Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all your Missouri notary bond needs.
What Are They?
A Missouri notary bond is a commissioned notary public’s guarantee to comply with all statutes and rules governing the performance of notarial duties in the state of Missouri. Notaries help prevent fraud by verifying the identity of anyone signing a document requiring notarization, witnessing the signing of such documents, and applying a seal or stamp to confirm the authenticity of the signature.
Documents that must be notarized are typically those that:
- Attest to the truth of a certain matter, such as affidavits or testimony given during a deposition.
- Give someone the authority to make decisions or manage the assets of someone else, such as powers of attorney of trustee agreements.
- Confirm ownership of assets, such as deeds and certificates of title.
A forged signature or one that is made under duress or coercion could easily cause an innocent party to suffer a substantial financial loss.
Missouri notary bonds not only help ensure that notaries public are diligent in complying with legal requirements but also provide a source of funds for compensating parties injured by notarial misconduct or negligence.
Who Needs Them?
Anyone applying for a new notary commission or renewing an existing one must provide the Missouri Secretary of State with a Missouri notary bond in the amount of $10,000, which is referred to as the bond’s “penal sum.” This is the maximum amount that will be paid out on a valid claim. The bond must have the same four-year term as a Missouri notary commission.
The potential loss from a notary’s willful malfeasance or negligent failure to prevent a fraudulent signature could certainly exceed $10,000. That’s why notaries commonly purchase errors and omissions insurance for their own financial protection.
Speak with a Surety Bond Professionals agent today to discuss your bonding needs.
How Do They Work?
The three parties to a Missouri notary bond, which is a legally binding contract, are:
- The “obligee,” which is the Missouri Secretary of State requiring the bond.
- The “principal,” which is the notary purchasing the bond.
- The “surety,” which is the bonding company underwriting and approving the bond.
An injured party with a verified loss stemming from the unlawful, unethical, or negligent actions of the principal can file a claim against the Missouri notary bond and be compensated for that loss up to the bond’s full $10,000 penal sum.
The terms of the surety bond agreement obligate the principal to pay all valid claims. However, to expedite matters, the surety usually pays a valid claim directly to the claimant and then recovers that amount from the principal.
What Do They Cost?
Because Missouri notary bonds are not subject to underwriting, they’re sold for a small flat fee, usually no more than $50 for the entire four-year term of the bond.
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Our surety bond professionals will get you the Missouri notary bond you need at a competitive rate.