NOTARY PUBLIC BOND
DISCLAIMER  
BE ADVISED THAT THIS SERVICE IS NOT OFFERED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.  
Hausmann-Johnson Insurance must be the current Agent of Record for your home, auto, business, health, and/or life insurance; or, an established surety program must exist with our Bonding Department.  

Your Notary Public Seal or 
Stamp is required on your application

"A notary is considered to be a public official and must observe the laws of the State within their jurisdiction.  A notary public bond protects the people in the event that the notary makes an error.  For a notary public's protection, Errors and Omissions Insurance is recommended."
CONTACT INFORMATION:

"First Time" Applicants With
Hausmann-Johnson and/or
Expired Notary Bonds Only

Hausmann-Johnson Insurance
Bond Department
PO Box 259408
Madison, WI  53725-9408
Phone: (608) 257-3795  or 1(800) 729-4287

Renewals
 (Your 4-year term is
about to expire)

Contact our office.  Renewal procedures vary depending on the surety company who wrote your initial bond.  Some companies will require you renew directly through their office and will send you an invoice.  Other companies require that your paperwork be completed directly through our office. We can determine the proper procedure. 

To Confirm Your Application
was Received and Approved

Office of the Secretary of State:
Notary/Records Division
PO Box 7848
Madison, WI  53707-7848
Phone:  608-266-5594

State of Wisconsin Required Forms

Adobe Acrobat is necessary to download the most current forms from the State of Wisconsin.  You are encouraged to visit their sites if you are becoming a notary public, making changes that will affect your existing bond, or to review the information brochure regarding notary bonds.

To download the latest version of the software Adobe Acrobat Reader, click on the icon below.

For the most current Notary Public application, 
forms to change your name or address and to 
obtain an informative handbook, visit the
following link:

Office of the Secretary of State
State of Wisconsin

GENERAL INFORMATION

THE COST OF A NOTARY BOND:  $65 per application for each new or expired $500 four-year notary commission payable in two separate checks; $20 - Secretary of State and $45 - Hausmann Johnson Insurance.  NOTE:  If your commission has expired or you are applying with Hausmann-Johnson Insurance for the first time, it is regarded as a new bond and subject to the same fees as a new applicant.  Check the renewal box on the form and the date of expiration if you have held this commission before. 
TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION:  Download the necessary forms from the State of Wisconsin site; or, contact the Office of the Secretary of State, Notary Records at (608) 266-5594.   Notary commissions are issued for a four year period. New applicants, expired commissions or those who are new to Hausmann-Johnson must complete a Notary Public Application, a Notary Public Bond Form and the Oath of Office which must be signed and witnessed by a Notarial Officer.  Your seal must appear on the application.  The issuing bonding company seal must appear on all bonds prior to being submitted to the State.
COMPLETING AN APPLICATION - NEW APPLICANTS:  Purchase a  stamp or seal with the exact name you will use as a notary public.  Your stamp or seal must be present on the application when it is submitted to our office.

Complete your application in the presence of a Notary Public.  Answer all questions.  Unanswered questions will result in your application being returned or declined.  Two checks are needed for each application being submitted:  $20 payable to the Office of the Secretary of State-Notary Records (and) one to Hausmann-Johnson Insurance payable in the amount designated by the bond department.

Mail the application, bond, Oath of Office and both payments to:
Hausmann-Johnson Insurance, Inc., Attn. Bond Department, P.O. Box 259408, Madison, WI., 53725-9408.

RENEWING YOUR COMMISSION BEFORE IT EXPIRES:  Contact our office.  Renewal procedures are determined by the company who wrote your initial bond.  If this is the first time you have applied for a bond through Hausmann-Johnson, your notary public application will be considered a new bond and all new fees apply.  If your bonding authority has expired, you are required to apply as a new applicant.  
APPLYING FOR A PERMANENT COMMISSION:  Permanent commission applies to the legal profession only.  An attorney may obtain a permanent commission by completing an "Application for Permanent Commission" and submitting a "Letter in Good Standing" from the Court.  The commission is $50 and the letter is $3.00.  (Fees are subject to change.) The application, letter and fee is sent directly to the Secretary of State.  (See the reverse side of the application for specific directions.)
CHANGING YOUR NAME OR ADDRESS:  Notify the Office of the Secretary of the State, Notary Records, PO Box 7848, Madison, Wisconsin   53707  (or) call them directly at 608-266-5594.  A (Change of Name) form can be found on the State of Wisconsin website.  The (Change of Name) form must be filed with the State prior to using your seal.  Also notify the issuing company as your renewal will be sent to the address they have on file from your original bond.  They will attach a rider to your bond listing your new name or address change.  Your stamp or seal must also reflect the new name.  All information must be current with both the State and the Bonding Company.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q & A:  Is it necessary to obtain a new commission if I'm a notary in another state?  [Yes.  You are considered to be a public official of the State and must hold a commission in the jurisdiction where you will act as such.  In this case, from the State of Wisconsin.]
Q & A:  Hausmann Johnson issues notary bond renewals for my employer; I have not applied with your firm before.  How do your fees apply to me?  [You are viewed as a first-time applicant and must apply as such.]  
Q & A:  My name has changed.  Can I still use my stamp or seal?  [Your stamp or seal must reflect the exact signature you will be using.  If your name has changed, you are required to obtain a new stamp or seal to reflect the change.  Also change your address with the surety company and the State if your residence changes.]
Q & A:  How will relocating affect my notary commission?   [If you remain within the State of Wisconsin, you must contact both the State Notary Bond Department and the surety company that issued your notary bond to change your address.  Failure to do so will result in misdirection of your bond at the time of renewal.  Prior to September 2002, if you moved out of the state you were commissioned in, you could not maintain the status of notary public as you must practice under the laws in the jurisdiction where you resided.  As of September 2002, the new four-year commission notary application wording has changed to read "resident of the United States" as opposed to resident of the State of Wisconsin.  Your notorial duties can only be performed within the State of Wisconsin; however, residency can be in a different state.  Make sure to complete the correct application.]
Q & A:  My company is submitting several applications at one time.  What procedures must be followed?  [Enclose a separate check for the Secretary of State for EACH application you are submitting.  You must include a breakdown for payment to be applied correctly.]  i.e. Jane-(new), John-(renewal), Jeff-(renewal but new to Hausmann-Johnson Insurance, Inc.) etc.