Notary Services/Becoming a Notary

Please see main Clerk's page for office hours and closures.


Due to limited space inside the offices, it will be necessary for you to have all of your requests/ applications completed before you are allowed inside the office, including having your identification documents and payment ready. 


Notary Services:

We have Notary services available for $10.00 per signature.  The document must be completely filled out, except for your signature, and you must have valid picture ID.  Please do not sign the document until you are in front of the Notary Public.


Becoming a Notary:

Notary Application Process - New and Renewal

Before you begin, please note:

  • Your signature must match the name that has been printed as your "Commissioned Name." This is the signature that you will use when notarizing documents. This is also the way your name should appear on your Notary Bond.
  • There are three separate costs/fees associated with becoming a notary.
  • Do not enter the Clerk’s Office until you have all of your documents in order, including: 1. Completed Application, 2. Surety Bond, 3. Photo ID, and 4. Payment.  Please read all instructions below.  Once you have all necessary items in hand, please stand by the door until you are called.

1.  Complete the Notary Application:

  • Complete or print off the Notary Application through the Secretary of State’s website:   NOTARY APPLICATION   Only applications with the revision date after 08/23/2021 will be accepted.  If you print off the application to complete, it must be legible. Print and bring to our office.  

Your signature must match the name that has been printed as your "Commissioned Name." This is the signature that you will use when notarizing documents.

2.  Obtain a surety bond in the amount of $10,000. Bonds are available through insurance agencies or bonding companies. The approximate cost is $55, although prices may vary from company to company.  Your application signature, your commissioned name and surety bond must all match.  If they do not all match, we will be unable to process your notary application.  Do not sign your bond until requested to do so by County Clerk staff.   

  • The only exception to obtaining a surety bond is if you are an attorney.  An attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan is not required to obtain and file a surety bond with the County Clerk’s office.  An attorney is required to go to the County Clerk’s office in their county of residence to take the Constitutional Oath and obtain the County Seal and Certification.

3.  Bring the application, surety bond and full Power of Attorney to the County Clerk’s Office in the county where you reside. In Muskegon County, the filing fee is $10.00. If you are paying by check or money order, please have it made out to Muskegon County Clerk and indicate your driver’s license number and telephone number on the check or money order.

4.  County Clerk staff will verify that you have complied with the necessary requirements in the designated area on your completed Notary Public Application.  If all requirements are met, they will administer the Oath of Office.

5.  After taking the Oath, the Clerk will have you sign the application, agreeing to all conditions stated.

6.  Forward your completed application with the $10 non-refundable processing fee to the following address:

Michigan Department of State
Office of the Great Seal
7064 Crowner Drive
Lansing, MI 48918

Do not send cash, please send a check or money order payable to the "State of Michigan".