Please read this first

We work to keep state commissioning information current, but requirements, fees, and forms can change faster than we can update this page. Confirm every step with the New Mexico Secretary of State using the official links below before you apply. This article is a checklist, not legal advice.

Overview

New Mexico commissions notaries public under RULONA. Remote online notarization is a separate SOS approval. You must already be a commissioned New Mexico Notary Public or Automatic Notarial Officer, complete the RON education course and exam, file the RON application, and be physically in New Mexico for every RON act.

Use this page as a checklist of where to go and what to complete. Follow the Secretary of State’s current instructions if anything here differs from the official site.

For a U.S. overview of remote online notary authorization, see the National Notary Association’s How to Become a Remote Online Notary. Follow the New Mexico Secretary of State’s instructions if anything differs.

Who Can Apply

To be commissioned as a New Mexico notary public, you must meet all of the following:

Age and connection

Be at least 18, a resident of or have a place of employment in New Mexico, and able to read and write English. Do not be disqualified under 14-14A-22 NMSA 1978.

Education, exam, and $10,000 bond

Complete the Notary Education course and exam, and obtain a $10,000 surety bond or functional equivalent (Become a Notary).

Online application and stamp registration

File on enterprise.sos.nm.gov with the $30 filing fee, then register the official stamp. Stamp registration is required within 45 days of approval.

Start Here: Notary Commission, Then RON Application

Complete traditional commissioning first. Then complete the separate RON course and exam and file the $75 RON application.

1

Read the official notary and RON pages

Open Become a Notary, Become a Remote Online Notary (RON), Remote Online Notarization FAQs, and Training Resources.

2

File the Notary Public Application online

Use enterprise.sos.nm.gov. Pay $30.

3

If you already hold a New Mexico commission, file the RON application before the first remote session

Complete the RON course and exam, then file as Become a Remote Online Notary (RON) instructs.

Part 1: Traditional New Mexico Notary Commission

Skip this section if you already hold an unexpired New Mexico notary public commission or Automatic Notarial Officer status. You cannot file the RON amendment until that is in place.

Checklist

1

Review the official how-to

Become a Notary and Notary Commissions.

2

Complete traditional notary education

Take the SOS-required Notary Education course and exam (80% or higher on Training Resources). The RULONA FAQ lists a separate $30 training-and-exam fee paid directly to the vendor.

3

Obtain a $10,000 surety bond

Obtain a $10,000 surety bond or functional equivalent issued by an entity authorized in this state. The applicant’s signature as principal must be notarized by a current New Mexico notary. Never notarize your own signature.

4

Submit the traditional application

File on enterprise.sos.nm.gov. Upload PDFs of the course certificate, a signed and notarized Oath of Office, and the notarized $10,000 bond. Pay the $30 filing fee by e-check or credit card.

5

Register the official stamp

After approval, purchase the official stamp and file Notary Public Stamp Registration within 45 days. If stamp registration is not completed in time, the SOS must refer the notary to the State Ethics Commission.

Part 2: Online (RON) Commission

The RON application is an amendment to a current notary public or automatic notarial officer record. Use only an SOS-approved remote online notarization system provider. You must be physically located in New Mexico at the time of the notarial act.

Have these ready

X.509 digital certificate

Use a system provider from the approved list linked from Become a Remote Online Notary (RON) and Remote Online Notarization FAQs. The SOS does not treat the list as a recommendation of one vendor.

Electronic seal image

Upload a PDF of the electronic stamp to be used with the RON application. After approval, complete stamp registration within 45 days.

Identity proofing capability

Verify identity at the start of the online session via communication technology that meets 12.9.4 NMAC. You may refuse the act if identity, security, or voluntariness cannot be established.

Electronic journal and recording

Follow the journal requirements for notarial officers and, for each RON, record the name of the remote online notarization system provider used.

Checklist

1

Read the official online-notary instructions

Become a Remote Online Notary (RON), Remote Online Notarization FAQs, and 12.9.4 NMAC.

2

Complete online notary education

Complete the Remote Online Notary Education course and exam on Training Resources (separate from the traditional notary course).

3

Start the online commission application

File the Remote Online Notary Application on enterprise.sos.nm.gov and upload the course certificate.

4

Sign with a digital certificate

Obtain and pay for RON technology directly with an approved system provider. The SOS filing fee is separate.

5

Upload your electronic seal

Upload a PDF file of the electronic stamp with the RON application, then complete stamp registration within 45 days of approval.

6

Pay and submit

The RON filing fee is $75 by e-check or credit card. Do not perform RON acts until the SOS has approved the application and stamp proof is on file.

After You Are Commissioned

Where you must be

A notarial officer authorized to perform remote online notarizations must be physically located in New Mexico at the time the notarial act takes place (12.9.4.10 NMAC).

Keep certificate and seal current

Keep the traditional commission or Automatic Notarial Officer status current. If you change RON systems, follow current SOS filing instructions.

Do not perform a remote online notarization until SOS approval and official stamp proof are complete. Traditional paper acts and RON are not interchangeable.

Fees Listed by the Secretary of State

The $30 traditional filing fee is from Become a Notary. The $75 RON fee is from Become a Remote Online Notary (RON). The $30 traditional training-and-exam amount is from the RULONA FAQ. Confirm them there before you pay. Bond premiums and platform fees are extra.

Item Listed amount
Traditional notary education and exam $30 paid to the approved vendor (RULONA FAQ)
RON education and exam Paid to the approved vendor listed on Training Resources (confirm current tuition there)
Traditional application $30
RON application $75
Surety bond $10,000 coverage (premium paid to the surety)

Official New Mexico Links

Resource Where to go
Become a notary sos.nm.gov/.../become-a-notary
Become a Remote Online Notary sos.nm.gov/.../become-a-remote-online-notary
RON FAQs sos.nm.gov/.../remote-online-notarization-faqs
Business Services Division (505) 827-3600

Common Questions

Q: Can I apply for the online commission first?

A: No. Be a commissioned New Mexico Notary Public or Automatic Notarial Officer first. The RON filing is an amendment.

Q: Does New Mexico approve a list of RON platforms?

A: Yes. Use a system provider on the SOS approved list linked from the RON page and FAQs. The list is not an endorsement of one vendor.

Q: Where can I confirm a fee or form changed?

A: Use Become a Notary and Become a Remote Online Notary (RON).

Last Updated: August 26, 2026  |  Author: Customer Success Team  |  Version: v1.0

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