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How to Become a Notary in Wyoming: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
In Wyoming, wide-open spaces and tight-knit communities go hand in hand — but so do big-money transactions and complex legal documents. Whether it's a ranch sale outside Sheridan, mineral rights paperwork near Gillette, an oil and gas lease in the Wind River region, or a stack of closing documents in fast-growing Cheyenne and Jackson Hole, notaries are the quiet workhorses keeping it all legitimate. If you've been thinking about adding "notary public" to your professional toolkit in the Equality State, you'll find the process refreshingly clear-cut — with a couple of important hoops to jump through that catch newcomers off guard. Here's exactly how it works.
Disclaimer: Notary laws change periodically. Always verify current requirements with the Wyoming Secretary of State's office before applying. This article does not constitute legal advice.
Who Can Become a Notary in Wyoming?
Wyoming keeps its eligibility requirements simple and fair. You qualify if you meet these three conditions:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a resident of Wyoming
- Have no felony convictions unless pardoned
There's no need for a sponsor, no specific professional background, and no political connections. If you check those three boxes and are willing to study, you're in.
What You'll Need
Gather everything upfront so your application doesn't hit any speed bumps:
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- A $500 surety bond (typically $40-60)
- Completion of a state-approved notary education course
- A passing score on the Wyoming notary exam
- The $30 filing fee
Notice those education and exam requirements — they're what separate Wyoming from states where you just fill out a form and mail a check. Wyoming actually wants its notaries to know what they're doing before they start stamping, and that benefits everybody.
Step 1: Complete Required Education
Your first move is completing a state-approved notary education course. This covers Wyoming's notary statutes, the correct procedures for each type of notarial act, and the responsibilities that come with the commission. Don't just click through it — Wyoming's notary laws have some particular nuances, especially around acceptable forms of identification and required acknowledgment wording that differ from what you'd encounter in neighboring states like Colorado or Montana. Engaging with the material now means fewer headaches on the exam and fewer awkward moments when a signer hands you an unusual document out in the field.
Step 2: Pass the Notary Exam
After finishing the education course, you'll take the Wyoming notary examination. The test evaluates your working knowledge of state notary laws, the different categories of notarial acts, proper identification protocols, and general best practices. It's not designed to trick you, but it's also not a rubber stamp — you'll need to apply what you learned to realistic scenarios. If you paid attention during the course rather than rushing through it, you should be in good shape.
Step 3: Complete the Application
Once you've passed the exam, fill out and submit the notary application to the Wyoming Secretary of State. It asks for your full legal name, residential address, and county of residence. Double-check every field before hitting submit — typos and inconsistencies are one of the most common causes of processing delays, and when you live in a place where the mail carrier might only come by a few times a week, you don't want to lose days on a careless mistake.
Step 4: Submit with Bond and Fee
Your application needs two companions:
- A $500 surety bond
- A $30 filing fee
Here's something worth understanding: the surety bond protects the public if you make a mistake while notarizing — it does not protect you. If a claim is paid out against your bond, the surety company can and will seek reimbursement from you personally. That's why many Wyoming notaries also carry errors and omissions insurance (more on that below). You can purchase a bond through any licensed surety company, and many notary supply vendors bundle bonds with stamps and journals for a streamlined experience.
Step 5: Receive Your Commission
The Secretary of State's office generally processes applications within 1-2 weeks. Once approved, you'll receive your commission certificate. Your commission is valid for four years, so jot down that expiration date somewhere you'll actually see it. Letting your commission lapse means you legally cannot notarize anything, and getting reappointed isn't instantaneous — don't put yourself in a last-minute scramble.
Step 6: Get Your Notary Supplies
With commission in hand, it's time to gear up. At a minimum, you need:
- A Wyoming notary stamp — this must meet the state's exact specifications for format and content. Don't order a generic stamp or get creative with the layout. Even minor deviations from Wyoming's requirements can cast doubt on your notarizations, and that's a headache you do not want. Also, your seal must use blue or black ink only.
- A notary record book (journal) — Wyoming law does not require you to keep a journal, but the state strongly recommends it. When you might drive 40 miles to notarize a single document for a rancher in Sublette County, having a detailed, timestamped record is often your only real protection if a notarization is ever questioned.
