A notary public in Wisconsin is a person commissioned by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (WDFI) to act as an impartial witness for certain legal acts, like acknowledgments, oaths, verifications, administering oaths, and other notarial acts allowed by law.
To become a notary (4-year commission) in Wisconsin, you must:
✔ Be at least 18 years old.
✔ Be a United States resident.
✔ Have at least the equivalent of an 8th-grade education.
✔ Have no criminal record that would affect your credibility as a notary under Wisconsin law.
✔ Be familiar with notary duties and responsibilities.
Attorney Notaries:
Lawyers licensed in Wisconsin can apply for a permanent commission with special requirements.
To be appointed as a Wisconsin notary:
Fill out the notary application and submit to WDFI with applicable fee ($20).
Purchase and file a $500 surety bond with a bonding company.
Obtain an official notary seal that includes your name and required statutory information.
Complete the Notary Public Tutorial & Exam, scoring at least 90% and submitting the certificate.
File an oath of office and signature with WDFI.
A standard Wisconsin Notary commission lasts four years.
WDFI typically notifies the notary at least 30 days before expiration.
Notaries can apply for reappointment using the same process required for new commissions.
Under Wisconsin law:
✔ Every notary must have an official seal or stamp.
✔ The official stamp must include:
Words “Notary Public”
“State of Wisconsin”
Notary’s printed name
(State law allows, but does not require, the commission expiration date on the seal.)
The notary must affix the seal to each notarial certificate and also sign the certificate.
Wisconsin law authorizes a notary public to do the following legal acts:
Take acknowledgments of signatures
Administer oaths and affirmations
Take verifications on oath or affirmation
Witness or attest signatures
Certify or attest copies
Note protests of negotiable instruments
Take depositions
Perform other authorized duties under law and custom
Notaries must remain impartial and cannot give legal advice unless also licensed as an attorney.
Wisconsin allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) when:
The notary is registered with an approved technology provider.
The communication technology meets standards set by Wisconsin law.
An audio-video recording is created and retained for at least 7 years.
This is separate from traditional in-person notarization.
Wisconsin does not require a journal for in-person notarial acts.
It strongly recommends maintaining a journal as a best practice (including date, type of act, signer identity info, and fees).
For RON, the law requires retention of recordings for a minimum period.
Under Wisconsin law, notaries must keep confidential all information contained in documents they review while performing notarial acts, unless disclosure is permitted by statute.
Notaries must not:
Imply they are an attorney if not licensed as one.
Provide legal advice.
Perform notarial acts without the signer’s actual presence (unless authorized by RON procedures).
Violations can result in fines, commission suspension, or criminal penalties under Wisconsin law.
Wisconsin statutes set a general guideline; many notaries charge up to $5 per notarial act, though travel or additional services may be separately agreed. (This practice is a standard guideline; always verify current statutory limits.)
Notarial services are performed in accordance with Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 140. LLSmith Notary Service LLC is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (WDFI).