you decide to keep a notarial log book, include items such as date and type of notarial act, names and signatures of persons involved, and numbers from identification cards and driver’s licenses presented.”

What steps should I take if my Wisconsin notary journal is lost or stolen?

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Since notary journals are optional, Wisconsin notary law does not address this question. We recommend you contact the appropriate law enforcement agency and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions to report your lost or stolen journal.

How long should I retain my Wisconsin notary journal?

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Wisconsin notary law does not address this question because notary journals are optional. We recommend that you keep your notary journal indefinitely. 

Where can I perform notarial acts in Wisconsin?

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Wisconsin notaries public have statewide jurisdiction and may perform notarial acts in any county of Wisconsin. A notary public must be physically present in Wisconsin regardless of whether the notarization is in-person or remote.

What notarial acts can a Wisconsin notary public perform?

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A Wisconsin notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts:

1. Take acknowledgments.
2. Administer oaths or affirmations.
3. Take verifications on oath or affirmation.
4. Witness or attest signatures.
5. Certify or attest copies.
6. Note protests of negotiable instruments.
7. Take depositions.
8. Perform such other duties as by the law of nations or according to commercial usage may be exercised and performed by notaries public.

What kind of notarizations are allowed in Wisconsin?

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Wisconsin law allows three types of notarizations:

In-person notarizations – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. Traditional notarization involves an individual signing a tangible document with an inked pen and a notary public signing and affixing an inked notary stamp impression to the tangible notarial certificate.

Electronic notarizations (in person) - This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. However, the notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

Remote online notarizations – The signer appears remotely before a notary via audio-visual communication technology. The notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

What are the steps to register to perform electronic notarizations in Wisconsin?

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A Wisconsin notary public may register to perform in-person electronic notarizations by following the steps below:

1. Hold an existing notary public commission.
2. Contract with an approved communication technology provider.
3. Complete the training provided by the communication technology provider.
4. Notify the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions that they will be performing notarial acts with respect to electronic records.

What are the steps to register to perform remote online notarizations in Wisconsin?

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A Wisconsin notary public may register to perform remote online notarizations by following the steps below:

1. Hold an existing notary public commission.
2. Contract with an approved communication technology provider.
3. Complete the training provided by the communication technology provider.
4. Notify the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions that they will be performing notarial acts with respect to remotely located individuals.

How do I update my address on my Wisconsin notary commission?

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Wisconsin notaries public are required to provide notice of any change in their contact information to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions within ten days of the change. To report any changes, a notary public must complete and submit the Notary Public Address/Name/Seal Change.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Wisconsin?

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If you change your name, you have two options:

1. Continue using your current Wisconsin notary seal and continue to sign your name as it appears on your notary seal; or
2. Purchase a new notary seal with your new name and complete and submit the Notary Public Address/Name/Seal Change form.

Revised:

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July 2024