Vermont (VT)
Manual Only
Research Vermont notary commissions. Vermont requires manual lookup through the official state database.
Visit Vermont Official Notary Database
How to Research a Vermont Notary
Vermont maintains a notary verification database through the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR).
To verify a Vermont notary commission:
1. Go to https://sos.vermont.gov/opr/find-a-professional/
2. Use the search tool to look up the notary by name.
3. Verify the license type (Notary Public), status, issue date, and expiration date.
4. If unable to access the online tool, call OPR at (802) 828-1505 or email sos.OPRinfo@vermont.gov.
Note: Vermont notary commissions expire January 31 of odd-numbered years.
Reference: https://sos.vermont.gov/notaries-public/
To verify a Vermont notary commission:
1. Go to https://sos.vermont.gov/opr/find-a-professional/
2. Use the search tool to look up the notary by name.
3. Verify the license type (Notary Public), status, issue date, and expiration date.
4. If unable to access the online tool, call OPR at (802) 828-1505 or email sos.OPRinfo@vermont.gov.
Note: Vermont notary commissions expire January 31 of odd-numbered years.
Reference: https://sos.vermont.gov/notaries-public/
How to Verify a Vermont Notary's Signature
Vermont notaries file their oath of office with the town clerk in the town where they reside.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Identify the notary's town of residence (this may appear on the notarial certificate or seal).
2. Contact the town clerk in that municipality to request comparison against the notary's oath signature on file.
3. The Secretary of State's OPR office at (802) 828-1505 can confirm whether a person holds or held a valid commission.
Reference: 26 VSA Chapter 103
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Identify the notary's town of residence (this may appear on the notarial certificate or seal).
2. Contact the town clerk in that municipality to request comparison against the notary's oath signature on file.
3. The Secretary of State's OPR office at (802) 828-1505 can confirm whether a person holds or held a valid commission.
Reference: 26 VSA Chapter 103
Verifying Older Vermont Documents
Vermont does not maintain a comprehensive public online archive of expired notary commissions.
1. Try the OPR "Find a Professional" tool at https://sos.vermont.gov/opr/find-a-professional/ -- it may include information about former licensees.
2. If not found, contact OPR at (802) 828-1505 or email sos.OPRinfo@vermont.gov for historical commission records.
3. Provide the notary's name and the approximate date of notarization.
4. The town clerk where the notary filed their oath may also have historical records.
Commission term: 2 years (expires January 31 of odd-numbered years).
1. Try the OPR "Find a Professional" tool at https://sos.vermont.gov/opr/find-a-professional/ -- it may include information about former licensees.
2. If not found, contact OPR at (802) 828-1505 or email sos.OPRinfo@vermont.gov for historical commission records.
3. Provide the notary's name and the approximate date of notarization.
4. The town clerk where the notary filed their oath may also have historical records.
Commission term: 2 years (expires January 31 of odd-numbered years).
Vermont Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Vermont requires notaries to use an official seal or stamp on all notarized documents.
Seal requirements (26 VSA 5341 et seq.):
- Must include: The notary's name, "Notary Public", and "State of Vermont"
- Including the commission expiration date is optional, but if omitted the notary should have a separate stamp for it
- Either a rubber stamp or embosser is acceptable
- The seal must produce a clear, legible impression
- Vermont notaries are commissioned statewide (not by county)
Seal requirements (26 VSA 5341 et seq.):
- Must include: The notary's name, "Notary Public", and "State of Vermont"
- Including the commission expiration date is optional, but if omitted the notary should have a separate stamp for it
- Either a rubber stamp or embosser is acceptable
- The seal must produce a clear, legible impression
- Vermont notaries are commissioned statewide (not by county)
Contacting a Vermont 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.
Vermont — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Vermont does not require notaries to maintain a journal for traditional notarial acts, though maintaining one is recommended as a best practice (26 V.S.A. Chapter 103). Because journal-keeping is optional, there is no statutory framework for public access to notary journals in Vermont.
Journal requirement:
- Vermont notaries are not required to maintain a journal for traditional notarizations, electronic notarizations, or remote notarizations.
- Maintaining a journal is recommended as a best practice to record: date and time of the act, type of notarial act, document description, signer's name and address, method of identification, fee charged (if any), and any additional information that may assist in recalling the notarial act.
- For remote online notarization (RON), notaries must retain audio-visual recordings of remote notarizations for 10 years.
Right to inspect:
- Because Vermont does not mandate journal-keeping for most notarial acts, there is no statutory right to inspect notary journals.
- If a notary voluntarily maintains a journal, the notary may (but is not required to) provide access to journal entries.
- Parties seeking information about a notarial act may need to contact the notary directly (who may decline to provide information) or obtain a court order or subpoena to compel production of any records the notary may have.
What can be requested:
- If a notary voluntarily maintains a journal and agrees to provide access, the following information may be available: date, time, type of notarial act, document description, signer's name and address, method of identification, fee charged.
- Thumbprints: Vermont does not require thumbprints for notarial acts.
Key considerations:
- Vermont is one of the few states that does not require notaries to maintain a journal for traditional notarial acts.
- Many Vermont notaries may not have detailed records of notarial acts performed, as record-keeping is discretionary.
- For remote online notarizations, notaries must retain audio-visual recordings for 10 years, which may provide verification of those specific acts.
- Vermont's Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. § 315 et seq.) governs access to government records generally, but would not apply to private notaries' voluntary journals.
- Contact: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation — (802) 828-1505
Relevant statutes: 26 V.S.A. Chapter 103, 1 V.S.A. § 315 et seq.
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.
Vermont does not require notaries to maintain a journal for traditional notarial acts, though maintaining one is recommended as a best practice (26 V.S.A. Chapter 103). Because journal-keeping is optional, there is no statutory framework for public access to notary journals in Vermont.
Journal requirement:
- Vermont notaries are not required to maintain a journal for traditional notarizations, electronic notarizations, or remote notarizations.
- Maintaining a journal is recommended as a best practice to record: date and time of the act, type of notarial act, document description, signer's name and address, method of identification, fee charged (if any), and any additional information that may assist in recalling the notarial act.
- For remote online notarization (RON), notaries must retain audio-visual recordings of remote notarizations for 10 years.
Right to inspect:
- Because Vermont does not mandate journal-keeping for most notarial acts, there is no statutory right to inspect notary journals.
- If a notary voluntarily maintains a journal, the notary may (but is not required to) provide access to journal entries.
- Parties seeking information about a notarial act may need to contact the notary directly (who may decline to provide information) or obtain a court order or subpoena to compel production of any records the notary may have.
What can be requested:
- If a notary voluntarily maintains a journal and agrees to provide access, the following information may be available: date, time, type of notarial act, document description, signer's name and address, method of identification, fee charged.
- Thumbprints: Vermont does not require thumbprints for notarial acts.
Key considerations:
- Vermont is one of the few states that does not require notaries to maintain a journal for traditional notarial acts.
- Many Vermont notaries may not have detailed records of notarial acts performed, as record-keeping is discretionary.
- For remote online notarizations, notaries must retain audio-visual recordings for 10 years, which may provide verification of those specific acts.
- Vermont's Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. § 315 et seq.) governs access to government records generally, but would not apply to private notaries' voluntary journals.
- Contact: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation — (802) 828-1505
Relevant statutes: 26 V.S.A. Chapter 103, 1 V.S.A. § 315 et seq.
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.