Mississippi Notary Renewal

A Mississippi notary commission lasts exactly four years from the date of issuance. There is no grace period, no automatic renewal, and no temporary extension. If your commission expires before you've completed the renewal process, you cannot lawfully perform notarial acts after that date.

When to Start the Renewal Process

Begin at least 60 days before your commission expires. The renewal process mirrors the initial application — it takes the same time and involves the same documents, so treating it as a last-minute task is risky.

Your commission expiration date is printed on your commission certificate and stamped on every notarization you've performed. If you're unsure of the exact date, search your name on the Secretary of State's Notary Public Search portal at sos.ms.gov.

What the Renewal Requires

Mississippi doesn't have a separate renewal form. You'll submit a fresh application using the same Form NP-001 and follow the same sequence as a first-time applicant:

1. Complete Form NP-001 with a new $25 filing fee
2. Sign the oath of office before a currently commissioned notary
3. Mail the original form and fee to the Business Services Division
4. Wait for the pre-commission letter with your new commission dates
5. Purchase a new $5,000 surety bond with dates matching the new commission term
6. File the bond (Form NP-002) and notarized oath within 60 days

The state processes renewals and new applications through the same pipeline, so expect 3 to 7 business days for preliminary approval.

Do You Need New Supplies?

Yes. Your existing stamp displays your old commission expiration date and ID number. Once the new commission is active, you must order a replacement stamp with the updated information. Continue using your old stamp only until the new commission's start date, then switch immediately.

If your county of residence hasn't changed, you can keep the same journal — just note the new commission information on the next available page. If you've moved counties, you'll need a stamp reflecting your current county regardless.

What Happens If You Let It Lapse

Performing a notarial act with an expired commission is illegal. The consequences include:

• You cannot lawfully perform notarial acts after expiration
• Documents may need to be re-executed, creating liability for affected parties
• Civil penalties and potential criminal prosecution
• The lapse interrupts your authority until a new commission is active

Even a one-day gap matters. If your commission expires on a Friday and your renewal isn't active until Monday, you cannot notarize anything over the weekend.

Resignation and Journal Deposit

If you decide not to renew, resign, or your commission is revoked, you must deposit all journal records with the Circuit Clerk of your county of residence within 30 days of the expiration, resignation, or revocation.

Upon death or adjudication of incompetency, the personal representative or guardian handles the applicable seal-destruction protocol.

The Mississippi notary commission guide includes a renewal timeline tracker that counts down from your expiration date and flags each filing milestone so nothing slips through the cracks.

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