How to Become a Missouri Notary in 2026
Missouri requires no exam and no mandatory training. The key: two-step process — get your commission from the Secretary of State, then file the $10,000 bond and take your oath at the county clerk within 60 days. Kansas City NSAs earn $100–$175/signing.
Commission Cost
~$110 – $195
NSA-Ready Cost
~$375 – $810
KC/STL Signing Fee
$100 – $175
Commission Term
4 years
Missouri has a two-step process — you cannot notarize until BOTH steps are complete
Step 1: Apply to the Secretary of State and receive your commission. Step 2: Within 60 days, execute a $10,000 surety bond and file it with your county clerk, where you also take your Oath of Office. You may not begin notarizing until both steps are done. The bond must match your commission dates exactly.
Best Missouri Notary Training Programs (2026)
1. NNA (Missouri Package)Best Supply Package
Missouri commission packages include the $10,000 bond, seal, journal, and NNA Hotline. No state exam required — NNA packages are supply-focused. Verify current pricing at NNA.
Verify
at NNA
2. Loan Signing System (LSS)Best NSA Training
#1 rated NSA training — 100,000+ students. Kansas City and St. Louis are Missouri's top NSA markets with $100-$175 signing fees. $347 one-time or 4x$97/mo.
$347
Six Figure
3. NNA NSA CertificationIndustry Standard
Background check + NSA certification required by most Kansas City and St. Louis title companies. $199 (background + training) or $299 (adds NNA membership).
$199
or $299
Best Missouri Notary Training Programs
All 3 schools are Missouri Missouri Secretary of State-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
NNA (National Notary Association)
Best Supply PackageStarting at
$0
- Missouri commission packages: $10,000 bond, seal, journal, NNA Hotline
- Bond included in MO packages — must be filed with county clerk
- Optional notary training available (no state requirement)
- NEEDS_REVIEW: Verify exact MO package pricing at nationalnotary.org/missouri/become-a-notary
Available Packages (1)
Missouri Commission Package
- $10,000 surety bond (4-year)
- Notary seal/stamp
- Notary journal
- NNA Hotline
- NEEDS_REVIEW: Verify current MO pricing at NNA
NNA NSA Certification
Industry Standard CredentialStarting at
$199
- Industry-standard background check required by Kansas City and St. Louis title companies
- NSA Certification Training and Exam (80%+ passing)
- Listing on SigningAgent.com directory included
Available Packages (2)
Background Screening + Training
- Background Screening
- NSA Certification Training and Exam
- Listing on SigningAgent.com
Loan Signing System (LSS) - Mark Wills
Best NSA Training CourseStarting at
$347
- #1 rated NSA training course — 100,000+ students nationwide
- Kansas City and St. Louis are Missouri's top NSA markets ($100-$175/signing)
- Includes LSS Certification recognized by MO title companies
- 4 months LIVE 1:1 mentorship + biweekly coaching calls
- 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days
Available Packages (1)
Six Figure Course
- NSA Training + LSS Certification
- 9-Step Notary Business Blueprint
- Video walkthroughs of all 5 loan signing types
- 4 months mentorship + coaching calls
- 300+ companies hiring signing agents
- Payment plan: 4 x $97/month
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
Missouri Notary — Key Facts
Two-step process
SOS commission + county clerk bond + oath
Cannot notarize until both steps done
No exam, no mandatory training
$25 SOS fee + bond
Among simplest states to enter
$10,000 bond at county clerk
60 days deadline; must match commission dates
E&O does NOT replace bond
Kansas City + St. Louis markets
$100-$175/signing
Strong year-round mortgage volume
How Much Do Missouri Notary Signing Agents Earn?
Kansas City/St. Louis Fee
$100 – $175
Per signing appointment
Full-Time MO NSA
$60K – $90K+
High-volume operators
Statewide Range
$75 – $150
Per loan signing
| Market | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Metro | $100 – $175 |
| St. Louis Metro | $100 – $175 |
| Springfield | $75 – $150 |
| Columbia / Jefferson City | $75 – $125 |
How to Become a Missouri Notary — Step by Step
Submit typed application to Missouri SOS with $25 fee
Apply at sos.mo.gov. The application must be typed (not handwritten). $25 application fee. No education or exam required.
Execute $10,000 surety bond within 60 days of approval
Obtain a $10,000 surety bond from a licensed Missouri surety company. The bond must cover the same 4-year dates as your commission. Cost: ~$40-$70. NNA packages include the bond.
