Notary Commission Guide - Minnesota Secretary Of State printable pdf download

Notary Commission Guide

From the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State

CONGRATULATIONS!

As a notary public, you are an appointed and commissioned officer that serves the public by

administering oaths and acting as an official witness to people who seek your assistance in certifying or

attesting to documents.

PERFORMING YOUR DUTIES:

NOTARY CHECKLIST:

Follow these next steps to prepare you for your duties:

You may only perform notarial acts if:

1. the document signer appears in person before

• Register your commission with the county in which

you; and

you reside. If you are not a Minnesota resident,

you may register in any Minnesota county. The fee

to register a commission with a county is $20. Visit

2. you are in the state of Minnesota at the time.

for county office locations.

NOTARIAL ACTS:

• Submit two sample signatures to the county

when registering your commission: one that

As a notary, you will likely perform the following:

includes your full name as listed on the commission

and one that is your normal signature, which you

should use to sign all notarial acts.

1. Witnessing signatures.

• Purchase a notary stamp from a stamp

2. Attesting to copies of documents. Notaries evaluate

manufacturer or office supply store. It must contain

copied documents to determine that they are complete

the state seal, the term “Notary Public,” your name

and correct reproductions of the original documents.

as it appears on your notary certificate, and the

commission expiration date. See Minnesota Statutes

359.03, subd. 3 for additional stamp requirements.

3. Certifying that the document signer swears (or affirms)

If it is ever lost or stolen, contact the Office of the

that the document contents are truthful.

Minnesota Secretary of State.

4. Providing acknowledgments, which means certifying

• Obtain a journal to keep a record of your notarial

that the signature already appearing on the

acts (optional–see “Notarial Journal” section for

document is genuine. If individuals have signed on

more information).

behalf of another person or an organization, they

must also demonstrate their authority to do so (see

• Ask your employer or insurance provider if securing

page 3 for example).

a bond or insurance is necessary.

5. Administering written oaths.

• Seek additional training and education (optional).

Visit

for more

information.

6. Administering oral oaths. Oath-takers must raise

their hand and say the oath aloud.

• Review Minnesota Statutes chapters 357, 358 and

359 at

to familiarize yourself

You may charge up to $5 for most notarial acts

with notary requirements.

(see Minnesota Statutes, section 357.17 for a list

of exceptions).

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State | Business Center & Service Counter | 60 Empire Drive, Suite 100

Retirement Systems Building of Minnesota | St. Paul, MN 55103 | 651-296-2803 | MN Relay Service 711 | notary.sos.@state.mn.us

http//notary.sos.state.mn.us

Notary Commission Guide - Minnesota Secretary Of State

Related Articles

Related forms

Related Categories