A Message from Secretary Howe
A signature is one of the most personal marks a person can make - no two are exactly alike. That small, unique mark says "this is really me" - it is connected to someone's identity and intent every time they use it.
That's why the work you do as a notary public matters so much. Verifying that a signer truly is who they claim to be, and that they're signing willingly, isn't just a formality. You are making sure that a signature is associated with the correct person. This is a responsibility that people, businesses, and courts count on every day.
A notarization may seem like just a stamp and a signature line, but the document means something to the person you are serving. Thank you for your attention to detail and for providing an essential service to North Dakotans, one signature at a time.
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Notary Bond Address
To become commissioned as a notary public in North Dakota and to renew your commission, you must submit a notary bond in the amount of $7,500 to cover notarial acts performed during the term of your commission. The notary bond includes an address for the notary public. At times, a notary bond indicates the notary’s employer’s address rather than the address of the notary. Since the notary commission is issued to the notary public and not the employer, the address provided on the notary bond should be that of the notary public.
 Best Practices for Performing Notarial Acts
When performing a notarial act on a document, it is important to review the document before completing the notarization to ensure it is an acceptable document for you to notarize. Some best practices include:
- Make sure the document is complete and no blanks appear on the document. If blank spaces are present, the signer may insert a dash or “N/A” in the space to ensure that it will not be completed later.
- If the document is in a foreign language, an English translation must be attached, and both documents must then be signed by the signer and notarized in English by the same notary public.
- Make sure the signer has signed the document in your presence in the case of a verification on oath or affirmation, or has acknowledged his or her signature in your presence in the case of an acknowledgment.
- Make sure dates include the month, day, and year and that the dates match if the notarial act being performed is a verification on oath or affirmation.
- If any information in the notarial block is incorrect, cross out the information, write the correct information, and initial next to the change.
- Make sure the document contains the required information in the notarial block:
- Venue (state and county where notarial act is performed);
- Notarial certificate text;
- Document signer’s signature and date;
- Notary’s signature and date; and
- Clear impression of the notary’s stamping device.
- While not required by law, include the name of the person signing the document in the notarial certificate text so it is clear whose signature was notarized.
Certified Copies
Remember: A notary public may not make or purport to make a certified copy of the following:
- Vital records
- Recordable instruments
- Public records containing an official seal
This includes birth certificates, death certificates, college transcripts and anything that bears a government seal. These documents may only be certified by the office that issues them.
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