Notary Public Permit Requirements in Des Moines, IA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a notary public in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.

Verified 2026-09-03 4 stops $50–$300 est. 2–6 weeks
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Iowa

1 stop

  1. Iowa Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Permit

    Required for businesses selling taxable goods or services in Iowa. The state rate is 6%, and local option sales tax of up to 1% may apply. Iowa taxes about 75 enumerated services, so check whether your service is taxable before assuming you need a permit. Register with the Iowa Department of Revenue online.

    Official government source

    Free — no fee to register for a sales tax permitRegister online through GovConnectIowa, the state's tax portal

City of Des Moines / Polk County

2 stops

  1. Iowa Secretary of State - Notary Public Commission

    A Des Moines notary is commissioned by the Iowa Secretary of State. Apply online through Fast Track Filing or on the paper form. Iowa requires no exam and no surety bond for a standard commission - chapter 9B of the Iowa Code imposes neither. Commissions run three years and the office emails a renewal PDF about 60 days before expiration. Performing remote online notarizations takes a separate application, which is free, plus an approved training program.

    Official government source

    $30 for the commission and $30 for each renewal (Iowa Code section 9B.21A); no fee to change your name or address, or to apply for remote notarization authorityOnline filing through Fast Track is the fastest route; allow a few weeks on paper

  2. No Des Moines General Business License Required

    Des Moines has no general or blanket business license, and the Development Services Department does not issue one. The City Clerk's Office licenses only specific regulated activities - alcohol, tobacco, transient merchants, mobile food vendors, peddlers, pawnbrokers, theaters, coin-operated machines, solid waste haulers and similar categories. Most businesses need nothing from the Clerk. What a commercial tenant does need is a Certificate of Occupancy for the space, issued by the Permit and Development Center, and home-based businesses go through home occupation review with Zoning Enforcement.

    Official government source

    Nothing - there is no such license. A commercial Certificate of Occupancy is $51.50Not applicable

Terminus

Open for business — est. $50–$300 · 2–6 weeks

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Official Sources

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