WEST VIRGINIA - In a controversial move that is aimed at making the entire application process easier and faster for becoming a Notary Public in the State of West Virginia, the Secretary of State has announced that as of June 3, 2018 there will no longer be a requirement for applicants to obtain a $1000 surety bond. 

The following statement was released regarding the change

A simpler application has been created to expedite the process, as we know the importance of notaries is to move at the speed of business and at the speed of the citizens of West Virginia... These changes should make the process of becoming a notary public more convenient and less expensive... Notaries play an important role in the legal process here in West Virginia. Notaries will always be held to a high standard of integrity while performing their duties

Among the changes is also the ability to simply go through the application process online. There is a one-time fee for the online application process that is $52.

What is a surety bond and why is it important?

Simply put, the surety bond protects the person who is signing the documents that are being notarized. A surety bond is a financial guarantee that a person who loses money because of a Notary’s misconduct or fraud will be reimbursed up to the bond’s limit. Surety bonds are common practice and required in the majority of states through the US. 

In a perfect world there would be no need for a surety bond. We expect the Notary Public who is notarizing our documents to hold his or herself to the highest standards - after all, they have sworn in an taken an oath to uphold all laws regarding a Notary Public's services. Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world and should expect ourselves to be protected from someone else's wrong-doing in a situation like this. Having a surety bond gives peace of mind to signers, and I therefore find this move by the State of West Virginia perplexing

- Nick Colvill, Certified Signing Agent in California

With this latest change, there are now currently only 31 states that still require a Notary Public to obtain a surety bond. 

Opinion - what is your take? Should a Notary be required to have a surety bond?