How to Become a Notary in Utah

How do I renew my notary commission in Utah?

---

To renew your notary commission in Utah, follow the same steps you took when you applied to become a notary the first time. You may renew your notary commission up to ninety days before your current commission term expires.

If your legal name changes during your notary commission, you must create a new account on the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s website to proceed with a notary application for reappointment.

To apply for reappointment as a notary public, go to the Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor's website at https://secure.utah.gov/account/log-in.html.

Who appoints notaries in Utah?

---

The lieutenant governor commissions applicants as notaries public. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor issues the Certificate of Authority of Notary Public to Utah notaries.

Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Notary Office
PO Box 142325
350 N. State Street, Suite 220
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2325
Phone: 801-538-1041
Fax: 801-538-1133

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

---

Yes. A non-resident notary applicant can apply to become a Utah notary public if the applicant has had a primary place of employment in Utah for at least 30 days [UCA 46-1-3(2)(b)].

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

---

The term of office of a Utah notary public is four years. A notary cannot notarize documents after their notary commission expires without first renewing their notary commission.

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

---

Yes. All new notary applicants and notaries renewing their commissions in Utah must pass the online notary test with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The online test consists of thirty-five multiple-choice questions totaling sixty-five points. Notary applicants must score sixty-one points or higher in order to apply for a notary commission.

To take the initial online test, each applicant must create an account on the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s website. A notary applicant can view the notary test results after paying a $95 administrative and test fee. Applicants who fail the initial online notary test have thirty days after the first test date to retake the online test for a $40 fee. After thirty days, the applicant is required to pay the administrative and testing fee of $95, submit a new notary application, and take the notary test. The administration fee and testing fees are non-refundable.

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

---

To become a notary in Utah, you will need to:

1. Pay a $95 testing and administrative fee to take the notary test and to submit your notary application on the Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s website.
2. Pay a $40 testing fee to retake the test (if applicable).
3. Purchase a four-year, $5,000 notary bond.
4. Pay a fee to have your oath of office notarized by a Utah notary.

Other expenses include:

• The fee to have your Certificate of Authority of Notary Public notarized by a Utah notary.
• The cost of purchasing a Utah notary stamp. Click here to view our notary stamp prices.
• The cost of purchasing a Utah notary journal. Click here to view our notary journal prices.
• The cost of an errors and omissions insurance policy (optional). This insurance policy is designed to protect you if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you.

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

---

A notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not required to become a notary public in Utah or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Utah notary obtain a notary E&O insurance policy. A notary E&O policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage you select as a Utah notary public.

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

---

Yes. All Utah notary applicants are required to maintain a four-year, $5,000 notary bond. The notary bond protects the public from notary errors.

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 Utah?

---

Yes. The Utah notary statute requires all notaries public to use a notary official seal to authenticate all their official acts. Utah Code Annotated 46-1-16 provides the legal specifications regarding the layout and the information required on a notary official seal.

A notary official seal must:

• Contain the following elements:
  1. The notary public’s name exactly as indicated on the notary’s commission
  2. The words “Notary Public”
  3. The words “State of Utah”
  4. The words “My Commission Expires on (commission expiration date)”
  5. The notary’s commission number exactly as indicated on the notary’s commission
  6. A facsimile of the great seal of Utah
• Have a rectangular border no larger than one inch by two and a half inches surrounding the required words and official seal.
• Be in purple ink.
• Make a sharp, legible, and photographically reproducible impression.
   

Note: A Utah notary may use a notary seal embosser that is not photographically reproducible in addition to, but not in place of, the photographically reproducible official seal required in UCA 46-1-16.

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

What are the steps to replace a lost or stolen Utah notary seal?

---

If your notary seal is lost or stolen, you must send an email to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office at notary@utah.gov. You will be informed if you need to obtain a new notary commission or order a new notary seal with a distinct difference from your lost or stolen notary seal.

How much can a Utah notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

---

Utah notary fees are set by state notary statute UCA 46-1-12.

Maximum Fees for In-Person Notarizations:

• For an acknowledgment, $10 per signature
• For a certified copy, $10 per page certified
• For a jurat, $10 per signature
• For an oath or affirmation without a signature, $10 per person
• For each signature witnessing, $10

Maximum Fees for Remote Notarizations:

• For an acknowledgment, $25 per signature
• For a certified copy, $25 per page certified
• For a jurat, $25 per signature
• For an oath or affirmation without a signature, $25 per person; and
• For each signature witnessing, $25
   

Note:

• A notary may not charge a fee of more than $10 per individual for each set of forms relating to a change of that individual's immigration status. This fee limitation applies regardless of whether the notary is acting as a notary. However, this limitation does not apply to a licensed attorney (who is also a notary) rendering professional services regarding immigration matters.
• A notary must display an English-language schedule of fees for notarial acts and may display a non-English-language schedule of fees.
• A notary may charge a travel fee, not to exceed the approved federal mileage rate, when traveling to perform a notarial act if:
  (a)  the notary explains to the person requesting the notarial act that the travel fee is separate from the notarial fee in UCA 46-1-12(1) and is neither specified nor mandated by law; and
  (b)  the notary and the person requesting the notarial act agree upon the travel fee in advance.

Is a notary journal required in Utah?

