How to Become a Notary in Missouri
A notary public is appointed by the state government to witness the signing of documents. These professionals may also administer oaths. A notary is responsible for confirming the identity of the individual signing documents with a driver's license, passport, or military identification card. The state of Missouri requires prospective notaries to meet minimum qualifications, study the notary public handbook, pass an examination, and submit the appropriate application materials for approval.
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Instructions
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Check if you meet the minimum qualifications. According to the Missouri Secretary of State, to be a notary you must be at least 18 years of age and be a registered voter in the county in which you are commissioned. An applicant must also apply to serve the county where she legally resides and be able to read and write English.
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Review the Missouri Notary Public Handbook. This handbook is available on-line (see Resources). It contains information about local laws and procedures that affect notaries in the state of Missouri.
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Complete the notary public on-line or written training. The state of Missouri offers two methods for notary training. The On-line Notary Training course is done completely over the Internet and you can track your progress on-line during the course. Alternately, enroll in the written notary training course. This can be accomplished by contacting the Missouri Secretary of State office.
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Submit application materials. Download the notary application from the Internet (see References). Complete the application and mail to the address listed on the form.
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Purchase a notary bond. The state of Missouri requires all notaries public to purchase a $10,000 notary bond. This can be purchased from your personal insurance agent or local bank. The bond must be valid for at least 4 years.
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Visit your county clerk's office. Present proof of your notary bond. The clerk will administer your oath to serve office. You must agree to the oath in writing. Your signature of this form must exactly match the name on your application materials. After signing the oath, the county clerk will present a certificate of commission.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have had your notary commission revoked within the past 10 years, you can't reapply, according to the Missouri Secretary of State.
Applicants with a criminal record of felony convictions are not able to serve in this role. If you have misdemeanor convictions, the Missouri Secretary of State also reserves the right to deny your application (depending on the offense).