Step 7: File Your Oath of Office
This is the step that trips up more new Wyoming notaries than anything else — and skipping it is not an option. Before you perform even one notarial act, you must take the oath of office and file it with the appropriate county office in your county of residence. If you start notarizing before filing that oath, your commission can be voided, and every single notarization you completed beforehand could be challenged or invalidated. File the oath first. No exceptions.
Common Mistakes New Wyoming Notaries Make
- Notarizing before filing the oath of office — this is far and away the most costly error. Your commission isn't fully active until that oath is on file at your county office.
- Using an improperly formatted stamp — Wyoming has specific requirements for what must appear on your seal, down to the ink color. A non-compliant stamp jeopardizes every document you use it on.
- Letting your commission lapse — there's no grace period for expired commissions. Build renewal into your calendar well in advance.
- Notarizing without the signer physically present — even if you've known someone your entire life, Wyoming law requires physical presence for traditional notarizations. Performing an in-person notarization without the signer in front of you is grounds for revocation. Remote online notarization is a completely separate process with its own rules.
How Much Does It Cost?
Here's a realistic breakdown of what you'll spend:
- Surety bond: $40-60
- Application filing fee: $30
- Notary stamp: $15-30
- Notary journal: $15-25
Total estimated cost: $100-$145 (plus the cost of the required education course, which varies by provider)
That's a modest out-of-pocket investment for a four-year commission, especially when you consider the professional doors it opens — and the fact that you can earn back your costs relatively quickly through notarization fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the whole process take in Wyoming?
From submitting your application to having your stamp, journal, and filed oath all ready to go, you're generally looking at 1-2 weeks. It can vary slightly depending on the Secretary of State's workload, but Wyoming typically moves faster than most states.
Does Wyoming actually require an exam?
Yes — and this surprises some people who assume becoming a notary everywhere is just filling out a form. Wyoming genuinely requires you to pass an examination on state notary laws and procedures. It's not designed to be brutal, but it's not a formality either. If you engage with the education course, you'll be prepared.
Can I perform remote online notarizations in Wyoming?
Yes. Wyoming has fully operational remote online notarization (RON), which is a significant advantage in a state with vast distances between communities. However, RON comes with specific technology standards, identity verification requirements, and recording and storage rules. Make sure you fully understand those obligations before offering RON services — it's a different workflow than sitting across a table from someone.
Do I really need errors and omissions insurance?
It's not legally required, but ask any seasoned Wyoming notary and most will tell you it's money well spent. Your $500 surety bond protects the public, not you. If a claim is paid against that bond, the surety company will seek reimbursement from you. Errors and omissions insurance covers your legal defense costs and any settlements. For the relatively small premium, it's straightforward protection.
How much can I charge for a notarization in Wyoming?
Wyoming notaries are authorized to charge up to $4 per notarization. It's not going to make you rich on its own, but if you're in an area with steady demand — think real estate offices, title companies, or busy county seats — the volume can add up over a four-year commission.
State-Specific Notes
- Remote online notarization: Wyoming has operational RON, and in a state where the next town might be an hour away, it's a genuinely useful tool. If you're serving signers spread across multiple counties — say, handling documents for a family with members in Laramie, Casper, and Cody — RON can eliminate hours of driving. Just make sure you're following every state requirement for technology, identity proofing, and record retention.
- Journal keeping: While not mandated by Wyoming law, the state explicitly encourages maintaining a notary journal. Given the types of high-stakes documents commonly notarized here — mineral deeds, oil and gas leases, ranch and land transfers — a meticulous journal is practically essential for your own protection. Think of it as cheap insurance.
Becoming a notary in Wyoming is a straightforward process that pays real dividends — both professionally and for your community. Take the education course seriously, invest in proper supplies, and please, for the sake of your commission and everyone's documents — file that oath of office before you stamp a single thing. Do that, and your next four years as a Wyoming notary should go smoothly.
Ready for the next step?
Notary Signing Agent Academy — loan signing agents in Wyoming earn $75–$200 per appointment. The most comprehensive training available.
RON Pro: Remote Online Notarization — Wyoming supports remote notarization. Learn how to notarize documents online and reach clients anywhere.
How to Start a Mobile Notary Business — turn your Wyoming notary commission into a profitable business.
How to Market Your Notary Business — get clients from day one with proven strategies.
How to Become a Notary — our complete guide covering requirements for all 50 states.
