Notary Bonds

A notary bond is a form of financial protection that guarantees the notary will comply with the law and fulfill their duties to protect the public from monetary loss resulting from dishonest or fraudulent acts by the notary. Most states require notaries to obtain this bond before they are able to become a notary public.

QUOTE

The bond is different than insurance, as it protects the public rather than the notary. If a notary is looking for coverage for themselves, they will need a Notary Errors & Omissions policy.

Why Are Notary Bonds Required?

Notaries are responsible to legally approve signatures and act as a witness on documents. Should a notary fail to properly verify identification or documentation damages could be caused to the signing parties. Notary bonds are meant to reimburse the damaged parties if the notary commits fraud or misrepresentation, causing monetary loss to the customer.

The surety company that holds the bond will pay the customer for any financial losses incurred. It is then the notaries responsibility to reimburse the surety company for the amount paid out.

Notary Bond Limits and Cost by State

Limits, duration, and cost for notary bonds vary from state to state. The bond limit ranges from $500-$25,000, the duration of commission from 4-6 years, and the cost can be anywhere between $20-$110. See the chart below for the details in each state:

StateBond LimitBond TermCost
AL$25,0004 years$70
AK$1,0004 years$50
AZ$5,0004 years$25
CA$15,0004 years$38
DC$2,0005 years$50
FL$7,5004 years$74
HI$1,0004 years$40
ID$10,0006 years$60
IL$5,0004 years$44
IN$25,0004 years$70
KS$7,5004 years$50
KY$1,0004 years$34.38
LA$10,0005 years$110
MI$10,0006 years$50
MS$5,0004 years$45
MO$10,0004 years$45
MT$25,0004 years$70
NE$15,0004 years$40
NV$10,0004 years$40
NM$10,0004 years$45
ND$7,5004 years$50
OK$1,0004 years$30
PA$10,0004 years$30
SD$5,0006 years$50
TN$10,0004 years$45
TX$10,0004 years$76
UT$5,0004 years$40
WA$10,0004 years$50
WI$5004 years$20
WY$5004 years$50
Notary Bonds

How to Get a Bond on File?

Jet will send the bond to the notary directly, which will then need to be filed with the county clerk or state’s commissioning official. For new applicants, the bond is typically filed alongside the application. For those renewing their commission, the bond needs to be filed prior to the notary commission’s end date, about a month before.

What Happens if There Is a Claim?

The surety company will investigate to see if the claim filed by the customer is valid. The surety will ask the notary questions directly as well as request records that may have an impact. If the claim is proved legitimate, the surety will pay up to the full limit of the bond. After the claim is settled, the notary is still responsible for the cost of the payout along with legal fees incurred by the surety.

If a claim is filed on the bond, the commission may be suspended until another bond is posted and/or when the bond claim has been paid back in full.

Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance may be purchased to protect the notary for cases of honest mistakes. The E&O policy will not cover fraudulent activities.

Notary Bond Application:

X

Business Information:

Indemnity Agreement:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for a Dishonesty Bond also known as a Business Service Bond or Janitorial Service Bond (“bond”) to the Surety Company (“SURETY”) through Jet Insurance Company (“JET”), with whom I hereby grant the authority to act on my behalf with respect to the bond and assign as my Broker of Record, and declare that the statements herein are true and correct. In consideration of the SURETY issuing, renewing or substituting said bond(s), I, individually and as the owner or officer of the bonded entity, hereby understand and agree, as follows: (i) to reimburse, hold harmless, and indemnify SURETY upon demand for all loss, liability, claim, expense, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expert’s fees, investigative fees and claims handling fees, and any other cost which SURETY shall pay or incur in defense, adjustment, or settlement of such claims/suits by reason of such suretyship; (ii) that an itemized statement of loss and expenses by SURETY shall be indisputable proof of my liability to SURETY; (iii) coverage is subject to a $100 deductible; (iv) the employee must be convicted before coverage will apply (v) performance and any form of dispute resolution of this agreement shall take place in the county of SURETY's office of service; and (vi) a facsimile copy or electronically signed version of this agreement shall be binding as if it were an original. This agreement shall survive any changes in, substitute to or renewal of the bond(s).

