For Notaries · Alabama
How to Become a Notary in Alabama
To become a notary in Alabama, you must be at least 18, an Alabama resident, and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Complete the free state pre-commission training within 30 days, file a $50,000 surety bond, and apply through your county probate judge. Commissions run four years.
Need a document notarized instead? This guide covers becoming a commissioned notary in Alabama. If you are looking for a notary today, compare where to get a document notarized in Alabama or notarize it online in minutes.
Last updated: July 9, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
Alabama is one of the few states where you don't apply to the Secretary of State — your local Judge of Probate appoints and commissions notaries for the county where you live. The headline requirement is Alabama's $50,000 surety bond, raised from $25,000 by Act 2023-548 in 2023. Since September 1, 2023, both new and renewing applicants must also finish a free, state-prepared pre-commission training course within 30 days of applying. There is no proctored state exam, and every commission runs four years. Below we break down eligibility, the exact steps, real costs, and how Alabama's remote-notarization rules actually work.
Alabama Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | At least 18 years old, an Alabama resident, and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. You must be able to read and write English, pass a background check, and have no disqualifying criminal record. You apply in the county where you reside. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | $50,000 surety bond payable to the State of Alabama, raised from $25,000 by Act 2023-548 (SB 322), effective September 1, 2023. Buy it from an Alabama-licensed insurer and file it with your county probate office (typically within about 40 days of your appointment). Notaries already commissioned on the effective date continue under their existing bond for the remainder of that commission. |
| State filing fee | A $10 application fee paid to your county judge of probate, plus a $25 fee for issuing the commission (Ala. Code § 36-20-70). Counties add recording and bond-approval fees when the bond is recorded — for example, Mobile County's total is about $43 — so check with your county probate office for the exact amount. |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Notary education | Required. New and renewal applicants (attorneys are exempt) must complete a free pre-commission training program prepared by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute, within 30 days of submitting the application unless the probate judge extends the deadline for good cause (Ala. Code § 36-20-70; effective September 1, 2023). |
| Exam | No proctored state exam is required. An individual probate judge may request additional screening at their discretion, but Alabama does not mandate a state notary exam. |
Alabama raised its notary surety bond from $25,000 to $50,000 under Act 2023-548, effective September 1, 2023 — among the highest notary bond requirements in the nation. — Alabama Act 2023-548 (Alabama Secretary of State)
How to Become a Notary in Alabama: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
You must be at least 18, an Alabama resident, and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident who can read and write English, with no disqualifying criminal record. You apply in your county of residence and must be able to pass a background check.
- 2
Complete the free state training
Finish the pre-commission training program prepared by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute. It is free and required of new and renewal applicants, and must be completed within 30 days of submitting your application.
- 3
Obtain your $50,000 surety bond
Purchase a $50,000 notary surety bond, payable to the State of Alabama, from an insurer licensed in Alabama. The bond protects the public, not you, so consider separate errors-and-omissions coverage for your own protection.
- 4
Apply through your county probate judge
Submit your notary application to the Judge of Probate in your county and pay the fees (a $10 state fee plus a $25 commission fee by statute; county totals vary). File proof of your bond with the probate office within the county's deadline (commonly about 40 days of appointment).
- 5
Receive your 4-year commission
Once approved, the probate judge issues your commission and commission card for a four-year term. Order your notary seal or stamp and a record journal, then you're ready to notarize across Alabama.
Remote Online Notarization in Alabama (Limited)
Alabama does not permit fully electronic remote online notarization (RON). Under Ala. Code § 36-20-73.1 (added in 2021, amended by Act 2023-548 effective September 1, 2023), notaries may perform remote ink-signed notarizations (RIN): the signer appears by live audio-video conference, but the document stays a physical wet-ink paper that is mailed to the notary, who then signs and seals it by hand with an ink or embossed seal. The signer's identity is verified either by the notary's personal knowledge or by two government-issued IDs plus a review of public or private data sources; electronic signatures and seals cannot satisfy Alabama's requirements; and the audio-video session must be recorded and retained for at least seven years.
Online / remote notary application fee: No separate state fee to perform remote ink-signed notarizations; you use your standard notary commission.
Remote ink-signed notarization is authorized under Ala. Code § 36-20-73.1 (added 2021, amended effective September 1, 2023); fully electronic RON is not currently available in Alabama.
The commission, the RON registration and the platform account are three separate things — which of them you can do entirely online sorts them out.
Walk through the Alabama remote online notarization process →
Need a document notarized in Alabama instead? Notarize online with a Alabama commissioned notary.
