How to Become an Iowa Notary in 2026
Iowa is one of the simplest states to commission as a notary — no bond, no exam, and no mandatory training. Apply through the Iowa Secretary of State and start your 3-year commission. Add NSA training to earn $75–$150 per signing appointment.
Bond Required
None
Training Required
None
Exam Required
None
Commission Term
3 years
Two Paths: Commission Only vs. Notary Signing Agent
Path 1: Iowa Notary Commission
Apply directly through Iowa SOS. Very low barrier to entry.
- Apply through Iowa Secretary of State
- No training or exam required
- No bond required
- Purchase notary stamp + journal
Path 2: Notary Signing Agent — Where the Money Is
Facilitate real estate loan closings at $75–$150 per appointment.
- Iowa notary commission (required first)
- NSA training (LSS $347 or NNA packages)
- NNA background check (required by most companies)
- E&O insurance ($100,000)
- Sign up on Snapdocs, Notary Rotary, 123Notary
Best Iowa Notary Training Programs
All 3 schools are Iowa Iowa Secretary of State-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
Notary Coach — Sign & Thrive (Bill Soroka)
Best Subscription ModelStarting at
$49
- Created by Bill Soroka — author of Sign & Thrive
- Community-based learning on Skool platform
- Phase-based coaching system for new and experienced NSAs
- Lower monthly commitment vs. one-time course fees
- Active community of working notary signing agents
Available Packages (1)
Monthly Subscription — $49/mo
- Sign & Thrive NSA training course
- Skool community access
- Phase-based coaching
- Live Q&A sessions
- Cancel anytime
NNA (National Notary Association)
Complete Commission PackageStarting at
$85
- Complete supply packages for Iowa Notary Public Commission
- No bond, no exam, no training required in Iowa
- NSA Certification includes industry-standard background check
- NNA Hotline: real-time guidance from experienced professionals
- One of the simplest states for new notaries to commission
Available Packages (3)
Basic — $85
- Notary seal stamp
- Iowa notary journal
- Iowa Notary Primer handbook
Loan Signing System (LSS) — Mark Wills
Best NSA Training CourseStarting at
$347
- #1 rated NSA training course in the US — 100,000+ students nationwide
- Created by Mark Wills — NNA keynote speaker with 10,000+ signings
- LSS Certification recognized by title companies and signing services
- 4 months LIVE 1:1 mentorship + biweekly coaching calls
- 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days
Available Packages (1)
Six Figure Course — $347
- 24/7 Online Video NSA Training + LSS Certification
- Proven 9-Step Notary Business Blueprint
- Video walkthroughs of all 5 loan signing types
- 4 Months LIVE 1:1 Mentorship + Biweekly Coaching Calls
- List of 300+ companies that hire notary 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.
How to Become an Iowa Notary — Step by Step
Apply through Iowa Secretary of State (sos.iowa.gov)
Iowa requires no training course, no exam, and no surety bond. Apply directly through the Iowa SOS. Iowa is one of the simplest states to commission — new notaries can be active within 2–3 weeks of starting the process.
Pay the application fee and receive your 3-year commission
Verify the current application fee at sos.iowa.gov before applying. Your commission term is 3 years — shorter than most states, so plan to renew promptly.
Purchase your notary stamp and journal
After receiving your commission, buy your Iowa notary stamp/seal and a notary journal. NNA packages provide everything you need. The NNA Basic package ($85) is primarily just the seal stamp — lowest-cost option for Iowa.
Add NSA training for loan signing income (recommended)
For $75–$150/appointment income, complete NSA training through Loan Signing System ($347) or NNA packages. Get the NNA background check and E&O insurance required by title companies. Des Moines and Quad Cities (Davenport) have active NSA markets.
Iowa Secretary of State — Notary Information
Official Resources
- SOS Notary page: sos.iowa.gov
- Commission term: 3 years
- Bond required: None
- Training required: None
- Exam required: None
Iowa NSA Market
Des Moines metro is Iowa's largest market with steady purchase and refinance activity. Quad Cities (Davenport) spans the Iowa-Illinois border — signing agents can serve both markets. Iowa City (University of Iowa) and Cedar Rapids round out the active signing zones.
Speed advantage: Iowa's no-barrier process means new NSAs can be commissioned and earning within 2–3 weeks — faster than most licensed or exam-required states.
Frequently Asked Questions — Iowa Notary
How do I become a notary in Iowa?
Iowa has one of the simplest notary commissioning processes in the US. No training course, no exam, and no surety bond are required. Apply through the Iowa Secretary of State, pay the application fee, and receive your 3-year commission.
Does Iowa require notary training or an exam?
No. Iowa does not require any training course or exam before commissioning a notary. This makes Iowa one of the most accessible states for new notaries.
Is there a bond requirement in Iowa?
No. Iowa does not require a surety bond for notary public commissioning.
How long is an Iowa notary commission?
An Iowa notary commission lasts 3 years.
Can I become a Notary Signing Agent in Iowa?
Yes. After obtaining your Iowa notary commission, you can complete NSA training through Loan Signing System ($347) or NNA packages to facilitate real estate loan closings earning $75–$150 per appointment.
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Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources:
Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board before enrolling or submitting any application. Learn how we source our data.