Montana (MT)
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Research Montana notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Montana notary details against the official state database.
Visit Montana Official Notary Database
How to Research a Montana Notary
1. Go to https://biz.sosmt.gov/search/notary/
2. Select 'Find a Specific Notary' and enter the notary's name.
3. Click Search and review the results.
4. Click on the notary's name to view detailed contact information and commission details.
5. If the notary is not found, contact the Montana SOS Notary Division at (406) 444-1877 or sosnotary@mt.gov.
Note: The database contains 50,000+ current and former notaries.
2. Select 'Find a Specific Notary' and enter the notary's name.
3. Click Search and review the results.
4. Click on the notary's name to view detailed contact information and commission details.
5. If the notary is not found, contact the Montana SOS Notary Division at (406) 444-1877 or sosnotary@mt.gov.
Note: The database contains 50,000+ current and former notaries.
How to Verify a Montana Notary's Signature
Montana notaries file their oath of office and surety bond with the county clerk and recorder in the county where they reside.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the county clerk and recorder in the county where the notary filed their oath (typically their county of residence).
2. The clerk and recorder maintains the oath of office, bond, and signature specimen on file.
3. Alternatively, contact the Montana Secretary of State, Notary & Certifications Division at (406) 444-1877 to confirm commission status.
Email: sosnotary@mt.gov
Reference: MCA ss. 1-5-619, 1-5-621
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the county clerk and recorder in the county where the notary filed their oath (typically their county of residence).
2. The clerk and recorder maintains the oath of office, bond, and signature specimen on file.
3. Alternatively, contact the Montana Secretary of State, Notary & Certifications Division at (406) 444-1877 to confirm commission status.
Email: sosnotary@mt.gov
Reference: MCA ss. 1-5-619, 1-5-621
Verifying Older Montana Documents
The Montana SOS online notary search includes both current and former notaries (50,000+ records).
1. Search the Montana SOS notary database at https://biz.sosmt.gov/search/notary/ -- former notary records may still appear.
2. If not found online, contact the Montana Secretary of State, Notary & Certifications Division at (406) 444-1877.
3. The county clerk and recorder in the notary's county of residence may also have historical oath and bond records.
Address: P.O. Box 202801, Helena, MT 59620-2801
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Search the Montana SOS notary database at https://biz.sosmt.gov/search/notary/ -- former notary records may still appear.
2. If not found online, contact the Montana Secretary of State, Notary & Certifications Division at (406) 444-1877.
3. The county clerk and recorder in the notary's county of residence may also have historical oath and bond records.
Address: P.O. Box 202801, Helena, MT 59620-2801
Commission term: 4 years.
Montana Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Montana requires every notary to use an official ink stamp on notarized documents.
Stamp requirements (MCA ss. 1-5-616):
- Type: Ink stamp only (embosser alone is not acceptable); rectangular shape, approximately 1" x 2-1/2"
- Ink color: Blue or black only
- Must include: Notary's printed name, "Notary Public for the State of Montana", "Residing at [city or town]", commission expiration date (Month/Day/Four-Digit Year)
- The rectangular border is a REQUIRED part of the stamp
- If any information on the stamp changes during the term, a new stamp must be obtained (handwritten corrections are not allowed)
- A new stamp must be purchased for each new commission term
- Montana notaries have statewide jurisdiction
Stamp requirements (MCA ss. 1-5-616):
- Type: Ink stamp only (embosser alone is not acceptable); rectangular shape, approximately 1" x 2-1/2"
- Ink color: Blue or black only
- Must include: Notary's printed name, "Notary Public for the State of Montana", "Residing at [city or town]", commission expiration date (Month/Day/Four-Digit Year)
- The rectangular border is a REQUIRED part of the stamp
- If any information on the stamp changes during the term, a new stamp must be obtained (handwritten corrections are not allowed)
- A new stamp must be purchased for each new commission term
- Montana notaries have statewide jurisdiction
Contacting a Montana 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.
Montana — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Montana requires notaries public to maintain one or more journals to chronicle all notarial acts performed. The journal may be created on a tangible medium (permanent, bound register) or in an electronic format that is permanent and tamper-evident (MCA § 1-5-618).
Right to inspect:
- Any person may inspect or obtain a copy of an entry in a notary's journal if the person specifies in a signed tangible or electronic request the month, year, type of record, and name of the principal.
- The notary does not surrender possession or control of the journal; the person is shown or given a copy of only the entry specified.
- The notary must be satisfied that the person requesting inspection or copy does not have a criminal or other illegal purpose for inspecting the entry or obtaining the copy (MCA § 1-5-618).
- A notary may charge a fee not to exceed $10 for notarial services, though the statute does not specify a separate fee for journal copies (MCA § 1-5-626).
Inspection by authorities:
- A journal may be examined and copied without restriction by a law enforcement officer in the course of an official investigation.
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date and time of notarization, type of notarial act, type of document or transaction, identification method used, description of identification credential, signature of principal, fee charged
- Prohibited entries: A notary may not record in the journal a social security number, passport number, driver's license number, birth date, or any other information prohibited by the Secretary of State.
- Thumbprint: Montana law does not require thumbprints in notary journals.
Key considerations:
- Montana adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts in 2019 with significant updates to notary journal requirements.
- If a notary leaves employment before the commission expires, the notary may leave a copy of the journal with the employer but must still retain the original.
- Contact: MT Secretary of State Notary & Certifications Division — (406) 444-1877 — sosnotary@mt.gov — sosmt.gov/notary
Relevant statutes: MCA §§ 1-5-618, 1-5-626; Admin. Rule 44.15.110
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.
Montana requires notaries public to maintain one or more journals to chronicle all notarial acts performed. The journal may be created on a tangible medium (permanent, bound register) or in an electronic format that is permanent and tamper-evident (MCA § 1-5-618).
Right to inspect:
- Any person may inspect or obtain a copy of an entry in a notary's journal if the person specifies in a signed tangible or electronic request the month, year, type of record, and name of the principal.
- The notary does not surrender possession or control of the journal; the person is shown or given a copy of only the entry specified.
- The notary must be satisfied that the person requesting inspection or copy does not have a criminal or other illegal purpose for inspecting the entry or obtaining the copy (MCA § 1-5-618).
- A notary may charge a fee not to exceed $10 for notarial services, though the statute does not specify a separate fee for journal copies (MCA § 1-5-626).
Inspection by authorities:
- A journal may be examined and copied without restriction by a law enforcement officer in the course of an official investigation.
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date and time of notarization, type of notarial act, type of document or transaction, identification method used, description of identification credential, signature of principal, fee charged
- Prohibited entries: A notary may not record in the journal a social security number, passport number, driver's license number, birth date, or any other information prohibited by the Secretary of State.
- Thumbprint: Montana law does not require thumbprints in notary journals.
Key considerations:
- Montana adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts in 2019 with significant updates to notary journal requirements.
- If a notary leaves employment before the commission expires, the notary may leave a copy of the journal with the employer but must still retain the original.
- Contact: MT Secretary of State Notary & Certifications Division — (406) 444-1877 — sosnotary@mt.gov — sosmt.gov/notary
Relevant statutes: MCA §§ 1-5-618, 1-5-626; Admin. Rule 44.15.110
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.