How to Become a Notary in Alaska

How do I renew my notary commission in Alaska?

The renewal application process is the same as the initial notary commission application process for a notary public. If you are renewing your notary public commission, the Office of Lieutenant Governor recommends that you submit your notary commission application thirty days before the current commission expires if you wish to retain the same month and day as your current commission. Click here to renew your Alaska notary public commission online or download the Alaska Notary Public commission application to renew by mail.

Who appoints notaries in Alaska?

The Office of Lieutenant Governor receives applications for appointment and reappointment as a notary public, processes the applications for limited governmental notaries public, administers the commissioning process for all notaries public, and maintains the Notary Database Online. To contact the Office of Lieutenant Governor:

Office of Lieutenant Governor
Notary Office
P. O. Box 110015
Juneau, AK 99811
(907) 465-3509 or (877) 764-1234 (toll-free within Alaska)
Email: notary@alaska.gov

Can a non-resident of Alaska apply for a commission as a notary public?

No. A notary applicant must meet the residency requirement to qualify for a notary commission in Alaska. Residency is defined as being physically present in the state with the intent to remain in the state indefinitely and to make a home in the state.

How long is a notary public's commission term in Alaska?

The term of office for an Alaska notary public is four years commencing with the date specified in the notary public commission [AS §44.50.010(b)]. However, a notary’s commission may be rendered void:   

1. By resignation, death, or revocation.
2. When a notary public ceases to reside in the state of Alaska during his or her commission term.
3. When a notary public has been convicted of a felony offense that has become final and no pardon or certificate of restoration of citizenship rights has been granted.

Note: The term of a limited governmental notary public commission coincides with the term of government employment.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Alaska?

No. The Alaska notary statute does not require new applicants seeking an appointment as a notary public or renewing their notary public commissions to take a course of study or examination. However, the American Association of Notaries recommends that all notary applicants take and complete an educational course of study so they can clearly understand the state notary laws, the notarial duties and responsibilities, and the general principles and practices of an Alaska notary public.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Alaska?

The cost to become a notary in Alaska is as follows:

1. The filing fee to process a notary commission application ($40).
2. A $2,500 notary bond ($45-$50; prices vary depending on the bonding surety company).
3. A fee to have the oath of office notarized.

Other expenses include the cost of purchasing:

1. A notary seal (available from $21.95 from AAN).
2. A notary journal (available from $11.95 from AAN).
3. An errors and omissions insurance policy to protect yourself if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you.  (This step is optional.)

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Alaska?

A notary errors and omissions insurance policy is not required to become an Alaska notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Alaska notary obtain a notary errors and omissions insurance policy. This insurance protects you if a client sues you as a notary. A notary errors and omissions policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages up to the policy limit.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Alaska?

Yes. A person applying for a commission as a notary public without limitation under AS 44.50.010(a)(1) shall execute an official bond of $2,500 and submit the bond with the application under AS 44.50.032. The bond must be for a term of four years from the date of commission.

A notary bond protects the public from any fraud, mistakes, or misconduct on the part of the notary. If a member of the public files a claim against a notary’s bond, the bonding company is very likely to sue the notary to recoup the funds it paid on the notary’s behalf. A notary bond does not protect notaries from mistakes they make. This is why notary errors and omissions insurance (commonly known as “E&O” or “E&O insurance”) is vital.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Alaska?

The Alaska notary statute requires all notaries public to use a notary seal. Section 44.50.064 of the Alaska Statutes provides the legal specifications regarding the layout and the information required on a notary public’s official seal.

Notary Seal Dimensions: The inked seal or embosser seal may be:

1. A circular form not over two inches in diameter.
2. A rectangular form not more than one inch in width by two and one-half inches in length.

Required Elements of a Notary Seal: A notary public’s official seal must be photographically reproducible when embossed, stamped, or printed on a document, and it must contain the following:

1. The name of the notary public exactly as indicated on the notary public’s commission certificate.
2. The words “Notary Public.”
3. The words “State of Alaska.”  
4. Optional: “My commission expires (date).”

