Alabama Online Notary Requirements at a Glance

Who Can Become a Notary in Alabama?

Alabama notaries are commissioned by county probate judges. Before starting the application process, make sure you satisfy Alabama's eligibility rules.

Alabama law requires an application to be denied in several circumstances. Among other requirements, an applicant must be an Alabama resident and must apply through the probate judge in the county where the applicant resides. The law also addresses felony or moral-turpitude convictions, current bankruptcy proceedings, current incapacity orders, false application information, and failure to successfully complete required training.

Step 1: Apply Through Your County Probate Judge

Unlike states that process all notary applications through the Secretary of State, Alabama appoints and commissions notaries through the probate judges of its counties.

Submit your application to the probate judge in the Alabama county where you reside. Alabama law establishes a $10 application fee.

Your county probate office can provide its current application form, filing instructions, and any county-specific procedural information.

Step 2: Complete Alabama's Required Notary Training

Alabama requires new applicants to successfully complete a pre-commission training program prepared by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute.

The training is designed to reinforce a notary's understanding of Alabama notary authority, responsibilities, legal duties, and ethical obligations.

Generally, the required training must be completed within 30 days after submitting the application, although the probate judge may extend that period for good cause. Attorneys commissioned as notaries under the applicable Alabama law are exempt from this training requirement.

Step 3: Obtain the Required $50,000 Alabama Notary Bond

Alabama requires a notary public to obtain a $50,000 surety bond. The bond must be obtained from an Alabama-licensed producer of those bonds and approved by the probate judge in the notary's county of residence.

The bond must be properly executed, approved, filed, and recorded with the probate judge before the notary begins performing official duties.

Step 4: Complete the Commissioning Process

Once you have satisfied the application, training, bonding, and county requirements, your probate judge can complete the commissioning process.

Alabama law currently provides for a $25 commission issuance fee. As of the date of this guide, an Alabama notary commission is issued for a four-year term.

Alabama notaries have statewide jurisdiction, so your authority is not limited to the county that issued your commission.

Step 5: Obtain Your Alabama Notary Seal

Every Alabama notary must provide a seal of office for authenticating official acts. Current Alabama law requires the seal to identify the notary's name, office, and the state for which the notary was appointed.

Before purchasing your stamp or seal, confirm the latest requirements with your probate judge, especially if you will be commissioned after new Alabama notary provisions take effect.

Step 6: Understand Alabama's Remote Notarization Rules

Once you are a properly commissioned Alabama notary, Alabama law allows qualifying personal appearances to occur through two-way audio-video communication.

The technology must allow the notary and remotely located signer to communicate simultaneously by sight and sound. Importantly, the notary must be physically located in Alabama while performing the remote notarial act.

The audio-video communication must also be recorded and retained by the notary for seven years.

Step 7: Follow Alabama's Remote Identity Verification Rules

Identity verification is a critical part of becoming a compliant remote notary in Alabama.

Under the current remote procedure, the notary may establish the signer's identity through personal knowledge. When personal knowledge is not used, Alabama's statute provides for verification using two valid forms of government-issued identification, with one showing the signer's face and signature, together with a process that reviews public or private data sources to verify identity.

Your remote-notarization workflow should therefore be capable of supporting Alabama's identity requirements rather than relying only on a basic webcam call.

Step 8: Record and Retain the Remote Notarization Session

Alabama's remote-notarization law requires more than simply recording a video conference.

The recording requirements address information such as the date and time of the notarial act, a description of the documents involved, the notary's location, how the signer was identified, applicable identification images, and the signing observed by the notary.

Because these recordings must be maintained for seven years, secure long-term storage should be part of your remote-notary workflow from the beginning.

Step 9: Remember Alabama's Original-Signature Requirement

This is one of the most important differences between Alabama and states with fully digital remote online notarization.

Alabama's current statute defines an original signature as a signature placed directly on the document in wet ink. Unless another law provides otherwise, the notary's official functions also require the notary's original signature.

Documents used during the two-way audio-video session must be provided to the notary for authentication and the notary's original signature.

Step 10: Build a Compliant Remote Notary Workflow

After receiving your commission, bond, seal, and training, the next step is making sure the technology and procedures you use support Alabama law.

Look for a workflow capable of handling secure two-way audio-video communication, identity verification, audit information, and long-term recording storage. Most importantly, make sure your process accommodates Alabama's original-document and original-signature requirements.

Online Notary Center offers technology for notary businesses, including remote notarization tools, identity verification, video sessions, electronic records, and other notary-business features. Before using any platform for an Alabama transaction, confirm that your particular workflow and document type comply with current Alabama law.

How Much Can an Alabama Notary Charge?

Alabama law permits a commissioned notary to charge a reasonable fee of up to $10 for each notarial act.

State, county, and municipal employees generally may not charge a notarial fee for an act performed as part of their public service unless another law provides otherwise.

Notaries should also make sure that any separate business, technology, administrative, or other charges comply with all applicable laws and are properly disclosed.

Are Any Documents Excluded From Remote Notarization in Alabama?

Yes. Alabama specifically prohibits remote notarization for an absentee ballot application, an absentee ballot affidavit, or for purposes related to voting.

Additional document-specific requirements may also apply. A notary should never assume that every document that can be notarized in person can automatically be handled remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an Online Notary in Alabama