Notary Bonds: Full Guide to Notary Surety Bonds

At Viking Bond Service, we make finding a notary bond quick and easy. Viking Bond Service has been helping individuals secure surety bonds throughout the US for over 20 years. We've built a team of friendly and knowledgeable agents who are here to help you secure the right bond when you need it. Our notary bond application is simple, fast and secure. Simply complete the online application to get your notary bond started now. You can call us at 1-888-278-7389 or contact us via the form on the page with any questions regarding notary or any other type of surety bond.

What is a Notary Bond and How Do I Get One?

If you're new to the world of notaries you're probably wondering 'what is a notary bond'! We're here to help. A notary bond is a form of financial protection that notaries are required to have to offer notary services in their state. Although a notary bond is often called a form of insurance it's actually a very different product!

Notary bond definition: A notary bond is a contract between three parties:

When issuing a notary bond the surety agrees to pay claims made against the bond on behalf of the notary. However, unlike insurance, the surety does not absorb the costs. The bond acts more like a form of credit and the notary is required to repay the surety for all paid claims. Notary bonds help ensure that notaries follow all state rules. If a notary violates any applicable rules, laws or regulations, a claim can be made against the bond. These bonds do not protect the notary!

What is the Purpose of a Notary Bond?

There are several reasons that states require notaries to get a surety bond and keep it in good standing. The first is to hold those notaries accountable for conduct that's either illegal or unethical. State regulators can file claims against the surety bond for damages caused by the notary, and the principal (the notary) is responsible for paying those claims. Since the notary cannot evade this financial obligation, notary bonds create an incentive for them to follow the law in order to avoid claims. Notary surety bonds have another important purpose: allowing state regulators to collect damages. Since the surety that backs the notary bond guarantees payment for all valid claims, regulators know they have a way to recoup any losses caused by a notary - which would be much harder without the surety bond to streamline the payment process. Over time, surety bonds have proven to be an effective way to regulate notaries and encourage upstanding behavior throughout the industry. That's why most states require notaries to have a surety bond.

Who Needs a Notary Bond?

Anyone who plans to become a notary will need a notary bond issued by a reputable surety agency that meets the state requirements. It is illegal to provide notary services without having a bond, and there can be stiff penalties for anyone who violates this rule. All practicing notaries need to have a bond as well. If they lose bond coverage - perhaps because they caused claims the surety had to pay - they will need to seek out a different bond provider immediately. If you're unsure whether you need a bond or how to get one, Viking Bond Service is happy to help. Contact our team for the latest information about the bond requirements in your state and assistance getting the bond process started.

How to Get a Notary Bond

To apply for a notary bond, you should first find a reputable surety bond agency that's experienced and licensed to secure bonds in your state. Working with a knowledgeable bond agent will make the bond application process simple and stress-free! The team at Viking Bond Service has many years of experience securing bonds for notaries in every state where the bond is required. We've created a quick and easy notary bond application process that can help you find an affordable bond in just a few steps. To start you'll need to complete a simple application. In most cases, the bond can be obtained after just completing the application and submitting payment. The process can take as little as a few minutes.

The Cost of Notary Bonds

Sureties calculate bond premiums based on several factors that are used to determine how risky it is to issue the bond. Two of the main factors include the bond type and the bond amount. Notary bonds are considered a low-risk type of bond, which makes the premiums very affordable. In addition, bond amounts are also generally low, which also helps to keep premium costs to a minimum. Each state sets its own bond amount for notaries. The team at Viking can help you secure the right bond amount based on your location. Notary bonds are generally issued in four-year terms and must be renewed after each term period to keep the bond active. There's no need to mark your calendar however, Viking Bond Service will make sure you are informed when it's time to renew the bond.

Can You Get a Notary Bond With Bad Credit?

You can as long as you work with the right surety agency. Some agencies deny applicants immediately if they have a low credit score or a blemish (like a bankruptcy) on their financial record. Other agencies work differently. Viking Bond Service, for example, takes a closer look at everyone who applies for a bond. Instead of rejecting people with bad credit, we use all the resources at our disposal to find bond options that work for these applicants. We cannot guarantee that everyone will receive a bond quote. But we can promise to give every applicant a fair assessment - and we often find bond offers for people who have been denied elsewhere. We take this effort so seriously that we created a bad credit surety bond program to help more people get the surety bonds they need.

Notary Bonds by Viking Bond Service

Viking Bond Service can help you secure a notary bond in all 50 states. We make the application process easy for anyone and open to all. Expect a quote in as little as 24 hours so you can satisfy the notary bond requirement fast. Then count on Viking Bond Service to be your go-to bond partner for as long as you need a bond. Complete the online application to get your Notary Bond started now. Or get more information by completing the contact form on this page, or by calling 1-888-278-7389.