Wisconsin Notary Public Exam Overview
Wisconsin requires all new notary applicants (except attorneys) to complete an online tutorial and pass an exam administered by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). The good news: Wisconsin has one of the most affordable paths to becoming a notary, with a low $500 bond requirement and straightforward exam process.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Online tutorial + exam |
| Passing Score | 90% |
| Exam Fee | Free (included with tutorial) |
| Application Fee | $20 |
| Surety Bond | $500 required |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Retakes | Unlimited (free) |
Why Become a Wisconsin Notary?
- Free online exam - Tutorial and exam at no cost
- Lowest bond in the nation - Only $500 required
- Affordable total cost - Under $100 to get started
- No residency requirement - U.S. residents can apply
- Unlimited retakes - Retake the exam until you pass
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Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Notary Fundamentals (25%)
Commission Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- U.S. resident (no Wisconsin residency required)
- Equivalent of 8th-grade education
- No disqualifying criminal history (felony or fraud/forgery misdemeanor)
- Pass the DFI notary tutorial and exam
Application Process:
- Complete online tutorial and exam (DFI website)
- Print exam completion certificate
- Obtain $500 surety bond from Wisconsin-licensed surety
- Complete Notary Public Application form
- Submit oath of office
- Pay $20 application fee
- Submit all documents to WDFI
2. Types of Notarial Acts (30%)
Acknowledgments:
- Signer acknowledges signing document voluntarily
- Most common notarial act
- Used for deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney
- No oath required
Jurats (Verification Upon Oath):
- Signer swears or affirms content is true
- Signer MUST sign in notary's presence
- Notary administers oath or affirmation
- Used for affidavits and sworn statements
Oaths and Affirmations:
- Verbal promises of truthfulness
- May be administered without a document
- Affirmation is non-religious alternative to oath
- Used for depositions, witness oaths
Signature Witnessing:
- Witness document signing without oath
- Signer signs in notary's presence
- Different from acknowledgment
- Verify signer identity
Certifying Copies:
- Wisconsin notaries may certify copies of certain documents
- Cannot certify vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
- Must compare copy to original
3. Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 140 (25%)
Key Legal Provisions:
- Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 140 governs notaries
- Sec. 140.02 - Appointment of notaries
- Sec. 140.05 - Powers of notaries
- Sec. 140.07 - Official seal
- Sec. 140.08 - Fees
Prohibited Acts:
- Cannot notarize your own signature
- Cannot notarize when you have financial interest
- Cannot notarize without signer present
- Cannot provide legal advice
- Cannot certify vital records
- Cannot notarize incomplete documents
Penalties for Misconduct:
- Commission revocation
- Civil liability
- Criminal charges for fraud
- Fines
4. Identification and Procedures (15%)
Acceptable Identification:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Wisconsin driver's license or ID
- U.S. passport
- Military ID
- Must be valid (check expiration)
Personal Knowledge:
- Notary personally knows the signer
- Based on prior familiarity
- Most reliable identification method
- Document the basis in your journal
Satisfactory Evidence:
- When signer lacks acceptable ID
- Credible witness who knows signer
- Witness must have acceptable ID
- Witness swears to signer's identity
5. Seal, Journal, and Fees (5%)
Seal/Stamp Requirements:
- May be any size or shape
- Must include: "Notary Public," "State of Wisconsin," your legal last name
- Commission expiration date optional
- No extraneous logos or titles
- Must file sample with DFI before use
Journal Requirements:
- Journal NOT required by Wisconsin law
- Strongly recommended for protection
- Records help defend against claims
- Best practice for all notaries
Wisconsin Fee Schedule:
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Any notarial act | $5 |
| RON technology fee | Reasonable amount |
| Travel fees | Negotiable (agree in advance) |
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Notary fundamentals and requirements | 2-3 |
| Week 1 | Complete DFI online tutorial | 2-3 |
| Week 2 | Types of notarial acts | 2-3 |
| Week 2 | Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 140 | 2-3 |
| Week 2 | Take practice exams | 1-2 |
| Week 2-3 | Take official DFI exam | 1 hour |
Total recommended study time: 10-15 hours
Free Wisconsin Notary Exam Resources
The Wisconsin DFI provides the official tutorial and exam at no cost. Access additional study resources below.
Wisconsin-Specific Exam Tips
1. Use the Official DFI Tutorial
The Wisconsin DFI provides a free online tutorial:
- Covers all exam topics
- Directly prepares you for the exam
- Access at apps.dfi.wi.gov
- Complete all chapters before the exam
2. Understand the 90% Passing Score
Wisconsin requires 90% to pass:
- Higher than most states
- But exam is straightforward if you study
- Unlimited free retakes available
- Don't rush - take your time
3. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Wisconsin Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 90% |
| Bond amount | $500 |
| Application fee | $20 |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Max fee per act | $5 |
| Minimum age | 18 years |
4. Special Note for Attorneys
Wisconsin-licensed attorneys may obtain a permanent commission:
- No expiration date
- No exam required
- No bond required
- $50 application fee
- Must submit certificate of good standing (dated within 2 months)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not taking the official tutorial - The DFI tutorial is free and comprehensive
- Rushing through the exam - Take your time; you need 90%
- Forgetting bond before applying - Must have bond letter ready
- Using incorrect seal format - Submit sample to DFI for approval
- Not filing seal sample - Required before you can notarize
- Assuming all states are similar - Know Wisconsin-specific rules
After Passing Your Exam
- Print completion certificate from the DFI website
- Purchase $500 surety bond from Wisconsin-licensed surety ($25-$55)
- Complete the Notary Public Application form
- Sign the Oath of Office section
- Purchase notary seal/stamp meeting Wisconsin requirements
- Prepare seal sample to submit with application
- Submit all documents with $20 fee to WDFI
- Wait for approval (approximately 2 weeks)
- Begin notarizing after receiving your commission
Total Cost to Become a Wisconsin Notary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| DFI Tutorial/Exam | $0 (free) |
| Surety Bond (4 years) | $25-$55 |
| Application Fee | $20 |
| Notary Seal/Stamp | $20-$35 |
| Journal (optional) | $10-$20 |
| Total Estimated | $65-$130 |
Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Complete DFI tutorial | 2-4 hours |
| Pass the exam | 30-60 minutes |
| Obtain bond and seal | 1-2 days |
| Submit application | Same day |
| WDFI processing | ~2 weeks |
| Total | 2-3 weeks |
Remote Online Notarization in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has authorized Remote Online Notarization (RON):
RON Requirements
- Must hold current Wisconsin notary commission
- Use approved audio-video technology
- Perform identity verification (credential analysis + KBA)
- Maintain secure electronic records
- Follow all standard notarization requirements
RON Fees
- Maximum $5 per notarial act (same as in-person)
- May charge reasonable technology fee
2026 Wisconsin Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- RON technology requirements
- Electronic notarization developments
- Chapter 140 updates
- Fee schedule changes
Start Your Wisconsin Notary Career Today
Wisconsin offers one of the most affordable paths to notary commission, with a free exam, $500 bond (lowest in the nation), and $20 application fee. With proper preparation, you can pass the 90% exam on your first attempt.
Our resources include:
- Complete topic coverage
- Wisconsin Chapter 140 summaries
- Practice questions with explanations
- AI-powered study assistance