Contact Information
Secretary of State
Notary Division
Lucas Building, 1st Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
Appointment and Commissioning
What are the qualifications to be a notary?
To be a notary a person a person must:
• be at least 18 years old;
• be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.;
• not be disqualified to be a notary under Iowa Code section 9B.23;
• be a resident of the state of Iowa or a resident of a state bordering Iowa if their place of work or business is in Iowa;
• be able to read and write English; and
• file an application, submit an Oath of Office, and a $30.00 filing fee with the Secretary of State. See Iowa Code section 9B.21.
How long is a notary’s commission?
• for a resident of Iowa, the term is 3 years;
• for residents of bordering states, whose place of work or business is in Iowa, the term is 1 year;
• for a member of the General Assembly, the commission is equal to term of office.