NOTE: Section 09.63.030(c) states, “If the document is sworn to or affirmed before a notary public of the state, the notary public shall affix on the document the:

• Notary public’s official signature and official seal.
• Date of expiration of the notary public’s commission.”

A notary embossed seal impression that is not photographically reproducible may be used in addition to, but not in place of, the seal impression or depiction required by Section 44.064(a).

A notary public may use a seal in electronic form on electronic documents notarized by the notary public as authorized by regulations adopted by the Lieutenant Governor [AS §44.50.065(d)].

A notary public’s official seal must be affixed on the notarial certificate near the notary’s official signature and only at the time the notarial act is performed. A notary public is prohibited from affixing an official notary seal to a document unless the person who is to sign the document appears and signs the document before the notary public, except as provided by AS §44.50.075 (remotely located individuals).

Very Important: 

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and seals at savings of up to 40% or more compared to the price of the same products elsewhere, Click here to order your Alaska notary stamp, complete notary package, and other notary supplies. 

What are the steps to replace my lost or stolen notary seal in Alaska?

If the notary public’s official seal is stolen, lost, or the security of the notary’s official electronic seal is compromised, the notary public must provide a written notification to the Lieutenant Governor within ten days of the theft, loss, or compromised security [AS §44.50.064(d)].

After notifying the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in writing, it is recommended that the notary purchase a new seal with a distinct difference.  The notary can also choose to end the current commission so that the commission number is no longer active and re-apply for a new notary commission.

Click here to order an Alaska notary stamp, complete notary package, and notary supplies from the American Association of Notaries.

How much can an Alaska notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

Alaska notaries public have discretion to set their own fees for their notarial services. However, Section 44.50.062(4) of the Alaska Statutes states, “A notary public may not charge a fee for a notarial act unless a fee schedule has been provided to the signer before the performance of the notarial act.” If a notary public intends to collect a fee for his or her notarial services, he or she must provide the document signer with a published fee schedule prior to the performance of the notarial act.

Is a notary journal required in Alaska?

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery and fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices.

Notary journal requirements in Alaska:

• For Traditional Notarizations – Alaska does not require traditional notaries to maintain a notary journal for the notarial acts they perform. However, the lieutenant governor highly recommends that all notaries maintain a notary journal for all in-person notarial acts. An Alaska notary public can maintain a journal on a tangible medium or in an electronic format.
• For Remote Online Notarizations – Notaries in Alaska performing remote online notarizations are required under AS 44.50.075 to maintain a journal to record all remotely performed notarial acts. An Alaska notary public can maintain a journal on a tangible medium or in an electronic format.

The American Association of Notaries offers a wide variety of notary journals.  

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal. 

Click here to become a member and access our electronic notary journal. 

What information must Alaska notaries record in their notary journals?

For Traditional Notarizations – Although notaries performing traditional notarizations are not required to maintain a notary journal, they should follow best practices and record the following information:

1. The date and time of the notarial act.
2. The type of notarial act.
3. A description of the document being notarized.
4. The printed name and address of the signer.
5. The method by which the signer was identified.
6. The fee charged, if any.
7. Any additional information that may assist the notary in recalling the notarial act performed.  

 

For Remote Online Notarizations – Notaries performing remote online notarizations are required to record the following information:

1. The date and time of the notarial act.
2. A description of the record, if any, and type of notarial act.
3. The full name and address of each individual for whom the notarial act is performed.
4. If the identity of the individual is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect.
5. If the identity of the individual is based on satisfactory evidence: a brief description of the method of identification and the identification credential presented, if any, including the date of issuance and expiration of the identification credential.
6. The fee, if any, charged by the notary public.

What steps should I take if my Alaska notary journal is lost or stolen?

If a notary public’s journal is lost or stolen, the notary public must promptly notify the lieutenant governor upon discovering that the journal was lost or stolen.

How long should I retain my Alaska notary journal?

As an Alaska notary public, you must retain your journal for ten years after the performance of the last notarial act chronicled in the journal.

