Missouri Notary cheat sheet

Missouri notary commissions are issued by the Secretary of State; the applicant files a notary application with that office and pays the required fee.

Minimum qualifications: at least 18 years old, a resident of Missouri or a resident of a bordering state who works in Missouri, and able to read and write English.

A commission term runs four years; reappointment requires a new application before the current term expires.

The applicant must be of good moral character and must not have been convicted of a disqualifying felony involving dishonesty or fraud.

A $10,000 surety bond payable to the state is required, filed with the Secretary of State, and kept in force for the full term.

A bordering-state resident must submit proof of employment in Missouri with the application.

The commission must be recorded with the county clerk in the county of the notary's principal place of business.

The notary must obtain an official seal and may begin notarizing only after the commission is issued and the bond is filed.

Missouri notaries may administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments, witness signatures, and certify copies of documents.

An acknowledgment requires the signer to appear personally before the notary and acknowledge execution of the instrument.

A jurat (verification on oath or affirmation) requires the signer to appear, be sworn, and sign in the notary's presence.

The notary must positively identify each signer through personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence such as a government-issued photo ID.

The signer must appear in person; remote or online notarization is not authorized for Missouri notaries under general law.

A notary may not notarize a document in which the notary has a beneficial or financial interest.

Signature witnessing requires the signer to sign in the notary's presence, and the notary then completes a certificate.

A notary may certify copies of original documents but may not certify copies of public records or vital records.

Every notarial act requires a certificate containing the notary's signature, the official seal, the date, and the county and state of the act.

The certificate must state the type of act (acknowledgment, jurat, copy certification) and the name of the person whose signature is notarized.

An acknowledgment certificate includes wording that the person appeared and acknowledged executing the instrument voluntarily.

A jurat certificate includes wording that the person was sworn and subscribed before the notary on a stated date.

The notary's seal must include the notary's name, the words "Notary Public," the state of Missouri, and the commission expiration date.

The notary must keep a journal of notarial acts recording the date, type of act, name of signer, and identification presented.

Records and journal entries must be retained for the period required by law and made available to the Secretary of State on request.

The notary's official signature must match the name on the commission, and the seal must be legible and photographically reproducible.

A notary may not perform a notarial act if the signer does not appear personally or cannot be positively identified.

A notary may not notarize a document affecting a transaction in which the notary is a party or has a direct financial interest.

A notary may not charge more than the statutory fee for a notarial act; excess fees are prohibited.

A notary may not use the title "notary" to advertise legal services or give legal advice, which constitutes unauthorized practice of law.

A notary may not lend the seal or commission to another person or permit another to use them.

The Secretary of State may investigate complaints, suspend or revoke a commission, and impose civil penalties for violations.

A notary who fails to maintain the required bond or files false information on the application is subject to disciplinary action.

A notary is not liable for the underlying content of a document but may be liable for negligence or misconduct in performing the notarial act.

Willful misconduct in notarizing, such as false certification or improper identification, may result in criminal penalties and civil liability.

Missouri notaries may administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments, witness signatures, and certify copies of documents.

An acknowledgment requires the signer to appear personally before the notary and acknowledge execution of the instrument.

A jurat (verification on oath or affirmation) requires the signer to appear, be sworn, and sign in the notary's presence.

The notary must positively identify each signer through personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence such as a government-issued photo ID.

The signer must appear in person; remote or online notarization is not authorized for Missouri notaries under general law.

A notary may not notarize a document in which the notary has a beneficial or financial interest.

Signature witnessing requires the signer to sign in the notary's presence, and the notary then completes a certificate.

A notary may certify copies of original documents but may not certify copies of public records or vital records.

Every notarial act requires a certificate containing the notary's signature, the official seal, the date, and the county and state of the act.

The certificate must state the type of act (acknowledgment, jurat, copy certification) and the name of the person whose signature is notarized.

An acknowledgment certificate includes wording that the person appeared and acknowledged executing the instrument voluntarily.

A jurat certificate includes wording that the person was sworn and subscribed before the notary on a stated date.

The notary's seal must include the notary's name, the words "Notary Public," the state of Missouri, and the commission expiration date.

The notary must keep a journal of notarial acts recording the date, type of act, name of signer, and identification presented.

Records and journal entries must be retained for the period required by law and made available to the Secretary of State on request.

The notary's official signature must match the name on the commission, and the seal must be legible and photographically reproducible.

A notary may not perform a notarial act if the signer does not appear personally or cannot be positively identified.

A notary may not notarize a document affecting a transaction in which the notary is a party or has a direct financial interest.

A notary may not charge more than the statutory fee for a notarial act; excess fees are prohibited.

A notary may not use the title "notary" to advertise legal services or give legal advice, which constitutes unauthorized practice of law.

A notary may not lend the seal or commission to another person or permit another to use them.

The Secretary of State may investigate complaints, suspend or revoke a commission, and impose civil penalties for violations.

A notary who fails to maintain the required bond or files false information on the application is subject to disciplinary action.

A notary is not liable for the underlying content of a document but may be liable for negligence or misconduct in performing the notarial act.

Willful misconduct in notarizing, such as false certification or improper identification, may result in criminal penalties and civil liability.

Missouri notary commissions are issued by the Secretary of State; the applicant files a notary application with that office and pays the required fee.

Minimum qualifications: at least 18 years old, a resident of Missouri or a resident of a bordering state who works in Missouri, and able to read and write English.

A commission term runs four years; reappointment requires a new application before the current term expires.

The applicant must be of good moral character and must not have been convicted of a disqualifying felony involving dishonesty or fraud.

A $10,000 surety bond payable to the state is required, filed with the Secretary of State, and kept in force for the full term.

A bordering-state resident must submit proof of employment in Missouri with the application.

The commission must be recorded with the county clerk in the county of the notary's principal place of business.

The notary must obtain an official seal and may begin notarizing only after the commission is issued and the bond is filed.