Not a government website. We are a private company, not affiliated with any Secretary of State, notary commissioning office or contractor licensing board. Renewal applications are filed directly with your state.
State of Missouri notary renewal in short
The Secretary of State is plain about it: a renewing notary follows the same procedures as someone who never held a commission. That means reading the handbook, taking the training and passing the exam with 80% or better before the commission is issued.[1][5][6]
The application can go in no earlier than six weeks before your current commission expires, with the $25 fee ($15 commission plus $10 technology fee).[1][2][7]
Missouri rules side by side with other states: how to renew a notary commission. Other states: New York notary renewal, Texas notary renewal, Florida notary renewal, Illinois notary renewal, Colorado notary renewal, North Carolina notary renewal, Ohio notary renewal, California notary renewal, New Jersey notary renewal, Virginia notary renewal, Georgia notary renewal, Michigan notary renewal, Arizona notary renewal, Pennsylvania notary renewal.
Missouri notary renewal requirements
This table is what Missouri Secretary of State and RSMo §§486.600–486.690 say, read on 2026-11-15. Where they say nothing, the row says so instead of guessing.
| Commission term | 4 years.[3] (RSMo 486.610) |
|---|---|
| Earliest day to apply | Send your application no earlier than six weeks before your current commission expires.[1][2] |
| State fee | $25: a $15 commission fee plus a $10 technology fee. The county clerk charges its own fee to swear you in.[2][7] (RSMo 28.160) |
| Bond | A $10,000 surety bond for the 4-year term, presented to the county clerk with your oath.[4] (RSMo 486.615) |
| Course to renew | Missouri law has no renewal: you repeat every new-notary step, including the handbook and training.[1][5] (RSMo 486.625) |
| Exam to renew | Yes: a score of 80% or better on the Secretary of State's exam before the commission is issued.[6] (RSMo 486.630) |
| Fingerprints or background check | No fingerprint check. The application asks about criminal convictions, and the Secretary of State may deny it for a felony or dishonesty offense in the past 5 years.[6] |
| Oath | Take the oath before the county clerk within 60 days of the commission issue date, then mail the oath and bond to the Secretary of State postmarked within 7 days.[5] (RSMo 486.625) |
| Seal or stamp | Check with the Missouri Secretary of State. |
| Journal | Check with the Missouri Secretary of State. |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Check with the Missouri Secretary of State. |
Bond and oath at the county clerk
Within 60 days of the commission issue date you present the oath and a new $10,000 surety bond to the county clerk, then mail them to the Secretary of State postmarked within 7 days of the oath.[4][5] The county clerk charges its own swearing-in fee.[2] There is no fingerprint check, but convictions go on the application.[6]
How to renew a Missouri notary commission, step by step
Missouri renewal is 5 steps, in this order.[1][2][5][6]
- Read the notary handbook and take the training.
- Pass the exam with 80% or better.
- No earlier than six weeks before expiration, submit a new application with the $25 fee.
- Buy a new $10,000 bond and, within 60 days of issue, take the oath at your county clerk.
- Mail the oath and bond to the Secretary of State within 7 days of the oath.
You apply to Missouri Secretary of State yourself: Missouri notary page. The state decides the application and its timing.
If your Missouri commission already expired
There is no grace period and no renewal in Missouri law: a former notary submits a new application and meets every requirement again.[5]
After a lapse: course yes[5][6]; exam required[5][6].
Name or address change during your commission
Check with the Missouri Secretary of State.
Electronic and remote online notarization: Remote online notaries register separately under RSMo 486.1100–486.1205.[1]