Idaho Notary Address and Name Change: How to Update Your Commission

What Idaho Law Requires When Your Information Changes

If your legal name or physical address changes during your six-year commission term, you're required to report it to the Idaho Secretary of State within 30 days. This isn't optional — it's a statutory obligation under Idaho Code Title 51, and operating under outdated commission information can create legal problems with any documents you notarize.

The filing vehicle is the "Notary Public Commission Name or Address Change" form, available through the SOSbiz portal at sosbiz.idaho.gov or as a downloadable PDF from the Secretary of State's website.

Name Changes

A legal name change — whether from marriage, divorce, or court order — triggers a two-part update:

First, file the change form. Log into SOSbiz and submit the name change electronically. The filing fee is $5 if submitted online. If you submit the paper form by mail, add a $20 manual processing surcharge, bringing the total to $25.

Second, order a new stamp. Your official stamping device must display your commission name exactly as it appears in the Secretary of State's records. Once your name change is processed, your old stamp is no longer compliant. You'll need to order a replacement from an authorized stamp manufacturer with your updated name.

This is the part people miss — they file the change form but keep using the old stamp. Every document you notarize with a stamp bearing your former name after the change is processed is technically non-compliant, and a diligent county recorder or title company may reject it.

Address Changes

Address changes fall into two categories with different costs:

Physical residential address change: $5 online, $25 by paper. Idaho requires you to maintain a physical residential address in the state (or a physical place of employment if you're a non-resident commuting into Idaho for work). PO Boxes don't count for this address.

Mailing address change only: Free if submitted online, $20 by paper (just the manual processing surcharge). If you're simply changing where you receive mail without moving your residence, there's no state fee for the update itself.

In both cases, you don't need a new stamp — your stamping device displays your name and commission number, not your address.

How to File

The fastest route is through SOSbiz:

1. Log into your SOSbiz account at sosbiz.idaho.gov
2. Navigate to your notary commission record
3. Select the change form
4. Enter your updated information
5. Pay the applicable fee electronically

Processing typically takes a few business days. You'll receive confirmation that your records have been updated.

If you prefer paper filing, download the form from the Secretary of State's website, complete it, and mail it with a check payable to the Idaho Secretary of State to: PO Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0080. Just remember that paper filings always carry the $20 surcharge.

Lost or Stolen Stamps

This isn't technically a name or address change, but it's the other common situation where you need to contact the Secretary of State mid-commission. If your stamp is lost or stolen, you must promptly notify the state using the "Lost or Stolen Notary Stamping Device" form. There's no filing fee for this report.

After notifying the state, you need to order a replacement stamp. The new stamp must contain a different commission number or other distinct identifier so that any documents stamped with the original device can be identified as potentially compromised.

The Idaho Notary Commission Guide includes a quick-reference card for all mid-commission changes with the exact forms, fees, and filing addresses in one place.

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