How to Become a Notary in Michigan
Learn about Michigan notary requirements, commission process, fees, and more. Prepare with AI-powered supplementary training, adaptive quizzes, and a 24/7 AI tutor scoped to Michigan law.
Michigan does not mandate a pre-commissioning education course for notary applicants, but applicants must pass a notary public qualifying exam administered by the Secretary of State's office or an approved provider. Notary Mentor is supplementary only and does not replace the state-mandated examination.
Michigan Notary Requirements at a Glance
Key facts about notary commissions in Michigan.
Remote Online Notarization
Journal Requirements
Michigan law does not mandate a notarial journal for traditional notarizations, but the Secretary of State strongly recommends maintaining one. For RON, notaries must maintain an electronic journal. B...
Fees & Seals
Michigan notary fees are capped at $10.00 per notarial act (MCL § 55.285). The seal must be a rubber ink stamp and must include the notary's name, 'Notary Public,' 'State of Michigan,' 'County of [com...
Key Topics Covered for Michigan
Master these essential areas of Michigan notary law with our AI-powered training platform.
Acknowledgments
Under Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) § 55.287, a notary taking an acknowledgment must determine from personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence that the person appearing before the ...
Journals & Records
Michigan law does not mandate a notarial journal for traditional notarizations, but the Secretary of State strongly recommends maintaining one. For RON, notaries must maintain an e...
Identity Verification
Michigan notaries must verify a signer's identity through personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence of identity, which includes a government-issued identification card containing...
RON Specifics
Michigan enacted RON legislation (MCL § 55.286c et seq.) effective July 1, 2019. Notaries must register with the Secretary of State as electronic notaries and use approved technolo...
Prohibited Acts
Michigan notaries may not notarize their own signature (MCL § 55.291), act when they have a disqualifying interest, perform notarizations outside of Michigan (except via RON when a...
Fees & Seals
Michigan notary fees are capped at $10.00 per notarial act (MCL § 55.285). The seal must be a rubber ink stamp and must include the notary's name, 'Notary Public,' 'State of Michig...
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Michigan
Mistakes that Michigan notaries frequently make — and how to avoid them.
Failing to affix the official rubber ink stamp on every notarized document.
Using an embosser as the sole seal, which Michigan does not accept.
Notarizing documents without the signer personally appearing or without proper RON procedures.
Exceeding the statutory maximum fee of $10.00 per notarial act.
Failing to register as an electronic notary before performing RON.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about becoming a notary in Michigan.
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