Notary Public
GENERAL INFORMATION
Who is eligible to apply to become a Wisconsin Notary Public?
Any United States resident 18 years of age or older who has at least the equivalent of an eighth grade education, is familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a Notary Public, and doesn't have an unacceptable arrest or conviction record is eligible to apply for a Wisconsin Notary Public Commission.
Note that an applicant does not need to be a Wisconsin resident and does not need to be an United States Citizen.
Who is not eligible to apply to become a Wisconsin Notary Public?
An applicant who does not meet all basic requirements listed above is not eligible to apply. Persons convicted in state or federal court of a felony, or persons convicted of a misdemeanor involving a violation of the public trust may not be commissioned as Notaries Public for the State of Wisconsin unless they have been pardoned of the conviction.
FORMS INFORMATION
The following information is available for downloading in Acrobat
(pdf) format. You must have the Adobe
Acrobat Reader (free
download) installed to view and print these documents. To
assure proper printing of Acrobat files, be sure to use the Acrobat
Print Command (printer icon located in the lower left-hand corner
of the menu bar), not the Web browser print command. If you prefer,
send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the address shown on
the forms, and request the forms be mailed to you.
- Notary Public Information Brochure
- Four Year Notary Public Commission Form
- Notary Public Complaint Form
- Attorney Notary Form
- Notary Public Address Change Form
- Notary Public Name Change Form
- The Top Ten List
Notary Public Information Brochure
The Notary Public Information Brochure is provided to help you understand the duties of this office and the trust which has been placed in you as a public official.
Four-Year Notary Public Commission Forms
The forms used to apply for a four-year notary public commission consist of a one page application, one page of application instructions, an oath of office, and a bond. The same forms are used for new and renewal commissions. The fully completed application, oath, and bond must be submitted together, at the same time, with the appropriate filing fee as designated on the application form. Partial submittals cannot be held pending receipt of missing forms, and will be returned to sender.
If you would rather have an application mailed to you, send a request and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Secretary of State, Notary Forms Request, P. O. Box 7848, Madison, WI 53707.
How to File a Notary Public Complaint
Individuals who have a complaint concerning a Wisconsin Notary Public may file a complaint by downloading, completing and signing the Notary Complaint form. The completed complaint form should be sent to the:
Wisconsin Office of the Secretary of State
P.O. Box 7848
Madison, WI 53707-7848
or by email to statesec@sos.state.wi.us
This complaint and the information provided will be used in efforts to review the problem or issue. It may also be used to enforce applicable state laws and to determine whether a notary should appropriately continue to perform notarizations or not. Under Wisconsin's Open Records Law, Wis. Stats. § 19.31, this complaint will be available for public review upon request, after the investigation and resulting action are completed.
If you would rather have an application mailed to you, send a request and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Secretary of State, Notary Forms Request, P. O. Box 7848, Madison, WI 53707.
Attorney Notary Public Application
The form used to apply for the attorney's notary public commission consists of a one page application and one page of instructions. An oath of office and bond are not part of the attorney's application process and need not be submitted. This application may be used ONLY by applicants who are licensed to practice law in Wisconsin. Note that any attorney who has had a Wisconsin Notary Public commission previously revoked may apply only for a four year commission.
If you would rather have an application mailed to you, send a request and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Secretary of State, Notary Forms Request, P. O. Box 7848, Madison, WI 53707.
Notary Public Information Change Forms
Top Ten List
The Top Ten List lists the ten most common mistakes the applicants make which result in rejection. The list includes: missing signatures, unreadable seals, original forms not sent, etc.
The preceding information is available for downloading in Acrobat
(pdf) format. You must have the Adobe
Acrobat Reader (free
download) installed to view and print these documents. To assure
proper printing of Acrobat files, be sure to use the Acrobat Print
Command (printer icon located in the lower left-hand corner of the
menu bar), not the Web browser print command. If you prefer, send
a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the address shown on the forms,
and request the forms be mailed to you.