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 — or qualify through a residency alternative: the state also extends eligibility to certain non-residents with Wyoming ties, such as working or conducting business in-state. Verify your specific situation with the Secretary of State
- Have no felony convictions unless pardoned
There’s no need for a sponsor, no specific professional background, no exam, no course, and — since July 1, 2021 — no surety bond. If you check those boxes, 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
- The $30 filing fee
That’s the whole list. Wyoming stripped its requirements down in 2021: the education and exam mandates were dropped, and the old $500 surety bond requirement was eliminated effective July 1, 2021. What’s left is one of the leaner commissioning processes in the country.
Step 1: Complete the Application
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 2: Submit with Your Fee
Your application needs one companion:
- The $30 filing fee
That’s it — no bond to purchase and no course certificate to attach. A reminder that Wyoming eliminated its $500 surety bond requirement on July 1, 2021, so ignore any vendor page still selling you one as “required.” What’s still worth carrying is errors and omissions insurance (more on that below): with no bond behind you, your own protection is entirely up to you.
Step 3: 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 4: 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) — required by Wyoming law for recording every notarial act you perform. 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 5: 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:
- Application filing fee: $30
- Notary stamp: $15-30
- Notary journal: $15-25
Total estimated cost: $60-$85
That’s a modest out-of-pocket investment for a four-year commission — and with no bond to buy since July 1, 2021, one of the lowest entry costs of any state. Factor in the professional doors it opens, and 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?
No. Wyoming dropped its education and exam requirements — along with the surety bond — in the 2021 rule change. Read the Secretary of State’s notary education materials before you start so you know the law, but nothing tested stands between you and the application.
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 — especially now that the state no longer requires a surety bond. There’s no bond fund behind you, so errors and omissions insurance covering your legal defense costs and any settlements is the main financial protection available to you. For the relatively small premium, it’s straightforward protection.
How much can I charge for a notarization in Wyoming?
Wyoming caps notarial fees at $10 per notarial act. 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 required: Wyoming law requires notaries to maintain 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. Invest in proper supplies, keep that journal current, 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.
Sources
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Ready for the next step?
Notary Signing Agent Academy — loan signing agents in Wyoming commonly report earning $75–$200 per appointment, though rates vary by state and experience. One of the most comprehensive training programs available.
*RON Pro: Remote Online Notarization (our sister site) — 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.