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Alabama
Alabama permits only a limited form of remote notarization, so most work is done as a traditional notary. Here's how the two differ.
| Traditional (in-person) notary | Remote online notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|
| How the signer appears | In person, in the same room | Over a live, recorded audio-video call |
| Available in Alabama? | Yes | Limited — restrictions apply (see above) |
| What you need | Seal and journal | An approved RON platform, identity-proofing, and a digital certificate |
| Where the work comes from | Local, walk-in and mobile appointments | Nationwide — e.g. assigned online signings through USA Notary |
What Does It Cost to Become a Notary in Alabama?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State application fee | $10 (statutory) |
| Probate commission fee | $25 statutory; county totals vary |
| $50,000 surety bond | ~$35-$150 for the 4-year term (varies by insurer) |
| Pre-commission training | Free (state-provided) |
| Seal/stamp & journal | Varies by supplier |
See what USA Notary costs a Alabama notary for platform-side details.
What an Alabama Notary Can Charge
The costs above are what you pay to get commissioned — this is the other side of the ledger. Alabama caps what a notary may charge per notarial act, and here is exactly where those ceilings sit.
| Maximum in-person fee (per notarial act) | $10 |
|---|---|
| Maximum remote online notarization (RON) fee | $10 (paper only) |
A statutory maximum is a ceiling, not a price list, and it covers the notarial act only — travel, printing and after-hours convenience are quoted as separate line items. See how Alabama compares with every other state in the how Alabama fees compare across all 50 states.
Verified July 2026 against the National Notary Association "Notary Fees by State" table and primary state statutes/Secretary of State rules. Several states (WA, VA, NC) raised caps in 2023–2024. Fees are per notarial act/signature; a notary may charge less, never more. Confirm your state before relying on a figure.
Renewing Your Notary Commission in Alabama
Commission term in Alabama
4 years
No state renews a commission automatically, and notarizing on a lapsed one is treated as acting without authority — start the renewal before the date above arrives.
For timelines, typical costs, and what to do if you've already let a commission lapse, see our step-by-step notary commission renewal guide.
Turn Your Alabama Commission Into Income
USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with paid signing work — and the moment Alabama makes remote online notarization available to you, you can add assigned, paid remote signings through the platform. How Alabama notaries earn · membership cost · platform requirements · other states · compare RON platforms for Alabama notaries
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
Who commissions notaries in Alabama?
Not the Secretary of State directly. In Alabama, the Judge of Probate in your county of residence appoints and commissions notaries. The probate judge then reports your name, county, and commission dates to the Secretary of State.
How much is the Alabama notary bond?
Alabama requires a $50,000 surety bond payable to the State of Alabama. The amount was increased from $25,000 by Act 2023-548, effective September 1, 2023, making it one of the highest notary bond requirements in the country. The premium you pay an insurer is much less than the bond's face value.
Does Alabama require notary training or an exam?
Yes to training, no to an exam. Since September 1, 2023, new and renewal applicants must complete a free pre-commission training course from the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute within 30 days of applying. Alabama does not require a proctored state exam.
Can I be a remote online notary in Alabama?
Not in the fully electronic sense. Alabama authorizes remote ink-signed notarization (RIN) under Ala. Code § 36-20-73.1: the signer can appear by live audio-video, but the document stays wet-ink paper and is mailed to the notary, who signs and seals by hand. Electronic seals and signatures are prohibited, so platform-style RON is not currently available in Alabama.
How long is an Alabama notary commission?
An Alabama notary commission lasts four years from the date of your commission. You must reapply and renew (including the current bond and training) before it expires to keep notarizing.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Alabama?
Statutory fees are a $10 state application fee plus a $25 commission fee, though the total collected at your county probate office can be higher and varies by county. Add the surety bond premium (often around $35 to $150 for the four-year term) and the cost of your seal and journal. The state training is free.
How much can a notary charge in Alabama?
Alabama's maximum fee for a standard in-person notarial act is $10, per act or signature.
When does a Alabama notary commission expire?
The Alabama commission term is: 4 years. No state renews a commission automatically — once yours lapses you cannot perform notarial acts until the renewal or reappointment is complete, so calendar the expiration date and start the paperwork early.
Where to go from here
The rest of the questions are the same in every state, so they live in one place each:
- How long it takes to become a notary — application, processing queue, and the waiting you can't control.
- What it costs to become a notary — the same line items as the Alabama cost table, priced across every state.
- Notary bond vs. E&O insurance — which one is a state requirement and which is your own call.
- what a Alabama loan signing agent does and earns — the highest-earning specialization once your commission arrives.
Becoming a Notary in Other States
Requirements differ by state — here are nearby East South Central guides and other popular states. See the full 50-state directory.
About the author
Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC
CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC
Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades — personally completing more than 10,000 notarizations — and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.
Connect on LinkedInOfficial sources
- Alabama Secretary of State — Notaries Public
- Alabama Act 2023-548 ($50,000 notary bond law)
- Russell County Probate Judge — Notaries (commissioning authority, fees & training)
- Proof — Alabama Remote Notarization Status (RON/RIN cross-check)
This guide summarizes public requirements from Alabama's notary authority and is for general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm current details with your state before applying.