Your Guide to Notary Bonds
What are notary bonds?
Notary bonds are financial guarantees that notaries must purchase to ensure they fulfill their obligations concerning their notarial duties. This surety bond protects the public from financial loss if you (as a notary) make a mistake or perform a task unethically or illegally. If you violate the law or your surety bond contract in any way, the injured party may file a claim to receive compensation.
What is a rider?
A rider is a form that allows you to correct or amend your bond. You may or may not need a rider to make changes to your bond information. Ask your surety provider if you’re unsure.
Who needs a notary public bond?
If you want to become a notary public – someone appointed by the state government to impartially perform various fraud-deterrent acts related to signing important documents for the public – you may need this bond. Many states require this bond as part of the licensing process.
Get Your Notary Public Bond:
Quick Takeaways
- A notary bond is a financial guarantee that notaries must purchase to ensure they fulfill their obligations concerning their professional duties.
- If you want to become a notary public, you may need to obtain this bond before receiving your license and performing notarial acts.
- These bonds help protect the public from fraud and other forms of misconduct.
- Bond requirements can vary greatly, ranging from $500 to $25,000, depending on the state.
- Costs are minimal, ranging from less than $50 to around $100 for a multi-year term.
How do these bonds work?
Notary bonds help protect the public from fraud and other forms of misconduct. It ensures that notaries perform their jobs according to the law and industry regulations. The bond is a three-party agreement.
- Obligee: The state requiring the bond
- Principal: The notary public who must buy the bond
- Surety: The company that issues and underwrites the bond
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What happens if someone files a claim?
If a notary fails to adhere to the law and the state or a client is harmed financially, the injured party may file a claim against the notary’s surety bond. The surety may investigate to see if the claim is legitimate. If it is, the surety may reimburse the harmed party up to the total amount of the bond. The notary public must ultimately repay the surety for stepping in and covering the costs.
Note that errors and omissions insurance may cover accidental omissions and mistakes that lead to bond claims. It won’t, however, cover intentional acts of fraud or misconduct.
How much does a notary bond cost?
Costs vary by state, but many states issue bonds for four to ten-year terms. Costs are minimal, ranging from less than $50 to around $100 for the multi-year period. When your bond term is up, you’ll need to buy a new surety bond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are my notary public bond requirements?
Bond requirements can vary greatly, ranging from $500 to $25,000, depending on the state.
How do I file my notary bond?
The filing process varies by state. Generally, you will file your bond with your county clerk or state commissioning official. According to the National Notary Association, you may need to file your surety bond along with your application for a commission or after your commission has been issued (within a specific timeframe).
How does errors and omissions insurance differ from a surety bond?
Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance protects the notary public, while surety bonds protect the state and the public. You may have the option of adding E&O insurance to your bond for protection – in case someone ends up filing a claim on your bond. Insurance may cover claims stemming from honest mistakes and omissions.
Get a Notary Public Bond in Your State
Notary bonds are inexpensive, easy to obtain, and issued instantly. Get your notary public bond today by applying below – or call us at 888-435-4191 to speak with an agent directly. ZipBonds is the fastest and most secure way to get the license and permit bond you need.
About ZipBonds.com
Founders Ryan Swalve and Zach Mefferd formed the vision for ZipBonds.com when they realized how overly complicated it was to help clients place surety. The frustration of being unable to incorporate the technology they’d used in other insurance-focused projects left them thinking “there has to be a better way.”
Fast forward a couple of years, and that better way is the impetus of everything we do at ZipBonds. We constantly look for innovative ways to improve the bonding process for our clients and agents. Our team comprises individuals who understand all angles of surety – for companies, agencies, and individuals. Incorporating everyone’s point of view to improve the process while simultaneously integrating cutting-edge technology is what sets our business apart.