The Enhanced South Dakota Notary Handbook
South Dakota notary law in plain English — your Secretary of State commission and 6-year term, the NO-bond rule (removed in the 2025 legislative session), the required seal, the $10 per-act cap, and Remote Online Notarization since July 1, 2024 with 10-year AV retention — plus every SD customary form 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.
South Dakota Notary Law in Plain English
Your SOS commission and 6-year term, NO bond (removed 2025), your seal, fees, copies, RON since July 2024, and the rules you can’t break.
Every SD Form You’ll Use
Acknowledgment, representative acknowledgment, jurat, signature witnessing, and copy certification.
The Seal Rule, Solved
SD seals must contain at minimum your name, the word ‘Seal,’ and a border. Best practice adds ‘Notary Public,’ ‘South Dakota,’ county, and expiration.
Printable Notary Invoice
Bill within SD’s $10 per-act cap plus travel by agreement. Fillable and print-ready.
Journal Pages
Recommended for paper acts (not required). RON requires 10-year AV recording — built around the SD rules.
30-Day Marketing Quick-Start
A commission doesn’t pay you — clients do. A week-by-week plan plus a glossary.
Enhanced South Dakota Notary Handbook
- South Dakota notary law in plain English (SDCL Ch. 18-1)
- Acknowledgment, representative acknowledgment & jurat
- Signature witnessing & copy certification done the SD way
- Printable invoice ($10 cap + travel)
- Binder-ready notary journal pages
- 30-day marketing quick-start & glossary of terms
About the Enhanced South Dakota Notary Handbook
South Dakota’s notary law is SDCL Chapter 18-1. The commission term is 6 years and — under a 2025 update — there is NO bond required. The application fee is $30, an official seal is required, and Remote Online Notarization has been authorized since July 1, 2024 under SDCL 18-1-11.2 et seq. (SB 211) with mandatory audio-visual recording retained 10 years.
Built on the Law — Not a Private Handbook
The explanations are written in our own words; the certificate forms follow the requirements of SDCL Chapter 18-1. You’ll learn what trips new SD notaries up: the 6-year term (SDCL 18-1-2), the NO-bond rule following the 2025 legislative update, the $30 application fee, the required seal with your name, the word ‘Seal,’ and a border (best practice adds ‘Notary Public,’ ‘South Dakota,’ county, and expiration), the $10 per-act fee cap, and the RON authorization effective July 1, 2024 under SDCL 18-1-11.2 et seq. with 10-year audio-visual retention. 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 South 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 South Dakota notary handbook?
No. This is an independently produced, enhanced study and reference guide. It is not the official South Dakota Notary Public Handbook and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the State of South Dakota or the South Dakota Secretary of State.
How long is a South Dakota notary commission, and what does it take?
A SD notary commission is 6 years (SDCL 18-1-2). Following the 2025 legislative update, there is NO bond required. You file the Notary Public Application and Oath through the SOS, pay the $30 fee, and take the oath of office.
What must a South Dakota notary seal include?
At minimum: your name as commissioned, the word ‘Seal’ if the seal is a rubber stamp or an electronic seal, and a border surrounding the imprint. Best practice is to also include ‘Notary Public,’ ‘South Dakota,’ your county, and your commission expiration.
Does South Dakota require a notary journal?
Not by statute for paper acts (the SOS strongly recommends one). For RON acts, you MUST create and retain an audio-visual recording of the entire RON session for at least 10 YEARS.
What can a South Dakota notary charge per act?
South Dakota caps notarial fees at $10 per act. Travel may be agreed separately.
Does South Dakota allow Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
Yes — RON has been authorized in SD effective July 1, 2024 under SB 211 (SDCL 18-1-11.2 et seq.). You must hold an active commission, register with the SOS, use an approved tamper-evident technology vendor with identity-proofing, and create and retain a complete audio-visual recording of every RON session for 10 years. You must be physically located in SD when you perform the remote act.
Legal Disclaimer: The Enhanced South Dakota Notary Handbook is an independently produced study and reference guide. It is not the official South Dakota Notary Public Handbook and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by the State of South Dakota or the South 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. South Dakota notary law can change — always confirm current requirements with the South Dakota Secretary of State, and consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
© 2026 Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers | Enhanced South Dakota Notary Handbook | Instant Fillable PDF Download