---

Notary journal requirements for each type of notarization in Utah:

• In-Person Notarizations and Electronic Notarizations – Utah law does not require a notary to keep a notary journal. However, the Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor encourages notaries to record their notarizations in a notarial journal. In addition, UCA 46-1-13(1) states, “A notary may keep, maintain, and protect as a public record, and provide for lawful inspection a chronological, permanently bound official journal of notarial acts, containing numbered pages.”
• Remote Notarizations – A remote notary is required to keep a secure electronic journal of each remote notarization they perform.

A notary journal (also known as a notarial journal, official journal of notarial acts, 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 or fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices.

The American Association of Notaries offers notary journals in tangible and electronic formats.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

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

What information must Utah notaries record in their notary journals?

---

In-Person Notarizations and Electronic Notarizations - Although Utah notaries are not required to maintain a notary journal when performing traditional and electronic notarizations, they are encouraged to maintain one and to record the same information required for remote notarizations.

Remote Notarizations - Utah notaries performing remote notarizations are required to record the following information:

1. The date and time of day of the notarial act.
2. The type of notarial act.
3. The type title, or a description of the document, electronic record, or proceeding that is the subject of the notarial act.
4. The signature and printed name and address of each individual for whom a notarial act is performed.
5. The fee, if any, the notary charged for the notarial act.
6. The evidence of identity of each individual for whom a notarial act is performed, in the form of:

• a statement that the person is personally known to the notary;
• a description of the identification document and the identification document's issuing agency, serial or identification number, and date of issuance or expiration;
• the signature and printed name and address of a credible witness swearing or affirming to the person's identity; or
• if used for a remote notarization, a description of the dynamic knowledge-based authentication or biometric data analysis that was used to provide satisfactory evidence of identity under UCA 46-1-2(19)(a)(ii).
   

Note: A notary may record in the journal a description of the circumstances under which the notary refused to perform or complete a notarial act.

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

---

Tangible Notary Journal - Since tangible notary journals are optional, Utah notary laws do not address this question. We recommend you contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Electronic Notary Journal - A remote notary shall immediately notify the lieutenant governor if the notary becomes aware that the notary's electronic journal or information from the journal has been lost, stolen, or used unlawfully.

How long should I retain my Utah notary journal?

---

Tangible Notary Journal – If a notary maintains a notary journal, the Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor suggests that the notary keep the journal for a sufficient amount of time in order to be able to use it as evidence if a notarization is called into question. The nationwide standard is ten years.

Electronic Notary Journal - A remote notary is required to maintain, or ensure that a person that the notary designates as a custodian of their notary journal under UCA 46-1-15(2)(b)(i) maintains, for a period of five years, the notary journal entry information for each remote notarization the notary performs.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Utah?

---

Utah notaries are authorized to perform notarial acts while physically located anywhere within the geographic borders of the state of Utah.

What notarial acts can a Utah notary public perform?

---

A Utah notary is authorized to (UCA 46-1-6):

• Take acknowledgments
• Administer oaths or affirmations
• Perform jurats
• Certify copies
• Witness signatures

What type of notarizations are allowed in Utah?

---

Utah law allows the following three types of notarizations:

In-Person Notarization - This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. In-person notarization involves an individual signing a tangible document with an inked pen and a notary public signing and affixing an inked notary stamp impression to the tangible notarial certificate.

Electronic Notarization – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notarial officer to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. However, the notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary stamp, and an electronic notarial certificate.

Remote Notarization – The signer appears remotely before a remote online notary via audio-visual communication technology. The notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary stamp, and an electronic notarial certificate.

What are the steps to register to perform electronic notarizations in Utah?

---

To register to perform electronic notarizations in Utah, you must apply to become a remote notary. Click here to learn how to become a remote notary.

What are the steps to become a remote notary in Utah?

---

To become a remote notary in Utah, you must:

1. Hold an active Utah notary public commission.
2. Complete a Remote Notary Application.
3. Have the application notarized by an active notary public.
4. Select an approved remote notary vendor listed on the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s website.
5. Purchase a $5,000 remote notary bond or increase your current notary bond to $10,000.
6. Obtain an electronic seal and signature from your selected vendor.
7. Email the application, bond (or bond rider if you increased your notary bond), and a PDF file containing your electronic signature and seal to notary@utah.gov.
8. Pay the $50 application fee. Payment instructions will be emailed to you from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor after your documents are reviewed.
9. Wait to receive your approval by email.

For more information on becoming a remote notary in Utah, visit the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s website.

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

---

If your residential or business address on file with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor changes, you must notify that office within thirty days of a change by providing the old and new addresses to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

You can update the address for your Utah notary commission by:

1. Submitting an address change online at the Office of Lieutenant Governor’s website.
2. Informing the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of the change by:
   • Calling 801-538-1041
   • Emailing notary@utah.gov
   • Faxing 801-538-1133
    

Note: No fee is required for an address change.

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

---

Within thirty days of a name change, you must provide the lieutenant governor with the following:

• A bond policy rider. To obtain a rider, you must contact your insurance company and request a bond rider that will reflect both your previous and new notary name.
• A copy of the document reflecting the changes to your name (marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.).
• Your updated contact information reflecting your current address, phone number, and email (if applicable).
   

Email all documents to notary@utah.gov or submit them by mail to:

Lieutenant Governor’s Office
350 North State Street, Suite 220
PO Box 142325
Salt Lake City, UT 84114

Note: You are not required to change your name by adopting your spouse's surname.

Revised:

---

March 2024