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Key Facts: Michigan Notary Exam

$10,000

Surety bond filed with the county clerk before commissioning

Michigan Law on Notarial Acts (MiLONA)

$10.00

Maximum fee a Michigan notary may charge per notarial act

MCL 55.285(7)

6-7 years

Commission term, ending on the notary's birthday

Michigan Secretary of State, Notary Services

No exam

Michigan requires no written notary exam or state course

Michigan Secretary of State, Notary Services

2018

Year Michigan authorized remote online notarization

P.A. 330 & 360 of 2018 (HB 5811)

$10

Nonrefundable state processing fee for the notary application

MCL 55.281 / Michigan Secretary of State

Michigan commissions notaries through the Secretary of State for a 6-to-7-year term that ends on the notary's birthday, with no mandatory written exam. Applicants must be 18+, file a $10,000 surety bond with the county clerk, take an oath, and pay a $10 state processing fee. A Michigan notary may charge no more than $10 per notarial act, cannot certify true copies, and can perform remote online notarizations only on Secretary of State-approved platforms.

Sample Michigan Notary Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Michigan Notary exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which Michigan official or body commissions notaries public in Michigan?
A.The clerk of the county probate court
B.The Michigan Secretary of State (Office of the Great Seal)
C.The Michigan Lieutenant Governor
D.The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Explanation: Under Michigan's Law on Notarial Acts (MiLONA, P.A. 238 of 2003), the Secretary of State, through the Office of the Great Seal, qualifies, appoints, and regulates notaries public. The notary commission itself is issued by the Secretary of State, not a court or county official.
2What is the name of the principal statute governing notaries public in Michigan?
A.The Uniform Notary Act
B.Michigan's Law on Notarial Acts (MiLONA), P.A. 238 of 2003
C.The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA)
D.The Michigan Notary Commission Code of 1998
Explanation: Michigan notaries are governed by the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts (MiLONA), Public Act 238 of 2003, as amended, codified at MCL 55.261 et seq. It provides for the qualification, appointment, and regulation of notaries by the Secretary of State.
3What is the term length of a Michigan notary public commission?
A.Not less than 6 nor more than 7 years, ending on the notary's birthday
B.Exactly 5 years, expiring on December 31
C.Exactly 4 years from the date of appointment
D.10 years, renewable indefinitely
Explanation: A Michigan notary commission runs for a 6-to-7-year period that ends on the notary's birthday. If commissioned before the birthday that year, the term is 6 years from the next birthday; if after, it is 7 years. The term is never less than 6 nor more than 7 years.
4Does Michigan require an applicant to pass a written state notary examination before being commissioned?
A.No, Michigan does not require a written notary exam or a state-approved course
B.Yes, but only for remote online notaries
C.Yes, a 50-question proctored exam with a 70% passing score
D.Yes, an oral exam administered by the county clerk
Explanation: Michigan does not mandate a written notary examination or a state-approved education course to be commissioned. The applicant must meet eligibility requirements, file a $10,000 bond, take an oath, and submit the application and processing fee. A practice test like this one helps a prospective notary learn MiLONA even though no exam is required.
5What is the minimum age to become a notary public in Michigan?
A.16 years old
B.25 years old
C.21 years old
D.18 years old
Explanation: An applicant for a Michigan notary commission must be at least 18 years of age. This is one of the basic eligibility requirements under MiLONA, along with residency, legal presence, and the ability to read and write English.
6A person who lives in Ohio but operates a business in Wayne County, Michigan, wants a Michigan notary commission. Are they eligible based on residency?
A.No, only Michigan residents may ever be commissioned
B.No, non-residents must wait until they establish Michigan residency for one year
C.Yes, but only if they also register to vote in Michigan
D.Yes, a non-resident who maintains a principal place of business in a Michigan county may be commissioned in that county
Explanation: Michigan allows applicants who are either residents of a Michigan county or who maintain a principal place of business in a Michigan county to be commissioned in that county. A non-resident business owner in Wayne County therefore qualifies on the residency element.
7What is the amount of the surety bond a Michigan notary applicant must file with the county clerk?
A.$5,000
B.$7,500
C.$10,000
D.$25,000
Explanation: Michigan requires applicants to file a $10,000 surety bond with the clerk of the county in which they reside or maintain a principal place of business. The bond protects the public from financial harm caused by a notary's official misconduct.
8With which official is the Michigan notary surety bond filed, and who administers the oath of office?
A.The Secretary of State by mail
B.The county clerk of the applicant's county
C.The local circuit court judge
D.A licensed insurance agent
Explanation: Before applying to the Secretary of State, the applicant files the $10,000 surety bond with the county clerk and takes the constitutional oath of office, which the county clerk administers. The clerk completes a portion of the application verifying these steps.
9Which category of applicant is exempt from filing the $10,000 surety bond with the county clerk?
A.Applicants over age 65
B.Government employees
C.Licensed Michigan attorneys
D.Applicants renewing a commission
Explanation: Since April 1, 2007, licensed Michigan attorneys are not required to file the surety bond. They must still file an oath of office with the county clerk and otherwise comply with MiLONA.
10What is the nonrefundable processing fee the State charges to process a Michigan notary application?
A.$75.00
B.$20.00
C.$50.00
D.$10.00
Explanation: The application to the Secretary of State must be accompanied by a $10.00 nonrefundable processing fee, payable to the State of Michigan. One dollar of each fee is deposited into the notary education and training fund.

