South Dakota Notary Bond

How much does a South Dakota notary bond cost?

South Dakota notary bonds cost $45 for the state-required 6-year term. You can add additional errors and omissions insurance to ensure you aren't held personally liable for mistakes made while notarizing documents.

How do I get a South Dakota notary bond?

Select the errors and omissions insurance package you'd like and provide your name to buy your bond securely online in minutes. Once your payment is submitted, your official bond will be delivered to your email.

How fast can I get a notary bond in South Dakota?

You can purchase your South Dakota notary bond online 24/7. Purchase now and receive your official bond delivered in minutes by email.

What is a South Dakota notary public bond?

South Dakota Legislation 18-1-2 requires individuals to purchase and file a $5,000 surety bond before being commissioned as notaries public in the state. These bonds ensure individuals provide notarization services according to all relevant laws. South Dakota notarial acts include witnessing or attesting signatures or documents, taking acknowledgements or verifications of oaths or affirmations, or administering oaths and affirmations.

South Dakota notary bonds remain effective for 6 years after being filed.

Why do notaries need to be bonded in the state of South Dakota?

By filing these bonds, individuals agree to follow state laws when performing notarial acts. The bond offers financial protection in the event a notary commits an incorrect, negligent, or fraudulent notarial act. If such an event occurs, the surety company would pay valid claims up the full $5,000 bond amount, which the notary must then reimburse.

Who commissions notaries in South Dakota?

The South Dakota Secretary of State regulates commission requirements and manages all notary forms and filed notary packages.

How do I update or change my notary bond form?

If the South Dakota Secretary of State requires your surety bond documentation to be updated for any reason, contact your surety provider. If you purchased your bond from SuretyBonds.com, email [email protected] to explain the needed change, which is usually updating the notary's name.

How do I renew my notary bond?

South Dakota notary bonds must be renewed after the current 6-year term expires. Once you pay your SuretyBonds.com renewal invoice, a new surety bond form will be issued and sent to you.

How do you become a notary in South Dakota?

You must meet the following requirements before applying.

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a permanent South Dakota resident or a resident of a county that borders South Dakota whose place of work or business is in South Dakota
• Have never been convicted of a felony
• Have never been disqualified as a notary public

If you meet the notary commission requirements above, complete these steps.

1. Purchase notary supplies including a notary seal.

2. Purchase a $5,000 notary public surety bond.

3. Complete the notary application.

Verify the following information appears on your application before submitting your notary package. A separate notary public must witness your signature on the application.

• Include an imprint of your seal in the box at the top left of the form.
• Write your name exactly as it appears on your notary stamp.
• Provide physical residence.
• If residence is in an out-of-state county bordering South Dakota, fill out the Employer/Business Name and South Dakota Business Address portions of the application.
• Indicate if you have been commissioned as a South Dakota notary before; if so, note the expiration date from the Notary Public Commission certificate. Include any alternative name the applicant was previously commissioned under.
• Provide date of birth.
• Note any past convictions.

4. Pay a $30 filing fee payable to the Secretary of State.

5. Submit your notary package application to:

Secretary of State
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501

The South Dakota Secretary of State currently advises allowing 17-25 days to process notary packages. Once approved, they will mail your Notary Public Commission Certificate as legal proof of your notary commission, which must be displayed for every notarization.

How do I become a remote notary in South Dakota?

Individuals who hold an active notary public commission in South Dakota can conduct online remote notarization services. According to SD House Bill 1272, notaries may only perform notarial acts electronically under certain conditions.

Notaries must personally know the individual that they are performing the notarial act with. Notaries must attach their signature to the tangible document, note the remote location and use of communications technology, and confirm the original form is the same document the individual signed.