I’m excited to share that I’ve officially started the process of becoming a Missouri Notary Public! 🎉
For those who don’t know, a notary is someone authorized by the state to witness signatures, verify identities, and help prevent fraud in legal documents. It may sound simple, but it’s an incredibly important role—especially in the world of business licensing and citizen initiative petitions.
How to Become a Notary in Missouri
The process is fairly straightforward, but it does require a few steps:
1. Apply through the Missouri Secretary of State (SOS):
You’ll start by completing the notary application online. The SOS office reviews and issues commissions. Learn more here.
2. Meet the requirements:
Be at least 18 years old.
Live or work in Missouri.
Have no felony convictions that would disqualify you.
Pass the notary training and exam provided by the SOS.
3. Obtain a Surety Bond:
Missouri requires a $10,000 surety bond. I chose to work with Notary Public Underwriters to purchase mine. They made the process straightforward and handled everything quickly.
4. Take your Oath of Office:
After securing the bond, you’ll go to your county courthouse (for me, Newton County) to be officially sworn in.
5. Get your notary tools:
I ordered my official stamp, but it won’t ship until the process is finalized—so it will take another week or two. In addition, I purchased an Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance policy. While Missouri does not require E&O coverage, it provides extra protection and is necessary for Remote Online Notarization (RON), which I plan to offer.
Why I’m Doing This
For me, this step is about making things easier for the people I serve.
Citizen Initiative Petitions:
When people are working on gathering signatures for ballot initiatives, notarization is often part of the process. Having my notary commission will make it simpler to get paperwork properly validated without the usual delays.
Helping My Clients:
Many of my microbusiness license clients constantly have to track down notaries—and one even had a notary refuse service. By becoming a notary myself, I can make the process smoother and ensure my clients always have reliable access to notarization.
Virtual Assistant Clients & Individuals:
Beyond cannabis work, I’ll also be offering notary services to my virtual assistant clients and to any individual who needs them. Whether it’s business documents, contracts, or personal forms, I can help simplify the process.
Adding Remote Online Notary (RON):
Soon, I’ll also be a Remote Online Notary. That means I can notarize documents virtually, so clients won’t have to be in Joplin or travel across the state just to sign important paperwork.
This step might not sound glamorous, but it’s one more way I’m committed to helping patients, businesses, advocates, and individuals navigate Missouri’s paperwork with confidence.
✨ Need Notary Services?
Once I’m officially commissioned and my tools arrive, I’ll be offering in-person and remote notary services across Missouri. If you or your business need a reliable notary—whether for microbusiness licensing, contracts, or everyday documents—please feel free to contact me to schedule services.