Overview
A notary public is a state-commissioned officer authorized to perform acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, and other notarial acts on documents. The notary's role is to verify the identity of the signer and witness the signing, helping to deter fraud in legal and financial documents. Requirements vary widely by state.
Eligibility requirements
Minimum age 18 in most states. Resident of the commissioning state (or a state with reciprocity), able to read and write English, no disqualifying criminal record. Some states require a surety bond and errors-and-omissions insurance.
The South Dakota licensing process, step by step
- Complete state-required training. Some states require a notary training course (typically 3-6 hours); others do not. Check your state's requirements.
- Pass the state notary exam. Required in about half the states. Topics include notary law, acknowledgments and jurats, recordkeeping, and prohibitions on conflicts of interest.
- Submit your application. Application typically includes background check, fees, surety bond (usually $5,000-$15,000), and an affidavit of qualifications.
- Receive your commission and order supplies. Notary seal/stamp and journal are typically required. Some states sell official seals; others require approved vendors.
- Take the oath of office. Often done in the county clerk's office. Your commission becomes active when you take the oath.
South Dakota Notary at a glance
- Commission fee: approximately $30 application (verify current amount with South Dakota Department of Public Safety — fees change periodically)
- Commission term: 6 years
- South Dakota-specific note: South Dakota notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State for 6-year terms.
What to study
The state notary handbook is the primary source. Key topics: types of notarial acts (acknowledgment, jurat, copy certification, oath of office), identification requirements, proper journal entries, fee limits, prohibited acts, and grounds for revocation of commission. Many states also test on emerging issues like remote online notarization.
The official South Dakota handbook is published by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Read it cover to cover before your written exam — practice tests like ours are most useful as a check on your understanding, not a substitute for reading the source.
Free South Dakota Notary practice tests
Practice with our state-specific tests until you consistently score above 70%, then schedule your exam with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
Common reasons people fail
Common notary exam failures involve confusion between acknowledgments and jurats (acknowledgments verify identity and willingness to sign; jurats verify identity and that the signer swore to the truth of contents under oath). Other common errors: failing to check ID correctly, not maintaining the journal, and improper handling of incomplete documents.
After you pass
Commission term varies by state (usually 4-10 years). Maintain your journal correctly, keep your seal secure, and stay current on state law changes. Notarial work is often a side income for paralegals, real estate agents, and signing agents (notaries who specialize in loan signings).
State requirements change
State licensing fees, processes, and requirements change. The information here is based on publicly available materials from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety and our understanding of the South Dakota process at time of writing. Always verify current requirements directly with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety before scheduling your exam or paying fees.