Skip to content
TryHired.
Notary public · South Dakota

How to become a notary in South Dakota: the official requirements

Who can apply, the training, bond and term, and the steps, from the South Dakota Secretary of State's own published requirements.

Maid DizdarevicCareer coach · 8x LinkedIn Top Voice
Updated Nov 5, 2026 · Requirements: each state's notary authority or statute
Quick answer

To become a notary public in South Dakota: Who can apply: Of legal age and meeting the state residency requirements of SDCL 18-1-1; if you live in an out-of-state county bordering South Dakota and work for a South Dakota employer, you give that South Dakota business address. Bond: No bond is required: a 2025 law removed the bond requirement. Commission term: Six years from the commission date. Commissions are issued by the South Dakota Secretary of State.

Requirements

Notary requirements in South Dakota

Data
South Dakota notary public requirements (South Dakota Secretary of State)
RequirementSouth Dakota
Who can applyOf legal age and meeting the state residency requirements of SDCL 18-1-1; if you live in an out-of-state county bordering South Dakota and work for a South Dakota employer, you give that South Dakota business address.
TrainingNot stated in the official source we read. Check with the South Dakota Secretary of State.
ExamNot stated in the official source we read. Check with the South Dakota Secretary of State.
BondNo bond is required: a 2025 law removed the bond requirement.
Commission termSix years from the commission date.
State feeA $30 filing fee.
Background checkNot stated in the official source we read. Check with the South Dakota Secretary of State.
Oath and filingComplete and sign the oath section of the application.

Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing.

Steps

How to apply in South Dakota

Data
  1. Obtain your notary seal.
  2. Complete the application, with a legible imprint of your seal.
  3. Complete and sign the oath portion of the application.
  4. Mail the original application with the $30 filing fee to the Secretary of State.
  5. Notarize only after you receive your Notary Commission Certificate.
Next

Go further

All statesHow to become a notary by state

Requirements state by state.

Open →PayPaycheck calculator

Take-home pay by state.

Open →PayAverage salary by state

What jobs pay in each state.

Open →ResumeResume guide

Add the commission to your resume.

Open →

Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Everything on this page is free to use without buying anything.

FAQ

Questions people ask

How do I become a notary in South Dakota?
To become a notary public in South Dakota: Who can apply: Of legal age and meeting the state residency requirements of SDCL 18-1-1; if you live in an out-of-state county bordering South Dakota and work for a South Dakota employer, you give that South Dakota business address. Bond: No bond is required: a 2025 law removed the bond requirement. Commission term: Six years from the commission date. Commissions are issued by the South Dakota Secretary of State.
How long is a notary commission in South Dakota?
Six years from the commission date.
Do I need a bond to be a notary in South Dakota?
No bond is required: a 2025 law removed the bond requirement.
Is training required to become a notary in South Dakota?
Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the South Dakota Secretary of State.
Method

How this page is built

Every requirement on this page comes from the South Dakota Secretary of State's own published material, read on the dates shown. Requirements and fees change; the authority's current instructions govern.

What this page can't tell you
  • Not legal advice.
  • Fees charged by bonding agencies, course providers and fingerprint vendors are not included.
Sources
  1. South Dakota Secretary of State, Notary Public Application & Oath and checklist (revised 2026-05-22), official source, read Nov 5, 2026.
  2. South Dakota Secretary of State, South Dakota Notary Public Handbook (July 2026), official source, read Nov 5, 2026.