Upon resignation from, or revocation or suspension of, your notary public commission, you must retain your journal for ten years after the performance of the last notarial act chronicled in the journal and inform the lieutenant governor where the journal is located.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Alaska?

An Alaska notary public has statewide jurisdiction and may perform notarial acts in any county anywhere within the geographic borders of the state of Alaska. Likewise, an Alaska notary public may not perform notarial acts outside of Alaska.

What notarial acts can an Alaska notary public perform?

An Alaska notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts, whether performed with respect to a tangible or electronic record:

1. Taking acknowledgments.
2. Administering oaths and affirmations.
3. Attesting documents.
4. Taking verifications on oath and affirmation (AS §09.63.040).
5. Administering protests [AS §45.03.505(b)].

Can I perform electronic notarizations in Alaska?

No. Alaska notaries are only allowed to perform in-person notarizations and remote online notarizations.

Can I perform remote online notarizations in Alaska?

Yes. As of January 1, 2021 HB 124 went into effect. Updated statutes allow for a commissioned notary to be able to request approval to perform notarial acts for remotely located individuals. In order to perform this added capability, a notary must select a technology vendor that can meet the standards set by 6 AAC 88 Notarizations.

How do I become a remote online notary in Alaska?

To become a remote online notary in Alaska, follow the steps listed below:

1.  Submit a written request to the office of the lieutenant governor. Written requests must include:

• Your name as it appears on your commission certificate.
• Your commission number.
• A description of the technology vendor/provider you selected to perform remote online notarial acts.
• A copy of your electronic signature as well as stamp/seal to be used to perform the remote online notarization on the provider’s platform.
  
  Acceptable written requests can be sent via email to notary@alaska.gov.
   

2.  Pay $100 at the time of your initial request following approval of a four-year commission, or $25 per remaining year of your pre-existing commission, to the State of Alaska.

3.  Make sure that the communications technology you intend to use to perform notarial acts for remotely located individuals conforms to the standards established by the lieutenant governor by adopted regulations.

4.  Act in accordance with the requirements, powers, and duties of a notary public under Title 44, Chapter 50 of the Alaska Statutes and the remote notarization provisions.
 

For additional information regarding a notary public’s approval to perform notarial acts with respect to remotely located individuals, visit the Office of the Lieutenant Governor's website.

Do I need an electronic notary stamp to notarize electronically in Alaska?

Yes. The Alaska notary statute requires all notaries public to use a notary seal. Section 44.50.064 of the Alaska Statutes provides the legal specifications regarding the layout and the information required on a notary public’s official seal.

Notary Seal Dimensions: The electronic seal may be:

1. A circular form not over two inches in diameter.
2. A rectangular form not more than one inch in width by two and one-half inches in length.

Required Elements of a Notary Seal: A notary public’s electronic official seal must contain the following:

1. The name of the notary public exactly as indicated on the notary public’s commission certificate.
2. The words “Notary Public.”
3. The words “State of Alaska.”  
4. Optional: “My commission expires (date).”

How do I update my address on my Alaska notary commission?

If your mailing address, physical address, or contact information changes, you have to notify the lieutenant governor by submitting a Name and Address Change Form within thirty days of the change.

Complete and submit a signed Name and Address Change Form by mail, email, or fax (907) 465-5400. Notarization is not required if you are not changing your name.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Alaska?

If your name changes during your commission term, within thirty days of the name change you must:

1. Obtain a new identification card in your new name.
2. Fill out the Name and Address Change Form completely.
3. Have your signature on the oath of office notarized.
4. Pay a $5 filing fee.
5. Mail the completed and notarized name change form to the address indicated in the instructions (no fax or email copies accepted).

When you receive your updated commission certificate reflecting your new name, you must:

1. Purchase a new notary seal that reflects your new name.
2. Notify the surety/bonding company responsible for your notary bond of the new name change and update the notary bond.
3. Obtain a bond rider that reflects your new name.
4. Mail the name change bond rider to the lieutenant governor.

Revised:

August 2023