For Notaries · Montana
How to Become a Notary in Montana
To become a notary in Montana, you must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and a Montana resident able to read and write English. Complete a four-hour approved course, pass the state exam, post a $25,000 surety bond, and file your application with the Secretary of State plus a $25 fee. Commissions run four years.
Last updated: July 16, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
Montana notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State's Notary & Certifications Division, which makes the state distinctive: unlike many states, Montana requires both a four-hour approved training course and a passing score on a state notary exam before you apply. Everything is filed through the Secretary of State's online portal — paper submissions are returned unprocessed. You'll post a $25,000 surety bond, pay a $25 non-refundable filing fee, and receive a four-year commission. The upside of Montana's thorough process is that its notaries can do almost everything, including remote online notarization, which has been operative since 2019. Below is the full process, plus how to register to notarize online.
Montana Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and able to read and write English. You must be a Montana resident — or qualify through an alternative Montana tie: the spouse or legal dependent of active-duty military assigned in the state, maintaining a registered Montana place of business, being regularly employed by a Montana-licensed employer, or holding a current Montana professional license. You must also meet the education and exam requirements (1-5-620, MCA) and not be disqualified under 1-5-621, MCA. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | A $25,000 surety bond is required and must cover the full four-year commission term. Bonds are available from most Montana insurance agents and online providers, typically costing about $50–$70 for the four years. Montana requires a standardized bond form that also includes the Statement and Oath of Office, which you sign twice — once as principal and again before another notary. The bond protects the public, not you, so many notaries add optional errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance for themselves. |
| State filing fee | $25 non-refundable application fee, paid online by credit/debit card or eCheck when you submit through the Secretary of State's portal. |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Notary education | Required — at least 4 hours of approved training from a Secretary of State-approved course provider, completed within 12 months before applying. Renewing notaries need 4 hours of continuing education in the 12 months before renewal, or 2 hours in each of the 3 preceding years. |
| Exam | Required — you must take and pass the Montana Notary Exam (ARM 44.15.101). A score of 80% is passing, and the exam must be taken no more than six months before you apply. If you fail three attempts, you must wait three months before retrying. |
Montana requires a $25,000 surety bond and a $25 non-refundable filing fee for a four-year notary commission, plus a four-hour approved course and a passing state exam. — Montana Secretary of State — Applying for a Commission
How to Become a Notary in Montana: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
Be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident able to read and write English, and a Montana resident (or qualify through a Montana military, business, employment, or professional-license tie).
- 2
Complete 4 hours of approved training
Take at least four hours of Secretary of State-approved notary courses within 12 months of applying, and save the certificate of completion for each course.
- 3
Take and pass the Montana notary exam
Pass the state notary exam with a score of 80% or higher (ARM 44.15.101), no more than six months before you apply, and save your exam certificate.
- 4
Obtain your $25,000 surety bond
Buy a $25,000 notary bond (about $50–$70 for four years) using the exact name you'll notarize under, and sign the standardized bond form that includes the Statement and Oath of Office.
- 5
File your application and $25 fee
Log in to the Secretary of State's online notary portal, upload your training and exam certificates and bond, and pay the $25 non-refundable filing fee. Paper applications are returned unprocessed.
- 6
Get commissioned and start notarizing
When your application is approved, download your commission certificate, buy a compliant seal/stamp and a journal, and (optionally) register with an approved provider to notarize online.
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in Montana
Montana notaries can perform remote online notarization (RON), and Montana is one of only two states that also allow remote notarization of paper/tangible documents. The notary must be physically located in Montana; the signer can be anywhere. To register, choose an approved electronic-notarization/communication-technology provider, complete the provider's course, pass its exam, and file the Notary Public Information Update form with proof of completion.
Online / remote notary application fee: No separate state RON registration fee; you file a Notary Public Information Update form. RON platform subscription costs vary by provider.
Montana notaries may perform RON beginning October 1, 2019 (Title 1, ch. 5, MCA).
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 Montana remote online notarization process →
Need a document notarized in Montana instead? Notarize online with a Montana commissioned notary.
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Montana
Montana allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a Montana 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 Montana? | 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 Montana?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State filing fee | $25 (non-refundable) |
| $25,000 surety bond | ~$50–$70 for the 4-year term |
| Approved training + state exam | Varies by provider |
| Notary seal/stamp & journal | Varies by supplier |
| RON platform registration (optional) | No added state fee; provider subscription varies |
See costs and fees on USA Notary for platform-side details.
What a Montana Notary Can Charge
The costs above are what you pay to get commissioned — this is the other side of the ledger. Montana 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 + tech |
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 Montana 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 Montana
Commission term in Montana
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 Montana Commission Into Income
USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. How Montana notaries earn · membership cost · platform requirements · other states
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
How long does a Montana notary commission last?
Montana notary commissions are valid for four years. You can renew through the Secretary of State's online portal, but the system won't accept a renewal more than 30 days before expiration or after the 30-day grace period following expiration.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Montana?
The state charges a $25 non-refundable filing fee. Add roughly $50–$70 for the required $25,000 surety bond over four years, plus training, exam, and the cost of a seal/stamp and journal. Approved course and exam fees vary by provider.
Is a class and exam required to become a Montana notary?
Yes to both. Montana requires at least four hours of approved training within 12 months of applying and a passing score (80%) on the state notary exam taken within six months before you apply. Both certificates must be uploaded with your application.
Who appoints and administers notaries in Montana?
Notaries are commissioned by the Montana Secretary of State, through the Notary & Certifications Division. All applications, renewals, and updates are filed on the Secretary of State's online portal.
Can Montana notaries perform remote online notarization?
Yes. Montana notaries have been able to perform remote online notarization since October 1, 2019, and Montana even allows remote notarization of paper documents. To register, complete an approved provider's course and exam and file a Notary Public Information Update form with the Secretary of State.
How much can a notary charge in Montana?
Montana's maximum fee for a standard in-person notarial act is $10, per act or signature.
How much can a Montana notary charge for online notarization?
Montana's listed maximum fee for a remote online notarization is $10 + tech, against $10 in person.
When does a Montana notary commission expire?
The Montana 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 Montana 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
- Montana Secretary of State — Applying for a Commission (New and Renewal)
- Montana Secretary of State — Notary Services
- Montana Secretary of State — Technology Based Notarization (RON, IPEN)
- Montana Secretary of State — Montana Notary Exam
This guide summarizes public requirements from Montana'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.