Act 2023-548 states notary commissions are issued by county probate judges, with a four-year term. It also confirms statewide jurisdiction for Alabama notaries.
The Act requires applicants to complete a training program developed by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute. Attorneys commissioned as notaries are exempt from the training requirement.
The Act updates the probate judge's fee for issuing a notary commission to $25, keeps a $10 application fee, and increases the required bond amount to $50,000 from an Alabama-licensed bond producer.
Under the Act, personal appearance for acknowledgments may be by two-way audio-video communication when the notary is physically located in Alabama and the session allows simultaneous sight and sound.
The Act requires recording remote notarization sessions and maintaining them for seven years. Required recording elements include date/time, document description, location attestation, identity verification method, identification images (when used), and a clear image of the signing act.
For remote notarization, identity must be verified either through the notary's personal knowledge, or by presenting two valid government-issued IDs (one including face and signature) plus data-source review.
Act 2023-548 items confirmed from the linked PDF
- Notary commission term: four years.
- Notary jurisdiction extends statewide in Alabama.
- Probate judge commission issuance fee: $25.
- Notary application fee: $10.
- Required notary bond amount: $50,000.
- Two-way audio-video remote appearance is authorized when statutory conditions are met.
- Remote session recording retention period: seven years.
- Identity verification standards are specified for remote signers.
This page is informational only and is not legal advice. Confirm current Alabama requirements before applying, buying tools, or performing notarial acts. Reviewed February 15, 2026.