How to Become a Notary Public in Wisconsin

Most applicants want the four-year commission, which is open to anyone who meets the general qualifications. Wisconsin also offers a permanent commission, but only to attorneys licensed to practice law in the state. Under section 140.02(2) the attorney files a certificate of good standing from the Wisconsin Supreme Court and pays a $50 fee instead of $20, and no bond is required. DFI's checklist marks the oath, the bond and the exam as four-year items only.

A permanent commission ends automatically if the attorney's law license is suspended or revoked, because the Supreme Court's notice to DFI is treated as a revocation. The rest of this guide focuses on the four-year route.

Section 140.02(1) and DFI's general information page set the bar for a four-year commission. It is lower than in many states on education and higher on scrutiny of criminal records.

If your record includes any felony, or a misdemeanor involving fraud, forgery or a similar offense, the handbook says to answer yes on the application and explain. DFI will also review court papers before you apply if you ask, which can save you the cost of a bond and a seal if the answer turns out to be no.

DFI runs a free online Notary Public Tutorial with seven chapters and a short quiz after each one. Reading the chapters is optional. The final exam is not: every new or renewing four-year applicant must score 90% or better, and the passing result must be no more than one year old when the commission issues.

When you pass, save the certificate from your browser right away. DFI's instructions say the certificate and score are not stored on its side and cannot be regenerated. Our companion guide on the Wisconsin notary exam covers the format and the content in detail.

In Wisconsin the seal comes before the commission, because an impression of it goes on your application. DFI's FAQ even anticipates the office supply clerk who asks to see a commission certificate first and offers to confirm the procedure by phone.

Under section 140.17 the stamp must show your name, the words Notary Public and State of Wisconsin, and nothing else except, optionally, your commission expiration date. Your full current legal last name is mandatory; initials or a shortened first name are fine. Professional titles such as Dr., CPA or Esq. are not allowed. An embosser, an inked stamp, or both may be used as long as samples are on file with DFI.

Section 140.02(1)(d) requires an official bond of $500 written by a surety company licensed in Wisconsin. An employer's blanket bond does not count. DFI cannot sell or recommend bonds, but its FAQ puts the typical price at roughly $25 to $100. You sign the bond form as principal, and the surety completes its portion.

The bond protects the public, not you. It covers up to $500 of damage from your misconduct or neglect, and anything above that is your personal responsibility. Errors and omissions insurance is optional coverage for you and is never filed with DFI.

The oath of office form must be completed in front of a current notarial officer, who stamps and signs it.

Submit the application with its seal impression, the oath, the bond and the exam certificate, along with the $20 fee. DFI accepts online filing through its Notary File Online portal (card or ACH) and paper filings with a check or money order. The handbook says most applicants receive a certificate within about two weeks.

Do not notarize anything until DFI notifies you, by email or mail, that the commission has issued. Performing acts for remotely located signers requires extra steps covered in the rules guide.

A four-year commission runs for four years from issuance, and section 140.02(1)(g) requires DFI to send an expiration notice at least 30 days ahead. Wisconsin notaries are entitled to reappointment, but nothing renews automatically: you repeat the whole process, including a new bond and a new passing exam score.

DFI accepts a renewal up to six months before expiration and suggests filing at least three weeks early so there is no gap. If the old commission lapses first, stop notarizing until the new one is issued. Report any change of name, address, email, seal or stamp within 10 days under DFI-CCS 25.02, and order a replacement commission certificate for $10 if you lose it.