For Notaries · Idaho
How to Become a Notary in Idaho
To become a notary in Idaho, you must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and an Idaho resident or employee who can read and write. Post a $10,000 surety bond, file your application, and pay the $30 state fee. No exam or mandatory course is required. The commission runs a 6-year term.
Last updated: July 16, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
Idaho keeps its notary process simple and inexpensive. Commissions are administered by the Idaho Secretary of State's Notary Division, which appoints every notary in the state. You purchase a $10,000 surety bond from an insurance agent, complete the application through SOSBiz (sosbiz.idaho.gov), and submit it with the $30 filing fee. There is no required exam and no mandatory training course, though the Secretary of State offers a free online education course. Your commission lasts six years, and Idaho does not "renew" commissions, you simply reapply with a new bond. Once you have your certificate, you buy a stamping device and can begin notarizing anywhere in Idaho. You can also add remote online notarization to your commission.
Idaho Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | Be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, a resident of or employee within Idaho, and able to read and write English. Applicants must not be disqualified under Idaho Code 51-123. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | Required: a $10,000 surety bond covering the full six-year commission term, obtained through an insurance/surety agent. |
| State filing fee | $30 state filing fee. Paper (non-online) filings incur an additional $20 manual processing fee. City, county, and state employees using the commission for their job are exempt from the filing fee. |
| Commission term | 6 years |
| Notary education | Not required. The Idaho Secretary of State provides a free, non-mandatory online notary training course and handbook, but no education is required to be commissioned. |
| Exam | Not required. Idaho does not require an exam or test to apply for a notary commission. |
Idaho notaries post a $10,000 surety bond, pay a $30 state filing fee, and serve a six-year commission term, with no exam required. — Idaho Secretary of State - Notary Information
How to Become a Notary in Idaho: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
Make sure you are at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, an Idaho resident or employee, and able to read and write English.
- 2
Obtain a $10,000 surety bond
Purchase a $10,000 surety bond for the six-year term from an insurance or surety agent before you apply.
- 3
Complete the application
Fill out the Notary Public Application through SOSBiz at sosbiz.idaho.gov (or the paper form). No exam or mandatory course is required.
- 4
Submit application, bond, and $30 fee
File your application and bond with the Idaho Secretary of State and pay the $30 state fee. Paper filings add a $20 processing fee.
- 5
Get your commission and seal
Receive your Certificate of Commission, then purchase an inked stamping device. A journal is recommended but not required, and you can then notarize anywhere in Idaho.
- 6
Add remote online notarization (optional)
To notarize online, select a tamper-evident RON technology and file an 'Addition of Electronic or Remote Online Notary' amendment on sosbiz.idaho.gov.
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in Idaho
Idaho notaries may perform remote online notarizations. First be commissioned as a traditional Idaho notary, then select a tamper-evident RON technology (compliant with IDAPA 34.07.01) and file an 'Addition of Electronic or Remote Online Notary' amendment to your account on sosbiz.idaho.gov. Filing the amendment online carries no separate state fee; paper filings incur a $20 manual processing fee. You will receive an authorization certificate once approved.
Online / remote notary application fee: No separate state fee to add RON online; $20 manual processing fee applies only to paper filings.
Remote online notarization has been allowed in Idaho since January 1, 2020.
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 Idaho remote online notarization process →
Need a document notarized in Idaho instead? Notarize online with a Idaho commissioned notary.
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Idaho
Idaho allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a Idaho commission you can register to notarize for signers who appear over live video — and take on assigned online signings.
| 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 Idaho? | Yes | Available now — register once commissioned |
| 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 Idaho?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State filing fee | $30 ($20 extra for paper filings) |
| $10,000 surety bond | ~$50-$60 (varies by supplier) |
| Education / exam | $0 (not required) |
| Notary stamp & journal | Varies by supplier (~$25-$40) |
| Remote online notarization setup | $0 state fee online; RON platform subscription varies |
See costs and fees on USA Notary for platform-side details.
What a Idaho Notary Can Charge
The costs above are what you pay to get commissioned — this is the other side of the ledger. Idaho caps what a notary may charge per notarial act, and here is exactly where those ceilings sit.
| Maximum in-person fee (per notarial act) | $5 |
|---|---|
| Maximum remote online notarization (RON) fee | $5 |
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 Idaho compares with every other state in the full 50-state breakdown of what a notary costs.
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 Idaho
Commission term in Idaho
6 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 Idaho Commission Into Income
USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. How Idaho notaries earn · membership cost · platform requirements · other states
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
How long does an Idaho notary commission last?
An Idaho notary commission lasts six years. Idaho does not renew commissions, you simply reapply with a new bond and application, which you may do up to 90 days before your current commission expires.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Idaho?
The state filing fee is $30. Adding a $10,000 surety bond (roughly $50-$60) and a stamp brings the typical total to around $110-$120, depending on your suppliers. Paper filings add a $20 processing fee.
Is a class or exam required to become a notary in Idaho?
No. Idaho does not require a training course or an exam. The Secretary of State offers a free online education course and handbook, but they are optional.
Who appoints and administers notaries in Idaho?
The Idaho Secretary of State's office (Notary Division) in Boise appoints and administers all notary commissions in the state.
Can Idaho notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Remote online notarization has been allowed in Idaho since January 1, 2020. After being commissioned, you register a tamper-evident RON technology by filing an 'Addition of Electronic or Remote Online Notary' amendment on sosbiz.idaho.gov.
Do I need a surety bond to be an Idaho notary?
Yes. Idaho requires a $10,000 surety bond covering the full six-year commission term. The bond protects the public, not the notary, so many notaries also buy optional E&O insurance.
How much can a notary charge in Idaho?
Idaho's maximum fee for a standard in-person notarial act is $5, per act or signature.
How much can a Idaho notary charge for online notarization?
Idaho's listed maximum fee for a remote online notarization is $5, against $5 in person.
When does a Idaho notary commission expire?
The Idaho commission term is: 6 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 Idaho 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 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 Mountain 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
- Idaho Secretary of State - Notary Information
- National Notary Association - How to Become a Notary in Idaho
This guide summarizes public requirements from Idaho'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.