How to Become a Notary in Wyoming

How do I renew my notary commission in Wyoming?

Wyoming notaries public may re-apply for a new notary commission beginning six weeks prior to their current commission expiration dates. Notaries applying for reappointment as notaries public must follow the same commissioning procedures as they did when initially applying for appointment as a notary public, which include:

1. Reviewing the Notary Education Presentation and completing the notary public examination or taking an educational course from an approved provider.
2. Completing the prescribed application form and passing the notary public examination or including the course certificate of completion.
3. Submitting a $60 filing fee.
4. Obtaining a new official notary stamp once upon receipt of the renewed commission certificate.
5. Maintaining a tangible or electronic journal for all notarial acts.

The Secretary of State does not send out renewal reminders/applications notices. To start the Wyoming notary renewal process, download the Notary Application/Renewal Form or visit the Secretary of State’s website at https://sos.wyo.gov/Services/Notaries.aspx.

Who appoints notaries in Wyoming?

The Wyoming Secretary of State appoints notaries public, administers the commissioning process, and maintains an electronic database of active notaries. To contact the Secretary of State, use the following information:

Notary Division
Herschler Building East
Suites 100
122 West 25th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020
(307) 777-7370
Email: notaries@wyo.gov
Website: https://sos.wyo.gov/services/notaries.aspx

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

Yes. A non-resident may obtain a Wyoming notary public commission if employed in Wyoming or if a spouse or legal dependent of a member of the military on active duty in Wyoming.

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

The term of office for a Wyoming notary public is six years commencing on the date specified on the notary public commission. However, a notary’s commission may be rendered void:

1. By resignation.  
2. By death.
3. By revocation.  
4. By expiration of the notary public’s commission.
5. By adjudication of incompetency.
6. When a notary is convicted of a felony.

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

Yes. Notaries public must review and certify that they completed the Notary Education Presentation or a notary course by an approved vendor such as the American Association of Notaries. Notaries public are also required to complete an exam required by §W.S. 32-3-121(a) prior to a new or renewed commission term. You must score at least 70% to pass the exam found on page 3 of the application. To take a Wyoming notary course, please visit the AAN website at https://www.becomeanotarypublic.com.

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

The cost to become a notary in Wyoming may include the following:

1. A $60 filing fee to process the application for appointment or reappointment as a notary public.
2. A $10 filing fee in the event of a name change.
3. The cost of a notary educational course.
4. The cost of an official notary stamp.
5. The cost of a notary journal.
6. The cost of the tools and technology necessary to perform remote online notarizations if you intend to perform them.
7. The fee for a notary errors and omissions insurance policy if you wish to purchase one for your protection.

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

An errors and omissions insurance policy is optional in Wyoming. The American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that Wyoming notaries obtain errors and omissions insurance for their personal protection against liability. Errors and omissions insurance is designed to protect notaries from liability against unintentional notarial mistakes or omissions that result in financial or other type of loss to the public or from a client who sues a notary public for recovery. An E&O policy customarily covers legal fees and damages based on the coverage a Wyoming notary selects.

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

A surety notary bond is no longer required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Wyoming, but you have the option to obtain a bond if you so choose. The bond will not be filed with the county or the state.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Wyoming?

For all new and renewing commissions, on or after July 1, 2021, a NEW notary stamp/seal is required (whether physical or electronic) as the design of the prescribed stamp/seal has changed and must conform to W.S. § 32-3-116(a)(ii).

The stamp/seal shall:

1. Be rectangular in shape and approximately 1 inch wide by 2 ½ inches long.

2. Be in blue or black ink.

3. Have a border outline that contains the following information:

• Your notary public commission name.
• The words “Notary Public.”
• The words “State of Wyoming.”
• Your commission ID number.

4. The words “My commission expires” followed by the expiration date of your notary public commission.

Do Not include images of the Great Seal of the State of Wyoming or any other image or content other than as prescribed in this statute. Your county of residence CANNOT be included on the stamp/seal. To order a Wyoming notary stamp, notary seal, complete notary package, and notary supplies please visit the American Association of Notaries website, or call 713-644-2299.

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

The Wyoming notary fees are set by state notary statute (WS § 32-3-126(b)). A notarial officer may charge the maximum fees as specified below, charge less than the maximum fees, or waive the fees. A notarial officer may charge:

• Not more than ten dollars ($10.00) per notarial act.
• Not more than ten dollars ($10.00) per acknowledgement, signature, oath or affirmation, certification, or note of protest if more than one person appears before a notarial officer to complete a notarial act on a single record.
• A technology fee associated with utilizing an electronic notarization system or other form of communication technology if: (a) the notarial officer and the person requesting the notarial act agree upon the total fee in advance of the notarial act and (b) the notarial officer explains to the person requesting the notarial act that the technology fee is both separate from the notarial fee, if any, and neither specified nor mandated by law.