Required Effect Date of Bond Policy:

Contact Information:

Employee Dishonesty Bond Application:

Business Information:

Business Description:

Coverage Requirements:

Indemnity Agreement:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for a Dishonesty Bond also known as a Business Service Bond or Janitorial Service Bond (“bond”) to the Surety Company (“SURETY”) through Jet Insurance Company (“JET”), with whom I hereby grant the authority to act on my behalf with respect to the bond and assign as my Broker of Record, and declare that the statements herein are true and correct. In consideration of the SURETY issuing, renewing or substituting said bond(s), I, individually and as the owner or officer of the bonded entity, hereby understand and agree, as follows: (i) to reimburse, hold harmless, and indemnify SURETY upon demand for all loss, liability, claim, expense, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expert’s fees, investigative fees and claims handling fees, and any other cost which SURETY shall pay or incur in defense, adjustment, or settlement of such claims/suits by reason of such suretyship; (ii) that an itemized statement of loss and expenses by SURETY shall be indisputable proof of my liability to SURETY; (iii) coverage is subject to a $100 deductible; (iv) the employee must be convicted before coverage will apply (v) performance and any form of dispute resolution of this agreement shall take place in the county of SURETY's office of service; and (vi) a facsimile copy or electronically signed version of this agreement shall be binding as if it were an original. This agreement shall survive any changes in, substitute to or renewal of the bond(s).

Required Effect Date of Bond Policy:

Contact Information:

Contract Bond Application:

X

Business Information:

Owner Information:

Job Details:

Indemnity Agreement:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for a Dishonesty Bond also known as a Business Service Bond or Janitorial Service Bond (“bond”) to the Surety Company (“SURETY”) through Jet Insurance Company (“JET”), with whom I hereby grant the authority to act on my behalf with respect to the bond and assign as my Broker of Record, and declare that the statements herein are true and correct. In consideration of the SURETY issuing, renewing or substituting said bond(s), I, individually and as the owner or officer of the bonded entity, hereby understand and agree, as follows: (i) to reimburse, hold harmless, and indemnify SURETY upon demand for all loss, liability, claim, expense, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expert’s fees, investigative fees and claims handling fees, and any other cost which SURETY shall pay or incur in defense, adjustment, or settlement of such claims/suits by reason of such suretyship; (ii) that an itemized statement of loss and expenses by SURETY shall be indisputable proof of my liability to SURETY; (iii) coverage is subject to a $100 deductible; (iv) the employee must be convicted before coverage will apply (v) performance and any form of dispute resolution of this agreement shall take place in the county of SURETY's office of service; and (vi) a facsimile copy or electronically signed version of this agreement shall be binding as if it were an original. This agreement shall survive any changes in, substitute to or renewal of the bond(s).

Required Effect Date of Bond Policy:

Contact Information:

Worker's Compensation Application:

X

Business Information:

Business Description:

Coverage Requirements

Indemnity Agreement:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for a Dishonesty Bond also known as a Business Service Bond or Janitorial Service Bond (“bond”) to the Surety Company (“SURETY”) through Jet Insurance Company (“JET”), with whom I hereby grant the authority to act on my behalf with respect to the bond and assign as my Broker of Record, and declare that the statements herein are true and correct. In consideration of the SURETY issuing, renewing or substituting said bond(s), I, individually and as the owner or officer of the bonded entity, hereby understand and agree, as follows: (i) to reimburse, hold harmless, and indemnify SURETY upon demand for all loss, liability, claim, expense, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expert’s fees, investigative fees and claims handling fees, and any other cost which SURETY shall pay or incur in defense, adjustment, or settlement of such claims/suits by reason of such suretyship; (ii) that an itemized statement of loss and expenses by SURETY shall be indisputable proof of my liability to SURETY; (iii) coverage is subject to a $100 deductible; (iv) the employee must be convicted before coverage will apply (v) performance and any form of dispute resolution of this agreement shall take place in the county of SURETY's office of service; and (vi) a facsimile copy or electronically signed version of this agreement shall be binding as if it were an original. This agreement shall survive any changes in, substitute to or renewal of the bond(s).

Required Effect Date of Bond Policy:

Contact Information: