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Commercial bond

District of Columbia Notary Bond

District of Columbia notaries public must have a $2,000 surety bond covering their five-year commission, under D.C. Code § 1-1231.19. Notaries commissioned only for the DC Government do not need one.

Bond at a glance
District of Columbia Notary BondCommercial bond
Required by state law
LawD.C. Code § 1-1231.19
Amount$2,000
Term5 years (the commission term)
Commissioning agencyOffice of the Secretary, Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications
Required byOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia
How it works

Three steps to your bond.

  1. 01Apply onceTell us about your business and what the bond is for. One application covers most contractor bonds.
  2. 02The surety reviews itPropeller Bonds, our surety partner, reviews your application and sets the terms. We show you the terms before you commit.
  3. 03Sign and fileSign the bond and file it with whoever requires it: the project owner, agency or court. We help with the filing.
About this bond

What a notary bond is

Many states require a notary public to have a bond before they're commissioned. It protects the public if the notary makes a mistake or commits misconduct. It doesn't protect the notary: errors and omissions insurance does that.

In District of Columbia

District of Columbia notaries public must have a $2,000 surety bond covering their five-year commission, under D.C. Code § 1-1231.19. Notaries commissioned only for the DC Government do not need one.

  • Applicants use the bond form sent with the appointment notice.

You need this bond if you're

  • Someone applying to become a notary
  • A notary renewing a commission
  • An employer with staff who notarize documents

What the surety looks at

Basic personal details. Notary bonds usually don't need a detailed review.

FAQs

Common questions.

Does District of Columbia require a notary bond?

See the facts above for the amount and term. The commissioning office lists the current rules.

Does the bond protect me as the notary?

No. It pays people harmed by a notary's error or misconduct, and the notary repays the surety. Errors and omissions insurance is what protects the notary.

What does it cost?

You pay a premium, not the bond amount. The surety sets the premium after it reviews your application, usually as a percentage of the bond amount. We show you the terms before you commit.

How do I get one through BLDAssure?

Apply once with us. We collect the details the surety needs, Propeller Bonds (our surety partner) reviews the application and issues the bond, and we help you file it with whoever requires it.

Related bonds

Other District of Columbia bonds.

See all 21 District of Columbia bonds with prices →

License bond

District of Columbia Contractor License Bond

Some states, and many cities and counties, make contractors post a bond to get or renew a license.

Permit bond

District of Columbia Permit Bond

Some cities and counties require a bond before they issue a building or work permit.

Federal bond

District of Columbia Freight Broker Bond (BMC-84)

Federal law requires property brokers and freight forwarders to keep $75,000 in financial security to hold operating authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Sources

  1. D.C. Code § 1-1231.19
  2. DC Office of the Secretary: Notary Commissions

General information, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm the current requirement with the agency or owner that asks for the bond. Facts checked Oct 23, 2026.

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