Notary Education and Training Fund

• In 2004, Michigan enacted numerous changed to its notary public law, including the establishment of a Notary Education and Training Fund. The fund is administered by the secretary of state and is intended to provide grant funds for education and training programs for county clerks and their staffs. The programs are to include information on notary responsibilities as well as election worker training and election processes. The programs are not intended for commissioned notaries or applicants.
  
  

Notary Qualifications

• In order to qualify for a Michigan notary commission, you must be at least 18 years of age and be a resident of the state or maintain a place of business there. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. The ability to read and write English is a must, and you cannot have had any felony convictions within the last 10 years. If you have been convicted of misdemeanor violations of the Michigan Notary Public Act within the last five years, regardless of whether you were a commissioned notary, you may be disqualified.
  
  

Oath and Bond Requirements

• A $10,000 surety bond must be filed the county clerk of your residence. When the bond is filed, the county clerk administers an oath of office, the purpose of which is to verify that application information is accurate. Attorneys license to practice in Michigan are exempt from the bond requirement.
  
  

Notary Commission

• A Michigan notary commission expires between six and seven years after issuance; the expiration date is on your birthday after the sixth anniversary of issuance. Neither a notary journal nor an embossed stamp is required for use in Michigan; however some record of notarial acts must be kept for five years. If a notary chooses to use a stamp, it must be amenable to photocopying.
  
  

Michigan Notary Public Act

• After your notary application is approved, the secretary of state will send a wallet-sized notary commission certificate to you. Although no formal training program is required to receive the commission, you are expected to obtain a copy and read the Michigan Notary Public Act.