How to Become a Notary Public in South Dakota
South Dakota does not require an exam or education to become a notary public. As of July 1, 2025, the state also eliminated the surety bond requirement, making it even easier and more affordable to become commissioned. Applications are processed through the South Dakota Secretary of State.
South Dakota Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Residency | South Dakota resident OR bordering county with workplace in SD |
| Exam Required | No |
| Education Required | No |
| Surety Bond | Not required (eliminated July 1, 2025) |
| Commission Term | 6 years |
| Application Fee | $30 |
Why Become a South Dakota Notary?
- No exam or education required - Simple application process
- No surety bond required - Eliminated in 2025, reducing costs
- 6-year commission - Longer term than many states
- Low application fee - Only $30
- Border county flexibility - Bordering state residents with SD workplace can apply
- Remote notarization - South Dakota allows Remote Online Notarization (RON)
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Step-by-Step: How to Become a South Dakota Notary
Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements
To become a South Dakota notary public, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a South Dakota resident OR live in a bordering county (in Nebraska, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, or Iowa) and maintain a physical place of work/business in South Dakota
- Have no felony convictions
Step 2: Complete the Application
Obtain and complete the application from the South Dakota Secretary of State:
- Download the application from sdsos.gov or obtain it by mail
- Complete all required fields accurately
- No bond required as of July 1, 2025 (HB 1133)
Online Portal: Applications can be submitted through the Secretary of State's online business services portal.
Step 3: Submit Application and Fee
Submit your completed application to:
South Dakota Secretary of State 500 East Capitol Avenue Pierre, SD 57501
Include:
- Completed application
- $30 filing fee (for appointment or reappointment)
Note: The fee is the same for new applications and renewals.
Step 4: Receive Your Commission
Once approved:
- You'll receive your Notary Commission Certificate from the Secretary of State
- Your commission is valid for 6 years
- You can begin performing notarial acts after obtaining your seal
Step 5: Purchase Notary Supplies
After receiving your commission, purchase required supplies:
Official Notary Seal (Required):
- South Dakota law requires all notaries to use an official seal
- Can be either an embossing seal or rubber stamp
- Must include at minimum: Your name as commissioned
- Cost: $20-$50
Notary Journal (Not Required):
- South Dakota does not require notaries to maintain a journal
- However, keeping a journal is recommended for your protection
- Cost: $15-$30
South Dakota Notary Fees
South Dakota notaries may charge reasonable fees for their services. While there is no statutory maximum, fees should be fair and disclosed upfront.
| Service | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Notarial act | $5-$15 |
| Travel fees | By agreement |
Important Notes:
- Fees should be reasonable and disclosed before performing services
- Travel fees are by separate agreement
- Some employers may prohibit their employees from charging notary fees
South Dakota-Specific Requirements
Seal Requirements
Your notary seal must contain at minimum:
- Your name as it appears on your commission
South Dakota law allows either:
- Metal embossing seal (leaves raised impression)
- Rubber stamp with ink
Recommendation: Include "Notary Public" and "South Dakota" on your seal even though not strictly required by statute.
Certificate Requirements
Every notarial certificate should include:
- Your signature
- Your official seal impression
- Date of notarization
- Venue (state and county where act occurred)
Record Keeping
South Dakota does not require notaries to maintain a journal of notarial acts. However, keeping a journal is strongly recommended because:
- It provides documentation if acts are questioned
- It protects you from liability claims
- It helps track your notarial activity
Recommended journal entries:
- Date and time of notarization
- Type of notarial act
- Document type and description
- Signer's name and identification method
- Fee charged (if any)
- Your signature
Remote Online Notarization (RON) in South Dakota
South Dakota authorized Remote Online Notarization effective July 1, 2024 (Senate Bill 211, SDCL 18-1-11.2 et seq.).
RON Key Requirements
To perform RON in South Dakota:
- Hold a valid South Dakota notary commission
- Use compliant technology that provides audio-visual communication
- Perform two-factor identity proofing of the signer
Note: No separate e-notary commission is required - any valid SD notary may perform RON if compliant with the law.
RON Technical Requirements
- Notary Location: Must be physically in South Dakota during RON
- Signer Location: Can be anywhere in the world
- Identity Verification: Two different methods required:
- Remote ID presentation (government photo ID via video)
- Credential analysis (software validation of ID)
- Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) or similar second method
- Recording: Audio-visual recording required with 10-year retention
Remote Ink-Signed Notarization (RIN)
South Dakota also allows Remote Ink-Signed Notarization:
- Paper-based notarization performed virtually
- Signer signs physical document on camera
- Original document mailed to notary for completion
- Useful for situations requiring wet ink signatures
2025 Bond Elimination
Important Update: South Dakota HB 1133 eliminated the $5,000 surety bond requirement effective July 1, 2025. According to the Secretary of State, this change "streamlines the notary process and removes a barrier" to becoming a notary.
Before July 1, 2025: Required $5,000 surety bond After July 1, 2025: No bond required
This makes South Dakota one of the most affordable states to become a notary.
Total Cost to Become a South Dakota Notary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $30 |
| Surety Bond | Not required (eliminated 2025) |
| Notary Seal | $20-$50 |
| Journal (optional) | $15-$30 |
| Total Estimated | $50-$110 |
Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Complete application | 1 day |
| Submit to Secretary of State | 1 day |
| Processing time | 1-2 weeks |
| Purchase supplies | 1-3 days |
| Total | 1-3 weeks |
South Dakota Notary Renewal
Renewal Process
- Commission term: 6 years
- Renewal fee: $30 (same as new application)
- Bond required: No (as of July 2025)
Tips for Renewal
- Apply before your current commission expires
- Update your notary seal if it includes expiration date
- Notify regular clients of your renewed commission
Start Your South Dakota Notary Career Today
South Dakota offers one of the simplest and most affordable paths to becoming a notary public. With no exam, no education, and no bond requirement (as of 2025), you can be commissioned for as little as $50-$80.