Notary

Qualifications

You must:

• Be a Hennepin County resident
• Have been approved and received your commission from the Minnesota Secretary of State

Application process

If you have an old notary public commission certificate (sample PDF); print and use this Certificate of filing notary commission (PDF) form.

If you have a new notary public commission certificate (sample PDF); print and use this Certificate of filing notary commission (PDF) form.

1. Place your notary public commission card face up in the designated area on the form (old commission placement sample PDF or new commission placement sample PDF).
2. Make a copy of the form with your card on it.
3. Sign the form (in front of notary) in the designated locations twice (1. Signature matching name on Notary commission certificate. 2. Normal signature)
4. Have your signatures on the Notary commission filing form notarized.

Submit form

Include a self-addressed stamped #10 envelope for the return OR an additional $1.50 handling fee.

Drop off

Put your form and payment at one of our drop off locations.

Mail in

Mail your original copy with signatures and check to:

Director of licensing – Vital records
Hennepin County Government Center
300 S Sixth St, MC-026
Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026

Processing times

Regular processing

Orders will be processed in 2–3 weeks of receipt.

Faster processing

• Orders will be processed in 5–7 business days of receipt
• You must include an additional $20 and write "Expedite" on the envelope

If you cannot use a mail in or drop off, the in person application process is:

1. Gather items listed above.
2. Schedule an appointment.

Order status

If it's been over four (4) weeks since you ordered use our vital records order inquiry form.

Fee

• $20 (Additional $1.50 if you don't include a self-addressed stamped #10 envelope)
• Payment options

Additional information

• You must register and file your commission in your county-of-residence.
• When notarizing, your signature must be consistent with the one on file in Hennepin County.
• Request a commission card or login and print your certificate on the Minnesota Secretary of State Notary Public website.

Getting a document notarized authenticates the signature of the person(s) signing the document. It does not guarantee the contents of the document.

What do I need to know?

Some documents can't be notarized by us. The following list are examples of documents we can not notarize:

• Last will and testament
• I-9 forms
• Birth, death, marriage certificate

The person(s) whose signature is being notarized must:

• Not sign documents ahead of time
• Present a current photo ID (valid driver's license or state ID, etc.)
• Sign the document in front of the notary public

Contact our office

Schedule an appointment.

Fee

• $5 per notarization
• Payment options

A notary certificate authenticates and validates a notary public's signature on a document. It is not the same as an apostille or commission certificate.

What do I need to know?

• A notary certificate can only be issued if the notary commission filing was done in Hennepin County.
• You must present the document needing verification at the time of your request.

Contact our office

Schedule an appointment.

Fee

• $5 per document
• Payment options