Notary Public Permit Requirements in Fort Wayne, IN

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you operate as an LLC/corporation or have employees. Sole proprietor notaries with no employees may use their SSN.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Indiana Notary Public Commission (Secretary of State / INBiz)

   Apply for an Indiana notary public commission through the Indiana Secretary of State's INBiz portal. You must be at least 18, be a legal Indiana resident or be primarily employed in Indiana, and have no disqualifying convictions involving deceit, dishonesty, or fraud. All notaries must maintain a surety bond of at least $25,000, and every applicant must take a notary education course and pass an exam, both available after the application fee is paid. The commission lasts 8 years.

   Official government source

   $75 initial or renewal application fee (covers the required education course and exam), plus the cost of the $25,000 surety bond. Continuing education is $50 per course, with three courses required across the 8-year term.·INBiz does not publish a processing time. The education course and exam must be completed after the fee is paid, so allow time for both before the commission is issued.

   $75 initial or renewal application fee (covers the required education course and exam), plus the cost of the $25,000 surety bond. Continuing education is $50 per course, with three courses required across the 8-year term.

   INBiz does not publish a processing time. The education course and exam must be completed after the fee is paid, so allow time for both before the commission is issued.

2. Indiana Notary Bond ($25,000) and Commission

   Every Indiana notary must file a $25,000 surety bond certificate. Since the 2018 law change the bond and the commission application are submitted online through the Secretary of State's INBiz notary portal — county circuit court clerks are not involved. The application also requires an Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Record no older than 30 days and completion of the required education exam.

   Official government source

   Bond premium is set by the private surety, not the state. State charges: $75 application fee, $16.32 Limited Criminal History Record, and $50 continuing education every two years·Allow 5-10 business days for the state to process the application after the education exam is passed

   Bond premium is set by the private surety, not the state. State charges: $75 application fee, $16.32 Limited Criminal History Record, and $50 continuing education every two years

   Allow 5-10 business days for the state to process the application after the education exam is passed

3. Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance (Optional)

   Indiana does not require notaries to carry Errors & Omissions insurance. The Secretary of State requires a $25,000 surety bond, and lists E&O separately as an optional cost that is not included in the stated total commission cost. E&O covers the notary personally against claims arising from unintentional mistakes, whereas the surety bond protects the public and must be repaid by the notary. Coverage of $25,000 to $100,000 is typical and is sold by notary supply vendors and the National Notary Association; the state neither sells nor recommends providers.

   Official government source

   $40–$80/year typical market premium for $25,000–$100,000 coverage; not a state fee. Required state costs are the $75 commission application, $16.32 criminal history record and a $25,000 surety bond·Immediate

   $40–$80/year typical market premium for $25,000–$100,000 coverage; not a state fee. Required state costs are the $75 commission application, $16.32 criminal history record and a $25,000 surety bond

   Immediate

1. Fort Wayne — No General Business License

   Fort Wayne does not require a general business license. The city's official Starting a Business guide states: "The City of Fort Wayne does not currently require a general business license." A standalone notary or signing-agent business needs no city license; notaries are commissioned by the Indiana Secretary of State. If the business operates under a name that does not include the owner's last name, file a Certificate of Assumed Business Name with the Allen County Recorder.

   Official government source

   Not applicable (no general business license exists)·Not applicable

   Not applicable (no general business license exists)

   Not applicable

Official Sources

• Indiana — Notary Public Requirements
• Indiana Secretary of State

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