Notary Application and Commissioning: Forms, Eligibility, and Fees
What the domain covers
Iowa notary commissions are issued by the Secretary of State, not by county officials. The application collects identifying information, a signed oath, and the statutory fee. For initial and renewal commissions, Iowa charges $30 and the commission runs three years. Iowa does not require a surety bond as a condition of commissioning, and the state does not impose a pre-commission licensing examination; this study exam tests your knowledge of the filing rules and commissioning process.
Core rules
- Be at least 18 and either an Iowa resident or a resident of a bordering state who is regularly employed in Iowa.
- File the application and oath with the Secretary of State and pay the $30 fee.
- The commission is statewide and lasts three years; a commission number is issued with the appointment.
- Obtain your official stamp only after you are commissioned; the state does not supply the stamp.
- Answer the character questions accurately; a felony or dishonesty finding can affect eligibility.
Worked example
An applicant lives in Omaha, Nebraska, and works five days a week in Council Bluffs. She is not an Iowa resident, but she is a resident of a bordering state with regular employment in Iowa, so she may apply. She files the Iowa application and oath, pays $30, and receives a three-year commission. She must not notarize before the commission is effective, and she must use her Iowa commission number and expiration date on the stamp.
Traps
Do not send the application or fee to the county recorder. Do not assume a bond or a four-year term. Do not advertise or stamp as a notary before the commission is issued, and do not use a social nickname instead of the commissioned name.