Question 1

Do I take the course before I buy my bond?

Accepted Answer

No, in Indiana the bond comes first. The course and exam only unlock after you've paid the state's application fee, and you'll need your bond ready to upload with your application. Get the bond, then start the state process.

Question 2

What's the 30-day rule everyone mentions?

Accepted Answer

The 30-day clock starts the day you order your Indiana State Police criminal history record, not when you receive it. From that order date, the remaining application steps must be completed within 30 days. That's why we recommend getting your bond first and ordering the record only when you're ready to finish.

Question 3

What happens if I miss a continuing education deadline?

Accepted Answer

Your commission can be at risk, CE is a state requirement, not a suggestion. The state mails a reminder to the address on record, so keep your address current with the Secretary of State and mark your deadlines at years 2, 4, and 6.

Question 4

When exactly is my continuing education due?

Accepted Answer

The deadline to submit a continuing education course and exam is the last day of the month of your commission issuance date, every two years. CE courses may only be completed within 90 days of the due date. The state mails a reminder to the address on record, so if you move, update your address with the Secretary of State.

Question 5

Is the course online?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The state course and exam are completed online through the Indiana Secretary of State portal, self-paced. No travel, no classroom.

Question 6

How long does the whole process take?

Accepted Answer

Your bond purchase takes about 10 minutes. The state side, criminal history record, application, course, exam, and uploads, is self-paced, but the state steps must be finished within 30 days of ordering your criminal history record. The Secretary of State's final review then runs about 5-10 business days.

Question 7

Other sites sell a bare bond for $40-$50. What makes yours different?

Accepted Answer

Those are bare bonds, no E&O. The bond only protects the public; if you make a notarization mistake, the surety pays the claim and then collects it back from you. Our $50 includes $5,000 of Errors & Omissions coverage that protects you, at the same price as a bare bond. That's coverage other sites charge extra for, plus step-by-step guidance through the state application.

Question 8

What does becoming an Indiana notary really cost?

Accepted Answer

All in, about $291.32 over 8 years plus your seal: $50 to us for the bond with E&O included, then $75 application fee, $16.32 criminal history record, and $150 of continuing education ($50 at years 2, 4, and 6) paid directly to the state. We publish the whole number because nobody else does.

Question 9

Do you file the bond with the state for me?

Accepted Answer

Indiana doesn't allow it, every notary uploads their own bond through their Secretary of State account. Here's what we do instead: your bond documents are emailed the moment you purchase, and we walk you through exactly where and how to upload them. The upload takes about two minutes.

Question 10

How long is my bond good for?

Accepted Answer

Eight years, matching your commission, one of the longest terms in the country. One bond, one price, no annual renewals. Continuing education is still due at years 2, 4, and 6.

Question 11

Am I eligible to become an Indiana notary?

Accepted Answer

You must be at least 18, a legal resident of Indiana or primarily employed in Indiana, and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. You can't have a conviction or civil ruling involving deceit, dishonesty, or fraud, or a conviction with a sentence over six months.

Question 12

What has to be on my Indiana notary seal?

Accepted Answer

"Notary public," "State of Indiana," your name exactly as commissioned, "commission number" with your number, and "My commission expires" with the date. Stamp or embosser, any shape, dark ink. Because it needs your commission number, the seal is made after you're commissioned, we handle the timing when you order through us.

Question 13

What if I have questions during the process?

Accepted Answer

Click the chat in the bottom right corner anytime. Our AI assistant, Torch, handles application questions, the 30-day window, education and CE questions, and timelines 24/7. For complex situations, a real person follows up the next business day.

Terms & Conditions

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2. Eligibility

3. Bond Purchases, Fees, and Payment

4. SMS/Text Messaging Terms

5. Notary Education Disclaimer

6. Insurance and Agency Disclosure

7. No Legal Advice

8. Intellectual Property

9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

10. Governing Law

11. Changes to These Terms

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