How to Become a Michigan Notary in 2026
Michigan requires no bond, no exam, and no education for notary commission. Apply online, pay a small fee, take your Oath of Office at the county clerk within 90 days. Commission expires on your birthday in 6-7 years. Detroit NSAs earn $75-$200/signing.
Commission Cost
~$40 – $80
NSA-Ready Cost
~$305 – $695
NSA Signing Fee
$75 – $200
Commission Term
6-7 years
Oath of Office required at county clerk within 90 days
After receiving your commission in the mail, you must take your Oath of Office at your county clerk's office within 90 days. Bring your commission certificate. Missing this window can invalidate your commission.
$10 per-act fee cap — does not apply to NSA signing fees
Michigan caps individual notary acts at $10 each. This cap does not limit what a signing agent charges for facilitating a complete loan closing ($75-$200+ per appointment).
Best Michigan Notary Training Programs (2026)
1. NNA (Michigan Package)Best Supply Package
Michigan commission supply package: seal stamp, journal, NNA Hotline. No state training required — NNA packages are for recommended supplies only. Verify current pricing at nationalnotary.org/michigan/become-a-notary.
Verify
at NNA
2. Loan Signing System (LSS)Best NSA Training
#1 rated NSA training — 100,000+ students. Detroit Metro and Grand Rapids are strong Michigan NSA markets. $347 one-time or 4x$97/mo.
$347
Six Figure
3. NNA NSA CertificationIndustry Standard
Background screening + NSA certification required by most Michigan title companies. $199 (background + training) or $299 (adds NNA membership).
$199
or $299
Best Michigan Notary Training Programs
All 2 schools are Michigan Michigan Secretary of State-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
NNA NSA Certification
Industry Standard CredentialStarting at
$199
- Industry-standard background check required by most title companies
- NSA Certification Training and Exam (80%+ passing)
- Listing on SigningAgent.com directory included
- Mark Wills recommends getting BOTH LSS certification AND NNA certification
Available Packages (2)
Background Screening + Training
- Background Screening (required by mortgage industry)
- 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
- Detroit Metro and Grand Rapids are strong Michigan NSA markets
- Includes LSS Certification recognized by 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 /month
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
Michigan Notary — What Makes It Unusual
Michigan notaries are commissioned by the Michigan Secretary of State under MCL Chapter 55. Four things that make Michigan different:
Commission expires on birthday
6-7 years from issuance
Renewal: up to 60 days before birthday
No bond, no exam, no education
One of simplest states
Just apply + take oath at county clerk
$10/act fee cap
Does not apply to NSA fees
Signing agent service fees uncapped
Seal not legally required
Strongly recommended
Required for RON journal; 10-yr retention
How Much Do Michigan Notary Signing Agents Earn?
ZipRecruiter MI NSA
$53,235/yr
Aug 2025
Detroit Metro Top
$60K – $90K+
High-volume operators
Signing Fee
$75 – $150
Standard loan signing
Source: ZipRecruiter (Aug 2025). Individual earnings vary based on volume and market.
| Market | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Detroit Metro (Wayne/Oakland/Macomb) | $100 – $150 |
| Grand Rapids | $75 – $150 |
| Ann Arbor | $75 – $150 |
| Lansing / Traverse City | $75 – $125 |
How to Become a Michigan Notary — Step by Step
Apply online at michigan.gov/sos and pay fee
Apply at michigan.gov/sos/all-services/notary-application. No education course, no exam, and no surety bond required. Pay the state application fee (verify current amount at michigan.gov/sos/notary-services).
Take Oath of Office at county clerk within 90 days
After receiving your commission certificate in the mail, take your Oath of Office at your county clerk's office within 90 days. Bring your commission certificate. Missing this deadline can invalidate your commission.
Purchase notary seal (recommended) and journal
Notary seal is not legally required but strongly recommended and expected in professional settings. Journal is required for RON acts; best practice for all traditional notarizations. Commission expires on your birthday 6-7 years out.
Add NSA training for Detroit and Grand Rapids loan signing income
Loan Signing System ($347) for comprehensive NSA training + NNA background check ($199 — required by most Michigan title companies) + E&O insurance ($100,000, ~$100-$250/yr).
Michigan Notary Requirements at a Glance
Commission Requirements
- Age 18+; Michigan resident or MI-employed
- No mandatory education or exam
- No surety bond required
- State application fee (verify at michigan.gov/sos)
- Oath of Office at county clerk within 90 days
- Commission expires on your birthday (6-7 years)
- $10/act fee cap (NSA service fees uncapped)
Regulator
- Agency: Michigan Secretary of State
- Website: michigan.gov/sos/notary-services
- Apply: michigan.gov/sos/all-services/notary-application
- Statute: MCL Chapter 55 (MCL 55.265 et seq.)
- RON journal retention: 10 years
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Frequently Asked Questions — Michigan Notary
How do I become a notary public in Michigan?
Michigan is one of the easier states to enter. Apply online at michigan.gov/sos/all-services/notary-application, pay the application fee, and take your Oath of Office at your county clerk's office within 90 days of receiving your commission. No education course, no exam, and no surety bond are required. Purchase a notary seal (not legally required but strongly recommended) and a journal (required for RON acts).
Does Michigan require a bond, exam, or education?
No to all three. Michigan requires none of these for a standard notary commission. This makes Michigan one of the most accessible states to become a notary — the main requirements are residency (or Michigan employment), age 18+, no disqualifying criminal history, and the state application fee.
How long is a Michigan notary commission?
Michigan notary commissions are unusual — they expire on the notary's birthday approximately 6-7 years from issuance. The exact length depends on when in the year you apply. You can begin the renewal process up to 60 days before your birthday.
What is the Oath of Office requirement in Michigan?
After receiving your Michigan notary commission, you must take an Oath of Office at your county clerk's office within 90 days. Failure to take the oath in time may invalidate your commission. This is a simple in-person step — bring your commission certificate to the county clerk.
What is the $10 per-act fee cap in Michigan?
Michigan law caps what notaries may charge at $10 per notarial act. Charging above this amount is considered notary misconduct. Note: this cap applies to individual notary acts — it does not limit the service fee a notary signing agent charges for facilitating a complete loan closing package ($75-$200+ per appointment).
Does a Michigan notary need a seal?
Michigan law does not require notaries to use a seal or stamp, but it is strongly recommended as best practice and expected in most professional settings. If you do use a seal, it must include your name, "Notary Public, State of Michigan, County of [X]," commission expiration date, and the date of notarization.
How much does it cost to become a Michigan notary?
Basic commission: ~$40-$80 plus the state application fee (verify at michigan.gov/sos/notary-services). No bond required. Add $25-$50 for a notary seal and $15-$30 for a journal. NSA-ready total: ~$305-$695 (add LSS training $347, NNA background check $65, E&O insurance $100-$250/yr).
How much do Michigan notary signing agents earn?
ZipRecruiter data (Aug 2025) shows Michigan NSAs averaging $53,235/year. Full-time, high-volume operators in the Detroit Metro can earn $60,000-$90,000+. Detroit Metro, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Traverse City are the strongest Michigan NSA markets.
Does Michigan support Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
Yes. Michigan authorizes RON. Requirements include using a Michigan-approved RON technology platform, maintaining a mandatory electronic journal for all RON acts, and retaining audio-visual recordings for at least 10 years.
How do Michigan NSAs get clients?
Most Michigan NSAs start with Snapdocs, Notary Rotary, 123Notary, and SigningOrder. The Detroit Metro (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb counties) has the highest volume. Building direct relationships with local title companies in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor produces the most consistent signing income.