Journal Requirements in Indiana
Indiana does not require a notary journal for traditional in-person paper notarizations. Indiana Code §33-42-0.5 et seq. (Indiana Notary Public Act, modernized in 2018) governs Indiana notaries. Indiana adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) in 2018, which authorized electronic notarizations. For RON, Indiana requires an electronic journal and audio-visual recording with a 10-year retention period — one of the longer requirements nationally. Indiana's 8-year commission term and $25,000 bond requirement are notable outliers compared to most states. Indiana's real estate market is anchored by Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and the Chicago suburban corridor in the northwest part of the state, generating consistent loan signing demand particularly for refinances and purchase transactions in the $200,000–$400,000 price range.
Indiana Notary Commission Quick Facts
| Element | Indiana Requirement |
|---|---|
| Governing authority | in.gov/sos |
| Commission term | 8 years |
| Bond required | $25,000 surety bond |
| Exam/training | No exam required |
| Journal (paper notarizations) | Not required — recommended |
| Journal (electronic/RON) | Required — 10 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Indiana's 8-year notary commission term is one of the longest in the country — most states use 4 years. This is simply a legislative choice reflected in Indiana Code §33-42-2-4. The longer term reduces the administrative burden of renewal for notaries but also means Indiana notaries go longer between credential refreshes. For signing agents, this means ensuring your E&O insurance, background check, and certification credentials are renewed on their own schedules independently of your notary commission.
The surety bond is a condition of your notary commission, not a separate signing agent requirement. The bond protects the public from financial harm caused by notarial misconduct — it does not substitute for E&O insurance, which protects you from the cost of defending claims. Most Indiana signing agents carry both the required $25,000 bond (typically costing $30–$60 annually) and separate E&O coverage at $100,000 or more.
Yes. A journal provides contemporaneous documentation of every notarial act. In the event of a fraud allegation, a dispute about whether a document was signed, or a complaint to the Secretary of State, your journal is your primary defense. Professional signing agents in Indiana maintain journals as standard practice regardless of the legal mandate.
Standard government-issued photo identification is accepted: state driver’s license or ID card, U.S. passport or passport card, military ID, and permanent resident card. Always verify current Indiana statutes for any state-specific variations. When in doubt, require documentary ID rather than relying on personal knowledge of the signer.
Indiana does not have a separate state-issued notary signing agent certification. The notary commission is the legal credential. Most signing services and title companies operating in Indiana require NNA certification, a current background check, and E&O insurance at $100,000 or more as vendor requirements.