A notary public is someone who acts as a witness to the identity of a person who needs to get an official document signed. Notary publics must be commissioned or licensed in their county of residence, but they have statewide jurisdiction so they can notarize within any county in their state.
To become a notary in Mississippi, you will need to complete an application, file it with the Mississippi Secretary of State, secure a $5,000 Mississippi Notary Bond, pay licensing fees, and take oath. The exact steps are listed below:
How to Become a Notary in Mississippi
Step #1: Meet requirements
- Must be a citizen of United States
- Must be a legal resident of Mississippi for more than 30 days
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must not have been convicted of a felony
- Must be able to read and write English
Step #2: Complete Mississippi Notary Public Application
Fill out and complete the Application for a Mississippi Notary Public Commission.
Mail your application to the Mississippi Secretary of State at the address below:
Secretary of State, Business Services Division
P.O. Box 136
Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0136
Include a $25 money order or check payable to the Secretary of State.
Step #3: Purchase a Mississippi Notary Bond
**Make sure you receive a notice letter from the state before you purchase your Mississippi Notary Bond.**
A Mississippi Notary Bond guarantees you will faithfully perform your duties as a notary public in Mississippi. A Mississippi Notary Bond is mandated by law. It isn’t a protection for you, but rather for your customers.
Mississippi has set the bond amount at $5,000.
You will pay a small portion of the bond amount, usually around $50-$100.
Step #4: Submit Bond
Once you have purchased your Mississippi Notary Bond, you are almost done.
Mail your bond to the Secretary of State (address listed in Step #2).
The Secretary of State will check to see if you have completed the notary public Mississippi application and submitted a valid bond. Then, the Secretary of State will send your application and bond to the Governor’s Office for approval. This process should take less than one week.
Upon approval, you will be mailed your official Mississippi Notary Commission Certification.
You are then able to purchase your notary stamp and seal.
Questions? View the Mississippi Notary FAQ page.
Mississippi Notary Renewal
Your term of office in Mississippi lasts 4 years. At the end of this period, you may apply for a renewal.
Your renewal application must be submitted within 2 months before the expiration date.
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