Note: A notarial officer may charge a travel fee when traveling to perform a notarial act if:

• The fee charged for travel is equal to or less than the standard mileage rates allowed by the United States Internal Revenue Service.
• The notarial officer and the person requesting the notarial act agree upon the travel fee in advance of the travel.
• The notarial officer explains to the person requesting the notarial act that the travel fee is both separate from the notarial fee, if any, and neither specified nor mandated by law.

Is a notary journal required in Wyoming?

The Secretary of State requires notaries public to maintain at least one journal, either on a tangible medium or in an electronic format, in which the notary public chronicles all notarial acts performed. A notary public is responsible for the security of his or her journal. The notary journal should never be shared or used by other notaries. The American Association of Notaries provide its members with a free electronic notary journal. Please visit our member center for more information. To order a Wyoming notary journal, please visit the American Association of Notaries website, or call 713-644-2299.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Wyoming?

A Wyoming notary has statewide jurisdiction and may perform notarial acts in any county within the geographic borders of Wyoming. A Wyoming notary public may notarize documents in a bordering state if that state recognizes the Wyoming notary's authority to do so.

What notarial acts can a Wyoming notary public perform?

A Wyoming notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts (WS § WS §32-3-101 a[xviii]):  

• Taking an acknowledgment.
• Administering an oath and affirmation.
• Taking a verification upon oath or affirmation.
• Performing a jurat.
• Witnessing or attesting a signature.
• Certifying or attesting a copy.
• Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument.
• Performing other acts so authorized by the laws of this state.

Can I perform electronic notarizations in Wyoming?

Yes. The Wyoming Legislature enacted the “Uniform Electronic Transactions Act” (Title 40, Chapter 21, Sections 40-21-101 through 40-21-119), which authorizes Wyoming notaries to obtain an electronic signature and electronic seal to notarize electronic documents in the physical presence of the individual seeking the notarization. First and foremost, the Wyoming notary statutes stipulate that the principal must physically appear before the notary public at the time of the notarial act. This means the principal and the notary are physically close enough to see, hear, communicate, and give identification credentials to each other without reliance on an electronic device such as a telephone, computer, video camera, or video conferences during the entire performance of the notarial act. All the same rules, standards, practices, and regulations that apply to a traditional paper notarization also apply to an electronically signed document including, but not limited to, personal appearance before the notary public.

In addition, this act specifies that if a law requires that a signature be notarized, the requirement is satisfied with respect to an electronic signature if an electronic record includes, in addition to the electronic signature to be notarized, the electronic signature of a notary public together with all other information required to be included in a notarization by other applicable law. Therefore, the notary’s electronic seal must reproduce the statutory required elements of the notary’s official seal. Moreover, the liability, sanctions, and remedies for improper performance of electronic notarizations are the same under the state notary laws for the improper performance of notarial acts performed by traditional notaries public.

Can I perform remote online notarizations in Wyoming?

Yes. Starting on July 1, 2021, remote online notarizations may be performed on a permanent basis in Wyoming. To perform a remote online notarization, you can use a platform that requires multifactor authentication and has other security features, or you can use another form of communication technology such as Zoom. Some documents require a signer to use a specific electronic notarization system rather than another form of communication technology. All remote notarizations require an audio/visual recording to perform the notarial act.

How do I become a remote online notary in Wyoming?

To provide remote online notary services, you are required to:

1. Hold an existing commission as a traditional notary public.
2. Contract with an approved RON technology provider or using a communication technology such as Zoom.
3. Indicate your intention to perform remote online notarizations on page 1 (Part II) of your application.
4. Have a computer, webcam, microphone, communication technology platform similar to Zoom, and a secure connection to the internet. Your computer must be able to support two-way audio and visual communication. 
5. Obtain a digital certificate containing your electronic signature and electronic seal, which must comply with your chosen RON platform.

Can I perform remote ink notarizations (RIN) in Wyoming?

Yes. Remote ink notarizations can be performed in Wyoming, but only for acknowledgments. RIN is the notarial act of an acknowledgement performed on a tangible record. An acknowledgement does not require the principal to sign before the notary public but acknowledges that the principal signed sometime in the past.

How do I become a remote ink notary (RIN) in Wyoming?

If you wish to become a remote ink notary, you must  hold an existing commission as a traditional notary public and indicate your intention to perform remote notarizations on page 1 (Part II) of your application. Once you are allowed to perform remote online notarizations, you are also eligible to perform remote ink notarizations.

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

A notary public must notify the Wyoming Secretary of State within thirty days of any change in the information on file using a form prescribed by the Wyoming Secretary of State. Click here to download the contact information form.

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

A notary public shall notify the Wyoming Secretary of State within thirty days of a name change on file. The notary must include:

1. A sample of the officer's handwritten official signature on the notice.
2. A $10.00 filing fee.

Revised:

August 2021