Wisconsin notaries play an essential role in preventing fraud, verifying identity, and ensuring the integrity of important documents. Many professionals — including real estate agents, financial professionals, healthcare workers, and small business owners — choose to add notary services to enhance the service they provide or to build a standalone business.
With the rise of Remote Online Notarization (RON) and mobile notary services, the demand for knowledgeable notaries in Wisconsin continues to grow.
Your step-by-step guide to becoming a commissioned Wisconsin Notary Public
Becoming a Notary Public in Wisconsin is an empowering way to serve your community and expand your professional opportunities. At Notaries of Wisconsin, we’re committed to helping new notaries feel confident, informed, and supported from day one.
Below is the full process, step-by-step, to help you complete your Notary Public Commission through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). We’ve simplified the process so you can move forward with confidence.
1. Confirm You Meet Wisconsin’s Eligibility Requirements. You must:
Be at least 18 years old
Live in Wisconsin or be regularly employed in Wisconsin
Have no disqualifying felony convictions
Be able to read and write English
If you meet these basic requirements, you're ready for the next step.
The Wisconsin DFI provides a free online notary tutorial that covers the duties, responsibilities, and legal expectations of a Notary Public.
This tutorial:
Takes approximately 30–45 minutes
Ends with a short assessment
Must be completed before submitting your application
Save your completion certificate — you will need it during the application process.
Wisconsin requires all notaries to purchase a $500 Notary Bond from a licensed insurance or bonding company. This protects the public — not the notary — in case of errors.
When shopping for a bond:
Look for a bond specifically labeled “Wisconsin Notary Bond”
Many companies bundle the bond with an optional Errors & Omissions (E&O) policy (recommended but not required)
This bond must be in place before you move forward.
Wisconsin requires applicants to already have their official notary stamp before submitting the application.
Your stamp must include:
Your name (exact match to your application)
“Notary Public”
“State of Wisconsin”
Space for your expiration date
You will upload a sample stamp impression during your application.
This is a critically important step that many new notaries overlook.
Before you submit your application, you must:
Take an Oath of Office,
Sign it,
And have your signature notarized by an active Wisconsin Notary Public.
This oath states that you will faithfully perform your duties as a Wisconsin Notary Public.
You will upload the notarized Oath of Office as part of your final application packet.
Tip: Bring a valid ID and your notary bond when meeting with the notary who notarizes your oath.
Once you have completed the tutorial, obtained your bond, purchased your stamp, and notarized your Oath of Office, you’re ready to complete the online application.
You will need to upload:
Your Notary Tutorial certificate
Your $500 notary bond
Your notarized Oath of Office
A sample of your notary stamp impression
Your matching signature samples
The $20 application fee
Ensure all names match exactly across every document.
Submit all documents through the DFI’s online submission portal.
Processing typically takes 1–4 weeks.
Your official Notary Public Commission will be emailed to you once approved.
Congratulations — you’re officially a Wisconsin Notary Public!
Once you receive your commission, you’re authorized to perform notarizations across the state. If you plan to offer Remote Online Notarization (RON), you’ll need to enroll with an approved platform and complete the RON registration process with the state.
Disclosure
Notaries of Wisconsin provides resources and guidance for individuals interested in becoming a Wisconsin Notary Public. Please note that applying through our website or following the information provided does not guarantee that you will be commissioned as a notary. Commissioning is determined solely by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), and applicants must meet all state requirements.