Idaho Notary Renewal Process

Idaho notary commissions don't auto-renew. When your six-year term expires, that's it — your authority to notarize ends on the expiration date, regardless of how many years you've been commissioned. Renewal is actually a full recommissioning process, nearly identical to your first-time application.

The good news: if you start 90 days before your expiration date, there's no gap in your authority.

When to Start

The Secretary of State recommends beginning the recommissioning process up to 90 days before your current commission expires. This gives you enough time to purchase a new bond, complete the application, get the oath notarized, mail the packet, and receive your new certificate — all before your old commission lapses.

If you miss the expiration date, you lose your authority to notarize until the new commission is approved.

The Recommissioning Steps

The process mirrors the original application:

1. Purchase a new $10,000 surety bond. Your old bond expires with your old commission. The new bond must cover the new six-year term. Premium cost is the same range: $30–$130 depending on credit, typically around $50.

2. Complete the application on SOSbiz. Log into sosbiz.idaho.gov and submit a new Notary Public Application. When you fill in the form, include your existing state file number — this links the recommission to your current record.

3. Get the oath notarized. Print the application (which includes the Oath of Office), take it to an active Idaho notary public, sign it in their presence, and have them execute the jurat. Same rules as the first time: the witnessing notary can't be you or your spouse.

4. Mail the packet to Boise. Send the original notarized application, the original signed surety bond, and the $30 filing fee to the Secretary of State. The 30-day filing window from print date applies here too.

5. Wait for the new Commission Certificate. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days. Wait for the certificate before relying on the renewed authority.

Cost Breakdown

• New surety bond premium: $30–$130 (six-year term)
• State filing fee: $30 (online) or $50 (paper)
• Oath notarization: usually free at a bank or UPS store

Total out-of-pocket for most recommissioning notaries: $60–$160.

Can You Keep Your Old Stamp?

If your name, commission number, and other stamp details haven't changed, you can continue using your existing physical stamp. However, if your stamp includes your commission expiration date and the new term has a different date, you'll need to either order a new stamp or physically note the correct expiration date on documents.

In practice, most notaries order a new stamp during recommissioning to keep things clean — it's a $15–$25 expense.

What If You Don't Renew?

If you let your commission expire without recommissioning:

• You immediately lose authority to perform notarial acts
• You cannot perform notarial acts after expiration until a new commission is approved
• Your stamp must be destroyed or secured — Idaho Code requires you to render it unusable upon expiration
• Your journal remains your personal property — the Secretary of State recommends retaining it for at least 10 years from the last entry

You must complete the recommissioning process again after expiration; your prior commission does not continue during the lapse.

Avoiding the Gap

The simplest approach: set a calendar reminder for 90 days before your expiration date. On that day, purchase the new bond and start the SOSbiz application. With the typical 7–10 business day processing time plus mail transit, you'll have your new certificate well before the old commission expires.

For the complete recommissioning checklist — including bond comparison tools and the filing timeline — the Idaho Notary Commission Guide covers renewals alongside the first-time process.

See more Idaho guides →