The Enhanced North Dakota Notary Handbook
North Dakota notary law in plain English — your Secretary of State commission and 4-year term, the $7,500 bond (SFN 19355), the SOS Certificate of Authorization to purchase your stamp, the REQUIRED journal (one tangible plus electronic), the $5 per-act cap, and RON under NDCC 44-06.1-13.1 — plus every RULONA short-form certificate and the tools to get paid. Fillable PDF, instant download.
Everything the State Doesn’t Spell Out
The law made simple, the forms you’ll actually use, and the business side handled — all in one download.
North Dakota Notary Law in Plain English
Your SOS commission and 4-year term, $7,500 bond, the Certificate of Authorization, your stamp, the REQUIRED journal, fees, copies, RON, and the rules you can’t break.
Every RULONA Short Form
North Dakota’s acknowledgment, representative acknowledgment, jurat, signature witnessing, and copy certification — the NDCC 44-06.1 forms.
The Stamp Authorization Rule
ND issues you a Certificate of Authorization that you take to a vendor to purchase your stamping device — you can’t just order one first. We make it easy.
Printable Notary Invoice
Bill within ND’s $5 per-act cap plus travel by agreement. Fillable and print-ready.
REQUIRED Journal Pages
ND requires a journal under RULONA — ONE tangible journal at a time, plus separate journal(s) for electronic acts. Binder-ready pages.
30-Day Marketing Quick-Start
A commission doesn’t pay you — clients do. A week-by-week plan plus a glossary of terms.
Enhanced North Dakota Notary Handbook
- North Dakota notary law in plain English (NDCC Ch. 44-06.1)
- Acknowledgment, representative acknowledgment & jurat
- Signature witnessing & copy certification done the ND way
- Printable invoice ($5 cap + travel)
- Binder-ready REQUIRED notary journal pages
- 30-day marketing quick-start & glossary of terms
About the Enhanced North Dakota Notary Handbook
North Dakota’s notary law is the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), codified at NDCC Chapter 44-06.1. The commission term is 4 years, the bond is $7,500, the application fee is $36, and the SOS issues a Certificate of Authorization that you take to a vendor to purchase your stamping device. A journal is REQUIRED (one tangible journal at a time; separate journal(s) for electronic acts). Per-act fees are capped at $5, and RON has been authorized since 2019 (NDCC 44-06.1-13.1).
Built on the Law — Not a Private Handbook
The explanations are written in our own words; the certificate forms are the short forms in NDCC Chapter 44-06.1. You’ll learn what trips new ND notaries up: the 4-year term, the $7,500 surety bond on SFN 19355, the $36 application fee, the SOS-issued Certificate of Authorization required before purchasing a stamp, the REQUIRED journal under RULONA with the one-tangible-at-a-time rule plus separate electronic journals, the $5 per-act fee cap, and RON under NDCC 44-06.1-13.1 with separate SOS registration. It’s the reference you’ll keep open on your desk.
📝 Fillable & printable
Open it in the free Adobe Reader and type into the fields, or print the forms blank and complete them by hand. Works on PC, Mac, phone, or tablet — and it’s yours to reuse for your entire commission.
Who it’s for
Brand-new North Dakota notaries who want the law in plain English, mobile notaries leveling up, and loan signing agents who want the legal reference and the business forms together in one place.
How to use it
Read Part 1 to understand your duties fast, keep Part 2 handy as your certificate reference, print the Part 3 toolkit and journal pages for real jobs, and work the Part 4 marketing plan to start booking clients. Update and reprint anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What notaries ask before downloading.
Is this the official North Dakota notary handbook?
No. This is an independently produced, enhanced study and reference guide. It is not the official North Dakota Notary Handbook and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the State of North Dakota or the North Dakota Secretary of State.
How long is a North Dakota notary commission, and what does it take?
A ND notary commission is 4 years. You must be at least 18 and a ND resident (or have a place of employment in ND), obtain a $7,500 surety bond on SFN 19355, apply through the SOS with the oath of office and bond, and pay the $36 application fee. There is no exam.
How do you get a North Dakota notary stamp?
After your application is approved, the SOS sends a Certificate of Authorization. You take that to a notary-supply vendor of your choice and use it to purchase your stamping device. You may NOT order or use a stamp before the SOS issues this certificate.
Does North Dakota require a notary journal?
Yes. Under RULONA (NDCC Chapter 44-06.1), every ND notary must keep a journal of every notarial act. You may keep only ONE tangible journal at a time; for electronic acts you may keep one or more electronic journals. For RON acts, you must also retain the audio-visual recording.
What can a North Dakota notary charge per act?
North Dakota caps the per-act fee at $5. Travel may be agreed separately with the client and disclosed in advance.
Does North Dakota allow Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
Yes — ND authorized RON in 2019 under NDCC 44-06.1-13.1. You must hold an active commission, register with the SOS as a remote online notary, use an approved tamper-evident technology vendor with identity-proofing, keep the required electronic journal, and retain the audio-visual recording. You must be physically located in ND when you perform the remote act.
Legal Disclaimer: The Enhanced North Dakota Notary Handbook is an independently produced study and reference guide. It is not the official North Dakota Notary Handbook and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by the State of North Dakota or the North Dakota Secretary of State. Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers is a nonlawyer document preparation service, not a law firm; this handbook is for education and reference only, is not legal advice, and using it does not create an attorney-client relationship. North Dakota notary law can change — always confirm current requirements with the North Dakota Secretary of State, and consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
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