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Becoming a notary in Michigan is a relatively quick and easy process. The Michigan Notary Act sets the requirements for becoming a notary public. In addition to purchasing your $10,000 notary bond, you will need a notary seal and record book to log the notarial acts you perform.
Qualifications
In order to become a notary in Michigan, you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state. The state also requires that you pass a background check and have no felony convictions or misdemeanor offenses within the past 10 years.
You must also be able to read and write in the English language. You will need to complete an application for a notary public commission, take an Oath of Office administered by the County Clerk, and pay a $10 nonrefundable processing fee. The application can be completed online or by completing a paper form.
The application will ask you to provide your driver’s license number, your name as it appears on your driver’s license, your date of birth, and your residential and business addresses. You must sign the application with your signature, making a statement that you meet all the qualifications for becoming a notary.
In addition to completing the application, you must also obtain a $10,000 surety bond. This bond can be purchased from a licensed insurance agency or from a bonding company. Licensed attorneys in good standing do not need to file a surety bond but still need to complete steps 2-4 of the application process.
A notary is an individual who can verify the identity of signers on legal documents and can administer oaths and witness acknowledgments. Notaries are often needed when people are signing important documents such as real estate transactions, wills, power of attorney agreements, or affidavits. In many cases, a document that is not notarized cannot be used in court.
Notaries are commissioned for six- or seven-year terms that expire on the notary’s birthday. In order to renew a notary public commission, you must complete a renewal application no later than 60 days prior to the expiration of your current term.
The Michigan Law prescribes a notary public’s duties on Notarial Act. The law establishes qualifications and procedures for the commissioning of notaries, prescribes powers and duties, provides remedies and penalties for violations, and establishes recognition of acknowledgments and other notarial acts made in another state or country.
Training
Unlike some other states, Michigan does not require training for those seeking to become a Notary. Nonetheless, it’s still important for notaries to take the time to educate themselves about the state’s laws on notarial practices. Notaries have unlimited financial liability on every document they notarize and should be well-informed about the laws to protect themselves.
If you’re considering a career as a loan signing agent, you will need to be a Notary Public first. Then you’ll need to get a remote and electronic notarization system that meets the Michigan Secretary of State’s requirements. Once you have the right equipment, the Michigan SOS will need to know about it by submitting information about your system vendor through the proper form.
The next step is to complete the application for a Notary Public commission. You’ll also need to obtain a $10,000 surety bond. This is available through insurance agencies or bonding companies. Attorneys licensed in Michigan are not required to obtain a bond, but they will need to complete all the other steps. Once your applications and bond are filed, you’ll need to visit the county clerk and take an oath of office. You’ll also need to pay a $10 filing fee.
Once you have your commission, you’ll need a journal, stamp, and possibly E&O insurance (Errors & Omissions). The journal costs around $15, the bond costs about $10, and the E&O insurance will vary depending on your insurer.
As a loan signing agent, your earnings will depend on your number of signings and your average per-signature income. Generally, you can expect to earn about $150 per signature. To maximize your earning potential, taking additional Notary training or consulting trusted experts for more guidance is a good idea. Taking the time to do this will help you build your business faster and ensure that you’re always following the rules for Notaries in Michigan. There are also several online courses for people looking to become Notaries or for those already working in the industry who want to learn more about best practices.
Bonding
To obtain a notary public commission in Michigan, an applicant must complete the necessary paperwork and pay the required fees. The Secretary of State also requires notaries to maintain a $10,000 surety bond as a condition of their commission. This bond protects the public from financial losses resulting from notaries’ negligence or misconduct. Notaries must file the bond with their county clerk after completing their application.
The bonding requirements for notaries vary by state, and Michigan’s is no exception. The Secretary of State sets the standard for this requirement at $10,000, but notaries may choose to purchase a bond in an amount lower than that. The amount of the bond premium depends on an individual’s creditworthiness and other factors that determine the likelihood of the surety company assuming a loss. Notaries who are deemed less risky by the surety company will usually pay a lower bond premium.
When purchasing a bond, applicants should ensure they work with a licensed and reputable surety company. Choosing the right provider is important, as these experts can help with all aspects of the bonding process and provide assistance with fulfilling future bond obligations as needed.
As the bonding specialist for notaries across the nation, Viking offers the flexibility to customize an affordable and reliable solution to fulfill all your notary bonding needs. Our experienced team has access to a wide range of top-rated surety markets, and we can work with you to find the best available rate for your bond.
Once you’ve secured a Michigan notary bond, you’ll be ready to start your duties as a notary. The state’s commissioning department will review your application and perform a background check before sending you your notary public commission card in the mail. The card is valid for six to seven years, ending on your birthday. Once your commission is up for renewal, you’ll need to secure a new bond. To learn more about the process or to get started, contact a licensed and bonded Viking agent today! We look forward to hearing from you.
Oath of Office
An oath of office is not only a formal commitment to the duties, responsibilities, and obligations of an official’s position but also a safeguard against corruption, dishonesty, and fraud. The oath of office is often an important ceremonial gesture in a swearing-in ceremony or other public event. The extent to which an official can honor this commitment significantly impacts the efficacy of the official’s service.
Notaries are required to take an oath of office when they become commissioned, confirming that they will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of their office. In addition, Notaries must pledge not to commit any felony, misdemeanor, or other criminal offense while serving in office. House Bill 5269 strengthens existing provisions by clarifying that Notaries convicted of two or more specified misdemeanor offenses within a 12-month period while commissioned, or three such offenses within a five-year period regardless of commission status, will have their commissions revoked.
In addition to the oath of office, Notaries must abide by the State of Michigan’s conflict of interest law, which prohibits them from accepting bribes and requires disclosing personal interests in local government transactions.
To complete the process to become a notary, applicants must complete the online Notary Public Application, obtain a $10,000 surety bond (available through insurance agencies or bonding companies), and bring both the surety bond and the application to the County Clerk in their county of residence. It is recommended that applicants use the online application option for faster turnaround.
When completing the application, make sure that your signature matches the name that has been printed as your “Commissioned Name.” It is important that the printed names match exactly in order to avoid any delay in processing your application.
Once the County Clerk approves your application, you will be notified and can begin performing notarial acts. It is a good idea to purchase a Michigan notary stamp and keep a journal for recording the notarial acts you perform. You should also consider obtaining a Michigan errors and omissions insurance policy to protect yourself against unintentional mistakes or malicious claims made against you as a Notary Public.
