How to Become a South Dakota Notary in 2026
South Dakota eliminated its $5,000 bond requirement effective July 1, 2025 (HB 1133). Now there is no bond, no training, and no exam required. Commission is 6 years. Add NSA training to earn $75–$150 per signing.
Bond Required
None (since 2025)
Training Required
None
Commission Term
6 years
Eliminated By
HB 1133 (2025)
South Dakota eliminated the bond requirement in 2025 — now truly zero-barrier
Effective July 1, 2025, South Dakota House Bill 1133 eliminated the previously required $5,000 surety bond for notary commissioning. South Dakota now has near-zero mandatory costs (excluding application fee and supplies). The SD Notary Handbook is available at sdsos.gov.
Two Paths: Commission Only vs. Notary Signing Agent
Path 1: South Dakota Notary Commission
- Apply through SD Secretary of State (sdsos.gov)
- No bond required (since July 1, 2025)
- No training or exam required
- Purchase notary stamp + journal
- 6-year commission term
Path 2: Notary Signing Agent — Where the Money Is
Facilitate real estate loan closings at $75–$150 per appointment in Sioux Falls.
- SD notary commission (required first)
- NSA training (LSS $347 or Notary Coach)
- NNA background check
- E&O insurance ($100,000)
- Sign up on Snapdocs, Notary Rotary, 123Notary
Best South Dakota Notary Training Programs
All 3 schools are South Dakota South Dakota 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
- Community-based learning on Skool
- Phase-based coaching
- Cancel anytime
Available Packages (1)
Monthly Subscription — $49/mo
- Sign & Thrive NSA training course
- Skool community access
- Phase-based coaching
- Cancel anytime
NNA (National Notary Association)
Complete Commission PackageStarting at
$100
- Complete supply packages for South Dakota Notary Public Commission
- Bond eliminated July 1, 2025 via HB 1133 — no bond required
- 6-year commission term — longer than most states
- NSA Certification includes industry-standard background check
- No training or exam required
Available Packages (3)
Basic — $100
- Notary seal stamp
- South Dakota notary journal
- South Dakota Notary Primer handbook
Loan Signing System (LSS) — Mark Wills
Best NSA Training CourseStarting at
$347
- #1 rated NSA training course in the US
- Created by Mark Wills
- LSS Certification recognized by title companies
- 4 months LIVE 1:1 mentorship
- 100% money-back guarantee
Available Packages (1)
Six Figure Course — $347
- 24/7 Online Video NSA Training + LSS Certification
- Proven 9-Step Notary Business Blueprint
- 4 Months LIVE 1:1 Mentorship
- 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 a South Dakota Notary — Step by Step
Apply through South Dakota Secretary of State (sdsos.gov)
Since July 1, 2025, South Dakota has no bond requirement (HB 1133 eliminated it). No training or exam required. Apply at sdsos.gov. Verify current application fee before submitting.
Pay the application fee and receive your 6-year commission
SD's 6-year commission is one of the longer terms nationally — reducing renewal frequency. One application covers 6 years.
Review the SD Notary Public Handbook
Download the handbook from sdsos.gov. It covers proper notarial procedures, journal requirements, types of notarial acts, and SD notary law. Reading the handbook before your first notarization is strongly recommended.
Purchase your notary seal and journal
NNA Basic ($100) includes seal and journal — no bond needed since 2025. NNA Standard ($126) adds 6-year hotline. NNA Complete ($161) adds 1-year E&O insurance.
Add NSA training for loan signing income (recommended)
For $75–$150/appointment, complete NSA training through Loan Signing System ($347) or Notary Coach. Sioux Falls is South Dakota's most active NSA market — the fastest-growing large city in the upper Midwest.
Frequently Asked Questions — South Dakota Notary
Does South Dakota require a surety bond?
No. South Dakota eliminated the surety bond requirement effective July 1, 2025 via House Bill 1133. Previously a $5,000 bond was required. This change was described by the SD Secretary of State as streamlining the notary process and removing a barrier to entry.
How long is a South Dakota notary commission?
A South Dakota notary commission lasts 6 years — one of the longer terms nationally. The 6-year term was already in place before the 2025 bond elimination.
Does South Dakota require notary training?
No. South Dakota does not require any training course or exam before commissioning.
Where can I find the South Dakota notary handbook?
The South Dakota Notary Public Handbook is available at sdsos.gov/general-services/notary-public/docs/SDNotaryPublicHandbook.pdf. The handbook covers proper notarial procedures, types of notarial acts, and record-keeping requirements under South Dakota law.
How much does it cost to become a South Dakota notary?
Since the bond was eliminated in 2025, startup costs have dropped significantly. NNA Basic ($100) includes the seal stamp and journal. NNA Standard ($126) adds 6-year hotline. NNA Complete ($161) adds 1-year E&O insurance. Total startup is approximately $100–$250 — very affordable given the 6-year commission term.
What changed with South Dakota HB 1133?
South Dakota House Bill 1133, effective July 1, 2025, eliminated the $5,000 surety bond requirement that had previously been required for notary commissioning. The SOS stated the change streamlines the process and removes a financial barrier. No other requirements changed — no training, no exam were previously required and still are not.
Can I become a Notary Signing Agent in South Dakota?
Yes. After obtaining your South Dakota notary commission, complete NSA training through Loan Signing System ($347) or Notary Coach to facilitate real estate loan closings earning $75–$150 per appointment. Sioux Falls is the primary SD NSA market.
What are the best markets for South Dakota NSAs?
Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest city and strongest NSA market — the fastest-growing large city in the upper Midwest, with consistent real estate activity. Rapid City (western SD, near Mount Rushmore) is the second-largest market. The Black Hills region has active tourism-driven real estate and short-term rental activity. Aberdeen serves north-central SD.
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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.