About the Michigan Notary Exam

A Michigan notary public is an impartial officer commissioned by the Secretary of State under the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts (MiLONA) to verify identities and witness signings to help prevent fraud. Michigan requires no written exam, but every prospective notary must learn MiLONA's rules on bonds, fees, certificates, and prohibited acts.

Exam sponsor: Michigan Secretary of State, Office of the Great Seal. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

No state exam; this practice test is self-paced

Passing Score

No state passing score; aim for 85%+ on this practice test before applying

Exam / Certification Fees

$10 nonrefundable state processing fee (plus a county filing fee, commonly ~$10)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

30%

Qualifications, Commissioning & Bond

Eligibility, the $10,000 surety bond filed with the county clerk, oath of office, $10 state processing fee, the 6-to-7-year term ending on the notary's birthday, and renewal.

25%

Notarial Acts, Certificates & Identification

Acknowledgments vs. jurats, oaths and affirmations, witnessing signatures, personal appearance, satisfactory evidence of identity, and prescribed Secretary of State certificate forms.

15%

Seal, Stamp & Required Statements

Optional seal/stamp, MCL 55.287 required statements, signing exactly as commissioned, the out-of-county 'Acting in the County of' rule, and the embosser-only prohibition.

12%

Fees, Liability & Recordkeeping

The $10 maximum fee per act, mandatory fee disclosure, negotiated travel fees, bond liability for official misconduct, optional E&O insurance, and journal rules.

10%

Remote & Electronic Notarization

RON authorized in 2018, approved-vendor platforms, identity proofing and credential analysis, the single remote journal with 10-year retention, and remote ink notarization status.

8%

Prohibited Acts, UPL & Discipline

Conflict of interest, prohibited family-relationship notarizations, unauthorized practice of law, suspension for noncompliance, and civil and felony penalties.

Preparing for the Michigan Notary Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No state passing score; aim for 85%+ on this practice test before applying
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: No state exam; this practice test is self-paced
  • Exam / certification fees: $10 nonrefundable state processing fee (plus a county filing fee, commonly ~$10) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 200 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
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  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Michigan Notary: Suggested Study Strategy

1Read the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts (MiLONA, Act 238 of 2003) in full - MCL 55.283 actually requires notaries to obtain and read the statutes before performing acts.
2Memorize the core Michigan numbers: $10,000 bond, $10 maximum fee per act, $10 state processing fee, and the 6-to-7-year term ending on your birthday.
3Learn the difference between an acknowledgment (signer need not sign in your presence) and a jurat (signer must sign and swear in your presence).
4Master the required certificate statements in MCL 55.287, including 'Notary public, State of Michigan, County of ______' and 'Acting in the County of ______' for out-of-county acts.
5Study the prohibited acts: no certified true copies, no notarizing for a spouse or close relatives, and no acts where you have a disqualifying interest (MCL 55.291).
6Understand Michigan's remote notarization rules, including approved platforms, identity proofing, and the single remote journal with 10-year retention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pass an exam to become a notary in Michigan?

No. Michigan does not require a written notary exam or a state-approved education course. You must meet eligibility requirements, file a $10,000 surety bond and oath with your county clerk, and apply to the Secretary of State with a $10 processing fee. This practice test helps you learn the law that governs your duties.

How long does a Michigan notary commission last?

A Michigan notary commission runs for a 6-to-7-year period that ends on the notary's birthday. If you are commissioned before your birthday that year, the term is 6 years from your next birthday; if after, it is 7 years. It is never less than 6 nor more than 7 years.

What does it cost to become a Michigan notary?

You pay a $10 nonrefundable state processing fee to the Secretary of State and a county filing fee (commonly about $10, higher in some large counties). You also buy a $10,000 surety bond, whose premium is usually a modest fraction of the bond amount. A seal, journal, and errors-and-omissions insurance are optional extras.

How much can a Michigan notary charge per notarial act?

Michigan law (MCL 55.285) caps the fee at $10.00 per individual transaction or notarial act. You may charge less but never more, and you must either display a fee sign or advise the signer of the fee before performing the act. A separate travel fee may be agreed upon in advance.

Can a Michigan notary certify a copy of a document?

No. A Michigan notary cannot certify or notarize that a record is an original or a true copy of another record. Instead, the notary can notarize a signer's sworn statement about a copy, but the notary may not make the true-copy determination.

Can I perform remote online notarizations in Michigan?

Yes. Michigan authorized remote online notarization in 2018. After you are commissioned, you must select a Secretary of State-approved RON platform, notify the Secretary of State of your platform using the change form, and keep a single remote-notary journal for at least 10 years. Remote ink notarization is not a standing authorized practice.