Bonding, Application, and Filing Fee
Bonding, Application, and Filing Fee
This domain tests how an Idaho notary commission is obtained and secured. The Secretary of State administers commissions under the Idaho Notary Public Act. An applicant must meet statutory qualifications, submit a complete application, pay the application fee, file a surety bond, and take the required oath before receiving a commission. Idaho commissions run for four years; acting before the commission is issued or after it expires is a common exam failure.
Core rules
- File the application with the Idaho Secretary of State, not the county clerk.
- The application fee is $30; it is separate from the bond.
- A $10,000 surety bond is required. The bond protects the public against misconduct; it is not liability insurance for the notary.
- The bond must be executed by an authorized surety and filed as the Secretary of State requires, with the oath/application.
- Keep commission dates visible. Reappointment is not automatic; apply before expiration if you intend to continue.
- Do not perform notarial acts until the commission is effective.
Worked example
An applicant sends a $30 check, a $5,000 bond, and an application. The filing is deficient for two reasons: the bond is $5,000 short of the $10,000 requirement, and the applicant has not supplied the required oath. The fee is correct, but paying the fee does not cure a deficient bond. The applicant must obtain a $10,000 bond and complete the oath before the Secretary of State can issue the commission.
Traps
Do not confuse the $30 application fee with the $10,000 bond amount. Do not assume a bond is insurance. Do not backdate the effective date or notarize during a lapse. Check the commission expiration date on every certificate; an expired commission cannot be cured by later reappointment.