Surety Bond Encyclopedia

$50,000 Notary bond without E&O Coverage Bond - Statewide in Alabama

Brief Summary

This is the bare statutory bond, nothing added. Code of Ala. 36-20-71 requires every Alabama notary to file a $50,000 bond with the probate judge of the county where they live, and that is exactly what this listing delivers, at the lowest cost available. It suits renewing notaries who already carry their own errors and omissions policy, employer sponsored notaries whose company covers mistakes, and anyone who wants to meet the filing requirement and nothing more.

Alabama requires every notary public to post a $50,000 surety bond, payable to the State of Alabama, and have it approved, filed and recorded by the judge of probate of their county of residence before performing any notarial act. The amount rose from $25,000 to $50,000 on September 1, 2023 under Act 2023-548. This listing is the bond only. It includes no errors and omissions coverage, so the notary remains personally responsible for repaying the surety on any claim.

We can help with all Alabama bonds!

How to Apply for a $50,000 Notary bond without E&O Coverage Bond:

Submit the notary application, a current photo ID and the application fee to the judge of probate in your county of residence.
Complete the required training within 30 days of applying unless you are an Alabama licensed attorney.
Order the $50,000 bond when the letter of appointment arrives. Most notary bonds are issued the same day at a flat premium.
File the executed bond with the probate judge within 40 days of the appointment letter for approval and recording.
Pay the $100 commission fee and any county recording fee.
Obtain a seal with your name, the office and the State of Alabama before performing any notarial act.

Detailed Information About the Alabama $50,000 Notary bond without E&O Coverage Bond:

Know what you are buying

A notary bond is not insurance for the notary. Under Code of Ala. 36-20-71 the $50,000 bond is payable to the State of Alabama and conditioned on the notary faithfully discharging the duties of the office. It exists to compensate people harmed by a notary's misconduct. If the surety pays a claim, it has the right to recover every dollar from the notary. Buying the bond without errors and omissions coverage means you carry that exposure yourself. Many notaries do exactly that, because their employer or a separate professional policy already covers them. Just make the choice on purpose.

The amount changed on September 1, 2023

Act 2023-548 (Senate Bill 322) raised the bond from $25,000 to $50,000 and raised the commission fee the probate judge collects from $10 to $100. A bond written for $25,000 will not be accepted for a new or renewed commission. Notaries who were already commissioned on January 1, 2023 keep their existing bond until that term runs out, then post $50,000 at renewal.

Training and eligibility

The same act added a required training program prepared by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute. New applicants complete it before being commissioned and existing notaries complete it at renewal. Attorneys licensed in Alabama are exempt from the training only. The training does not replace the bond. Code of Ala. 36-20-70 also lets the probate judge deny an application from anyone who is not an Alabama resident, applied in the wrong county, has a felony or moral turpitude conviction, is in an active bankruptcy, has been found incapacitated, gave false information, or did not finish the training.

Where and when to file

The judge of probate of your county of residence issues the four year commission and takes the bond. The Secretary of State keeps the statewide record but does not accept bond filings. The statewide probate application form gives applicants 30 days from the application date to finish training and 40 days from the letter of appointment to obtain and record the bond, and it warns that the deadlines are strictly enforced. Counties charge a $10 application fee in most cases and may add a recording fee for the bond, so confirm the total with your probate office before you file.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Alabama $50,000 Notary bond without E&O Coverage Bond:

Surety bond of exactly $50,000, payable to the State of Alabama, written by a surety authorized in Alabama.
Conditioned on faithful discharge of the duties of the office under Code of Ala. 36-20-71.
Approved, filed and recorded in the office of the judge of probate of the county where the notary lives.
Term of four years to match the commission, with a new bond at each renewal.
No errors and omissions coverage included. The notary is responsible for reimbursing the surety on any paid claim.

Alabama $50,000 Notary bond without E&O Coverage Bond FAQs:

Is $50,000 the right amount, or do I need $25,000?

$50,000. Act 2023-548 raised the amount from $25,000 effective September 1, 2023. Only a notary who was already commissioned on January 1, 2023 may keep a $25,000 bond, and only until that commission ends.

If a claim is paid on my bond, do I owe the surety?

Yes. The bond protects the public, not you. When the surety pays a claim it collects the amount from the notary. That is the reason some notaries add an errors and omissions policy, which this listing does not include.

Do I file the bond with the Secretary of State?

No. Code of Ala. 36-20-71 requires the bond to be executed, approved, filed and recorded in the office of the judge of probate of your county of residence before you take office. The probate judge reports your commission to the Secretary of State.

Does completing the notary training waive the bond?

No. Training is a separate condition of the commission under Code of Ala. 36-20-70. Every notary, including attorneys who are exempt from training, files the $50,000 bond.

How long does the bond last and what does it cost?

The commission and the bond run four years. The probate judge collects a $100 commission fee set by statute, and counties may add application and recording fees. The surety premium is a flat charge for the term and most notary applicants qualify without a credit check.