Alabama (AL)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research Alabama notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Alabama notary details against the official state database.
Visit Alabama Official Notary Database
How to Research a Alabama Notary
1. Go to https://arc-sos.state.al.us/CGI/notename.mbr/input
2. Enter the notary's name in the search field.
3. Click Search and review the results.
4. Verify the commission details match.
2. Enter the notary's name in the search field.
3. Click Search and review the results.
4. Verify the commission details match.
How to Verify a Alabama Notary's Signature
Alabama notaries file their oath of office, bond, and signature with the Probate Judge in their county of appointment.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Probate Judge's office in the county where the notary was commissioned.
2. Request authentication of the notary's commission and signature — the county probate office maintains these records.
Alabama Secretary of State: (334) 242-7200
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Probate Judge's office in the county where the notary was commissioned.
2. Request authentication of the notary's commission and signature — the county probate office maintains these records.
Alabama Secretary of State: (334) 242-7200
Verifying Older Alabama Documents
Alabama Probate Judges report commission data to the Secretary of State, who maintains searchable records including historical data.
1. Search the Alabama SOS database at https://arc-sos.state.al.us/CGI/notename.mbr/input — you can search by name, issuance date, or expiration date.
2. If not found online, contact the Probate Judge's office in the notary's county or the Alabama SOS at (334) 242-7200.
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Search the Alabama SOS database at https://arc-sos.state.al.us/CGI/notename.mbr/input — you can search by name, issuance date, or expiration date.
2. If not found online, contact the Probate Judge's office in the notary's county or the Alabama SOS at (334) 242-7200.
Commission term: 4 years.
Alabama Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Alabama requires a notary seal on all notarial acts. Either an ink stamp or embossed seal is permitted, though an ink stamp is strongly recommended for photographic reproducibility.
Stamp requirements (Ala. Code § 36-20-72):
- Shape: Circular (not over 2" diameter) or rectangular (not more than 1" × 2½")
- Must include: Notary's name, "Notary Public", "Alabama"
- Commission number is not required on the seal by statute
- Alabama notaries are commissioned at the county level by the presiding judge of probate
Stamp requirements (Ala. Code § 36-20-72):
- Shape: Circular (not over 2" diameter) or rectangular (not more than 1" × 2½")
- Must include: Notary's name, "Notary Public", "Alabama"
- Commission number is not required on the seal by statute
- Alabama notaries are commissioned at the county level by the presiding judge of probate
Contacting a Alabama Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Alabama — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Alabama does not require notaries public to maintain a journal of notarial acts. As of 2011, the journal requirement was removed from Alabama law, although the Alabama Secretary of State strongly recommends that notaries voluntarily maintain a journal as a best practice.
Journal requirement:
- A notary public in Alabama is not required by law to maintain a journal for traditional notarial acts (Ala. Code § 36-20-70).
- The Alabama Secretary of State recommends that all notarial acts be recorded in a journal for the notary's protection.
- If a notary charges fees for notarial services, the law requires keeping a record (bound journal or electronic) of each fee-generating act.
Remote notarization:
- Notaries performing remote online notarizations must retain detailed records, including audio-visual recordings, for at least seven years under the Alabama Remote Online Notarization Act (Ala. Act 2023-548).
Contacting a notary:
- Because journal-keeping is voluntary for traditional notarizations, a notary may or may not have records to provide. If the notary does maintain a journal, there is no statutory right to inspect or request copies under Alabama law.
- If records are needed and the notary is unwilling to cooperate voluntarily, a subpoena or court order may be necessary to compel production.
Key considerations:
- Alabama notaries serve four-year terms (Ala. Code § 36-20-70).
- There is no statutory requirement for journal disposition upon commission expiry or death.
- Contact: AL Secretary of State Notary Section — (334) 242-5325 or notaries.public@sos.alabama.gov
Relevant statutes: Ala. Code §§ 36-20-70 to 36-20-75; Ala. Act 2023-548
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Alabama does not require notaries public to maintain a journal of notarial acts. As of 2011, the journal requirement was removed from Alabama law, although the Alabama Secretary of State strongly recommends that notaries voluntarily maintain a journal as a best practice.
Journal requirement:
- A notary public in Alabama is not required by law to maintain a journal for traditional notarial acts (Ala. Code § 36-20-70).
- The Alabama Secretary of State recommends that all notarial acts be recorded in a journal for the notary's protection.
- If a notary charges fees for notarial services, the law requires keeping a record (bound journal or electronic) of each fee-generating act.
Remote notarization:
- Notaries performing remote online notarizations must retain detailed records, including audio-visual recordings, for at least seven years under the Alabama Remote Online Notarization Act (Ala. Act 2023-548).
Contacting a notary:
- Because journal-keeping is voluntary for traditional notarizations, a notary may or may not have records to provide. If the notary does maintain a journal, there is no statutory right to inspect or request copies under Alabama law.
- If records are needed and the notary is unwilling to cooperate voluntarily, a subpoena or court order may be necessary to compel production.
Key considerations:
- Alabama notaries serve four-year terms (Ala. Code § 36-20-70).
- There is no statutory requirement for journal disposition upon commission expiry or death.
- Contact: AL Secretary of State Notary Section — (334) 242-5325 or notaries.public@sos.alabama.gov
Relevant statutes: Ala. Code §§ 36-20-70 to 36-20-75; Ala. Act 2023-548
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.