To become a remote online notary in Michigan, get a standard Michigan notary public commission and then register with a remote notarization platform that the Department of State has approved. Michigan does not issue a separate online-only commission. Once you hold the standard commission, you are already authorized to notarize through two-way audio-visual technology — the remaining work is choosing compliant technology and following the rules that apply specifically to remote sessions.
Who Qualifies for a Michigan Notary Commission
The Michigan Secretary of State appoints notaries who meet all of the following:
- At least 18 years old.
- A Michigan resident, or someone who maintains a principal place of business in the state.
- Able to read and write in English.
- Free from felony convictions and relevant misdemeanor convictions or violations.
Non-residents who qualify through a Michigan-based business must show that their principal place of business sits in the county where they seek appointment and that their work regularly involves notarial acts.1Michigan Secretary of State. Michigan Notary Public Act, Act 238 of 2003
File Your Bond and Oath With the County Clerk
Every applicant must file an oath of office and a $10,000 surety bond with their county clerk. The bond has to come from a surety company licensed in Michigan and protects the public against financial harm caused by a notary’s misconduct or errors. Licensed Michigan attorneys are exempt from the bond requirement.2Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code MCL 55.273 – Filing, Oath, Bond, Fee
Submit the Application to the Department of State
Apply through the Michigan Department of State’s online portal. A $10 nonrefundable processing fee is due at submission, payable by credit or debit card. You will provide personal identifying information, your county of residence, and your bond and oath details. Check everything before submitting; errors slow processing.3Michigan Department of State. Notary Application
Processing typically takes several weeks. The Department communicates by email, so watch your inbox and spam folder.
Choose an Approved Remote Notarization Platform
This is where the remote piece actually starts. Michigan law requires you to use a technology vendor that the Department of State has specifically approved. A generic video call does not satisfy the statute — only platforms on the state’s authorized vendor list qualify for remote notarial acts.4Michigan Department of State. Vendors Authorized to Perform Electronic and Remote Notarizations
As of December 2025, the state has approved roughly 30 vendors for remote and electronic notarizations. A smaller group of vendors is approved only for electronic notarizations, where the signer is physically present but uses a digital signature. Confirm that your chosen platform is cleared for remote work, not just electronic.4Michigan Department of State. Vendors Authorized to Perform Electronic and Remote Notarizations
Each platform handles pricing, training, and features differently. The Department of State refers all questions about system capabilities and costs to the vendors themselves, so you will need to shop around. Most platforms bundle the electronic seal and digital certificate you need for remote sessions, so you generally do not have to obtain those separately.
Identity Verification Rules for Remote Sessions
Identity verification looks different online. When you do not personally know the signer, Michigan law requires two layers of verification:
- Credential analysis, where a third-party service confirms the validity of the signer’s identity document by cross-referencing public and proprietary databases.
- Identity proofing, a separate process that verifies the signer’s identity through personal information drawn from public or proprietary data sources, typically knowledge-based questions.
Approved platforms handle both technical screenings, but you remain legally responsible for confirming that the person on screen is who they claim to be.5Michigan Legislature. Michigan Law on Notarial Acts, Act 238 of 2003
The signer must present their identity document during the live video session. A photo sent before or after the call does not satisfy the rule.6Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code MCL 55.286c – Use of 2-Way Real-Time Audiovisual Technology
If a signer fails credential analysis or identity proofing, refuse the notarization. The signer may reattempt after resolving whatever triggered the failure, but never notarize when identification cannot be satisfactorily confirmed.
Where the Signer Can Be Located
The signer can be located in Michigan, which is the simplest case. They may also be outside Michigan if one of these applies:
- The document is intended for filing with a Michigan court, government entity, or public official, or it relates to a matter under Michigan jurisdiction.
- The document involves property in Michigan or a transaction substantially connected to the state.
When a signer is outside Michigan, you also need to confirm you have no reason to believe the act of signing is prohibited by the laws of the place where the signer is physically located.6Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code MCL 55.286c – Use of 2-Way Real-Time Audiovisual Technology
The signer makes the representation about their location during the session. You do not have to independently verify it, but if something feels off you can decline.
Recording and Journal Requirements
Every remote notarization must be recorded. The audio and visual recording has to capture the entire notarial act from start to finish, including the identity verification portion. Your approved platform should handle this automatically.6Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code MCL 55.286c – Use of 2-Way Real-Time Audiovisual Technology
You must also keep a journal documenting each remote notarization: date and time, type of notarial act, the signer’s identity, and the method used to verify that identity. These records have to remain accessible if requested by the Secretary of State or other authorized parties. Most approved platforms store recordings and journal entries within their systems, but confirm your platform’s retention policies meet Michigan’s requirements.5Michigan Legislature. Michigan Law on Notarial Acts, Act 238 of 2003
What You Can Charge
Michigan caps notary fees at $10 per notarial act, whether the session is in person or remote. Before performing any notarization, post a visible sign or tell the signer directly what you will charge. There is no separate, higher cap for online sessions.7Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code MCL 55.285 – Fees
The $10 cap covers your notary fee only. Remote notarization platforms charge their own fees, either per session or through a monthly subscription, and those platform costs do not count toward the cap. At low volumes the platform costs can eat into thin margins quickly, so price accordingly if you plan to build a business.
Commission Term and Renewal
A Michigan notary commission runs for six to seven years and ends on your birthday. The exact length depends on when you are appointed relative to your birthday that calendar year: if your commission date falls before your birthday, the term is six years from that birthday; if after, it extends to seven years from the next birthday.8Michigan Department of State. Notary Services
Renewal is not automatic. To avoid a gap, complete the renewal application within 60 days of your current expiration date. The same application process, fee, and bond requirements apply to renewals as to initial appointments.8Michigan Department of State. Notary Services
Because Michigan does not issue a separate remote commission, your authority to perform remote sessions lives and dies with your standard commission. If it lapses, all notarization authority stops.