Iowa (IA)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research Iowa notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Iowa notary details against the official state database.
Visit Iowa Official Notary Database
How to Research a Iowa Notary
Iowa provides an online notary public search maintained by the Secretary of State.
To verify an Iowa notary commission:
1. Go to https://sos.iowa.gov/search/notary/search.aspx
2. Enter the notary's first name, last name, and/or city.
3. Optionally filter by status (e.g. Active) and notarization type (electronic or remote).
4. Click Search and review the results.
5. Click on a notary's name to view full commission details including commission number and expiration date.
6. If the online search is unavailable, call the Iowa Secretary of State's Notary Division at (515) 281-5204.
Reference: https://sos.iowa.gov/notaries/about.html
To verify an Iowa notary commission:
1. Go to https://sos.iowa.gov/search/notary/search.aspx
2. Enter the notary's first name, last name, and/or city.
3. Optionally filter by status (e.g. Active) and notarization type (electronic or remote).
4. Click Search and review the results.
5. Click on a notary's name to view full commission details including commission number and expiration date.
6. If the online search is unavailable, call the Iowa Secretary of State's Notary Division at (515) 281-5204.
Reference: https://sos.iowa.gov/notaries/about.html
How to Verify a Iowa Notary's Signature
Iowa does not require notaries to post a bond. The Secretary of State is the primary custodian of notary commission records.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Search the Iowa SOS notary database online at https://sos.iowa.gov/search/notary/search.aspx -- the detail page shows the notary's status and commission information.
2. Contact the Iowa Secretary of State's Notary Division at (515) 281-5204 or email notary@sos.Iowa.gov to request verification of a notary's commission and signature.
3. Iowa notaries have statewide jurisdiction.
Reference: Iowa Code ch. 9B
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Search the Iowa SOS notary database online at https://sos.iowa.gov/search/notary/search.aspx -- the detail page shows the notary's status and commission information.
2. Contact the Iowa Secretary of State's Notary Division at (515) 281-5204 or email notary@sos.Iowa.gov to request verification of a notary's commission and signature.
3. Iowa notaries have statewide jurisdiction.
Reference: Iowa Code ch. 9B
Verifying Older Iowa Documents
The Iowa SOS online notary search may include both active and expired commissions.
1. Search the Iowa SOS notary database -- expired commission data may still appear in results.
2. If not found online, contact the Iowa Secretary of State's Notary Division at (515) 281-5204 for historical records.
3. You may also email notary@sos.Iowa.gov with the notary's name and approximate date of notarization.
Address: Iowa Secretary of State, Lucas Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319
Commission term: 3 years.
1. Search the Iowa SOS notary database -- expired commission data may still appear in results.
2. If not found online, contact the Iowa Secretary of State's Notary Division at (515) 281-5204 for historical records.
3. You may also email notary@sos.Iowa.gov with the notary's name and approximate date of notarization.
Address: Iowa Secretary of State, Lucas Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319
Commission term: 3 years.
Iowa Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Iowa requires every notary to use an official stamp or seal on all notarized documents.
Seal requirements (Iowa Code s. 9B.17):
- Must include: (i) the notary public's name, (ii) the words "Notarial Seal" and "Iowa", (iii) the words "Commission Number" followed by the number assigned by the Secretary of State, (iv) the words "My Commission Expires" followed by the expiration date or a blank line for the notary to fill in
- The stamp must produce a legible impression capable of photographic reproduction
- Iowa notaries have statewide jurisdiction
- Iowa does NOT require a notary bond
Seal requirements (Iowa Code s. 9B.17):
- Must include: (i) the notary public's name, (ii) the words "Notarial Seal" and "Iowa", (iii) the words "Commission Number" followed by the number assigned by the Secretary of State, (iv) the words "My Commission Expires" followed by the expiration date or a blank line for the notary to fill in
- The stamp must produce a legible impression capable of photographic reproduction
- Iowa notaries have statewide jurisdiction
- Iowa does NOT require a notary bond
Contacting a Iowa 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.
Iowa — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Iowa does not require traditional notaries public to maintain a journal of notarial acts. However, the Iowa Secretary of State strongly recommends that notaries keep a journal and retain it for 10 years (Iowa Code Chapter 9B). Notaries performing remote online notarization must maintain an electronic journal.
Right to inspect:
- Because Iowa law does not mandate a notary journal for traditional notarizations, there is no statutory right to inspect a journal that may not exist.
- If a notary voluntarily maintains a journal and agrees to provide access, the requestor would need to contact the notary directly and request access voluntarily.
- A notary journal can be disclosed in response to a court order, subpoena, or other legal process compelling disclosure (Iowa Code Chapter 9B).
What can be requested:
- The Iowa Secretary of State recommends that voluntary journals include: date and time, type of act, document date and type, signer's printed name and address, identification method (including ID credential details or credible witness information), fees charged, unusual circumstances, and signer's signature in the journal.
- Thumbprint: Iowa does not require thumbprints in notary journals.
Key considerations:
- Since journal-keeping is optional for traditional notarizations, many Iowa notaries may not maintain journals at all.
- The recommended retention period is 10 years.
- Iowa notary commissions last 3 years. Two months before expiration, the Secretary of State notifies the notary and provides a reappointment application.
- If seeking verification of a notarization, it may be more productive to request an affidavit or sworn statement from the notary regarding their recollection of the notarial act, or to subpoena the notary for deposition.
- Contact: Iowa Secretary of State, Notary Division — (515) 281-5204
Relevant statutes: Iowa Code Chapter 9B
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.
Iowa does not require traditional notaries public to maintain a journal of notarial acts. However, the Iowa Secretary of State strongly recommends that notaries keep a journal and retain it for 10 years (Iowa Code Chapter 9B). Notaries performing remote online notarization must maintain an electronic journal.
Right to inspect:
- Because Iowa law does not mandate a notary journal for traditional notarizations, there is no statutory right to inspect a journal that may not exist.
- If a notary voluntarily maintains a journal and agrees to provide access, the requestor would need to contact the notary directly and request access voluntarily.
- A notary journal can be disclosed in response to a court order, subpoena, or other legal process compelling disclosure (Iowa Code Chapter 9B).
What can be requested:
- The Iowa Secretary of State recommends that voluntary journals include: date and time, type of act, document date and type, signer's printed name and address, identification method (including ID credential details or credible witness information), fees charged, unusual circumstances, and signer's signature in the journal.
- Thumbprint: Iowa does not require thumbprints in notary journals.
Key considerations:
- Since journal-keeping is optional for traditional notarizations, many Iowa notaries may not maintain journals at all.
- The recommended retention period is 10 years.
- Iowa notary commissions last 3 years. Two months before expiration, the Secretary of State notifies the notary and provides a reappointment application.
- If seeking verification of a notarization, it may be more productive to request an affidavit or sworn statement from the notary regarding their recollection of the notarial act, or to subpoena the notary for deposition.
- Contact: Iowa Secretary of State, Notary Division — (515) 281-5204
Relevant statutes: Iowa Code Chapter 9B
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.