File bond with county clerk and take oath of office
File the bond at your county clerk's office and take your Oath of Office there. Important: you cannot begin performing notarial acts until this step is complete. County filing fee varies (~$5-$20).
Purchase notary seal and journal
Buy a notary seal and journal. Seal should include your name, "Notary Public," "State of Missouri," and commission expiration date.
Add NSA training for Kansas City and St. Louis loan signing income
Loan Signing System ($347) for comprehensive NSA training + NNA background check ($199 — required by Kansas City and St. Louis title companies) + E&O insurance (~$100-$250/yr).
Missouri Notary Requirements at a Glance
Commission Requirements
- Age 18+; MO resident or MO-employed
- No education or exam required
- $25 typed application to SOS
- $10,000 surety bond (file at county clerk within 60 days)
- County clerk oath of office
- Notary seal + journal required
- 4-year commission term
Regulator
- Agency: Missouri Secretary of State
- Website: sos.mo.gov
- Bond filing: s1.sos.mo.gov/business/notary/notarybond
- Statute: RSMo Chapter 486
- RON: Authorized; separate electronic notary commission required
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Frequently Asked Questions — Missouri Notary
How do I become a notary public in Missouri?
Submit a typed application to the Missouri Secretary of State at sos.mo.gov with a $25 fee. After approval, within 60 days execute a $10,000 surety bond through a licensed Missouri surety and file it with your county clerk, where you also take your oath of office. Only after filing the bond and qualifying at the county level may you begin notarizing. Purchase a notary seal and journal. No training or exam required.
What is Missouri's two-step county qualifying process?
Missouri has a unique two-step process: Step 1 — apply to the Secretary of State (state level) and receive your commission. Step 2 — within 60 days, execute a $10,000 bond from a licensed Missouri surety, file it with your county clerk, and take your oath of office there. You cannot begin notarizing until both steps are complete. The bond must be filed at the county level, not just with the state.
Does Missouri require an exam or education for notaries?
No. Missouri requires neither mandatory education nor an exam for a standard notary commission. This makes Missouri one of the simpler states to enter. Voluntary training through providers like NNA is available and can help you perform your duties correctly, but it is not required by state law.
Does Missouri require a surety bond?
Yes. Missouri requires a $10,000 surety bond that must be filed with your county clerk within 60 days of receiving your commission. The bond must cover the same 4-year dates as your commission. Bond cost is typically $40-$70 for the 4-year term. E&O insurance does NOT replace the bond — both may be needed for NSA work.
How long is a Missouri notary commission?
A Missouri notary commission lasts 4 years. At renewal, the same two-step process applies: reapply to the Secretary of State with the $25 fee, then file a new bond and re-qualify at the county clerk. Verify current renewal requirements at sos.mo.gov.
What are the seal and journal requirements in Missouri?
Missouri requires a notary seal/stamp. The seal should include your name, "Notary Public," "State of Missouri," and commission expiration date. A notary journal is strongly recommended as best practice and required for RON acts. Verify current Missouri seal specifications at sos.mo.gov.
How much does it cost to become a Missouri notary?
Basic commission: ~$110-$195 ($25 SOS application + $40-$70 bond + $5-$20 county clerk filing + $25-$50 seal + $15-$30 journal). No mandatory training cost. NSA-ready total: ~$375-$810 (add LSS training $347, NNA background check $65, E&O insurance $100-$250/yr).
How much do Missouri notary signing agents earn?
Missouri NSA income aligns with national ranges. Kansas City and St. Louis metros support premium fees of $100-$175 per signing. Full-time Kansas City and St. Louis NSAs with direct title company relationships earn $60,000-$90,000+. Springfield, Columbia, and Jefferson City provide steady secondary markets.
What are the best Missouri markets for notary signing agents?
Kansas City Metro (Jackson, Clay, Platte, Cass counties) is the largest and most active Missouri NSA market. St. Louis Metro is the second-largest with a diverse economy and active real estate market. Springfield is a growing Southwest Missouri market. Columbia, Jefferson City, and St. Joseph provide steady volume.
Does Missouri support Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
Yes. Missouri authorizes RON. To perform RON, notaries must apply for a separate electronic notary commission through the Secretary of State, obtain a digital certificate, and use approved technology. Verify current RON requirements and registration procedures at sos.mo.gov.