How to Become a Notary in Wisconsin
Having the authority to perform notarial acts can be useful in your career, and some kinds of jobs may even require it. However, the process of becoming a notary can sometimes be confusing without a guide to inform you of the necessary steps. Continue reading for a brief overview of the process of becoming a Wisconsin notary. It is important to note that this blog post is intended as a guide for people who want to apply for a four-year notary commission for the first time. If you are trying to renew your commission, this blog post will be more detailed than you need. Check the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions website for instructions on how to renew your commission. https://www.wdfi.org/apps/Notaryweb
First, you should be sure that you qualify to become a notary in the State of Wisconsin. An applicant must be a resident of the United States and at least 18 years old. The applicant must at least have an eighth-grade education or the equivalent. Finally, the applicant must not have a criminal record with a felony conviction and/or misdemeanors that impact the integrity of the notary commission.
Next, you should to purchase a notary stamp that you will use to notarize documents. The stamp should contain your name as you intend to sign documents that you notarize. While it might seem early to purchase this stamp, you will need to provide an example of your stamp on the application form, so be sure to get your stamp early in the application process. The State of Wisconsin does not require that the stamp be purchased from a particular vendor, so you are free to shop where you like as long as the stamp’s imprint is correct.
Third, you should read and learn the “Notary Public Tutorial” provided by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. This tutorial provides the information you will need in order to perform notarial acts properly. The tutorial indicates what kinds of documents you can notarize and the different kinds of notarial acts you can perform. You can access the tutorial at this link, https://www.wdfi.org/apps/NotaryTutorialExam/TableOfContents.aspx.
Fourth, you must take the notary exam. This exam will test the knowledge you gained from the tutorial and determine whether you have a firm grasp of what you can and cannot do as a notary. You must score at least 90% on the exam. If you do not pass the exam the first time, the exam will direct you to the areas to review in the tutorial. Once you score at least 90%, be sure to print your certificate of completion. You will need to provide this to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions in your application. You can access the exam at this link, https://www.wdfi.org/apps/NotaryTutorialExam/FinalExamInstructions.aspx.
Next, you must complete the online application through the Department of Financial Institutions. The online application will charge a fee. Once you have completed the online application, you will receive an email with application materials to print and complete. These materials will include a paper application to which you will have to affix an example of your notary seal. The materials will also include an Oath of Office, which you must have notarized by a notary other than yourself. You will also need to obtain a $500.00 bond. Once you have obtained the bond, you must fill out the Bond Form.
Finally, you must assemble the application materials noted above, and include your printed certificate for completing the notary exam. Then, you will have to submit those materials to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Check the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions website for the most up-to-date way to submit your materials.
