How to Become a Notary Public

To become a notary public, you must be appointed by the judges of the superior court of the county in which you reside, unless you are an ex-officio notary public. Ex-officio notaries must still apply and take the oath of office but these notaries are notaries by virtue of the public office they hold and their fee is waived. For more information on ex-officio notaries, see Ex-Officio Notaries Public.

Fill out the application ( http://vermont-archives.org/notary/pdf/notaryregistrationform.pdf) and take the oath of office before a current notary public or other officer as prescribed by law. This officer may be a justice of the supreme court, superior judge, assistant judge, justice of the peace, judge of the district court, or the presiding officer, secretary or clerk of either house of the general assembly or the governor. If the officer is a notary public, that notary need not affix his or her official seal to the certificate of an oath. County clerks and clerks of the district court may certify the oaths administered by them under the seal of the court. 12 V.S.A. §§5852, 5854. You must then sign the oath form, and have it signed by the officeradministering the oath.

You must then present the completed application, along with the $30 fee, to the county clerk (a list of county clerks is available on the Vermont Judiciary website; county clerks are also Superior Court clerks) in the county in which you reside, for filing and recording. This may be done in person or by mail. Your notary commission will become active as soon as your application is approved and filed.

The oath of office is as follows:

You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will be true and faithful to the State of Vermont, and that you will not, directly or indirectly, do any act or thing injurious to the Constitution or Government thereof. (If an oath) So help you God. (If an affirmation) Under the pains and penalties of perjury.

You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will faithfully execute the office of notary public for the county of __________and will therein do equal right and justice to all persons, to the best of your judgment and ability, according to law. (If an oath) So help you God (If an affirmation) Under the pains and penalties of perjury.