A Strong Voice for Michigan Notaries At Every Level of Government
Our Approach: Advocacy, Not Lobbying
MINA advocates for Michigan notaries by educating lawmakers, regulators, and the public about the important work notaries do every day. Advocacy means sharing facts, experiences, and professional expertise to raise awareness and encourage informed decision-making.
Lobbying is different. Lobbying involves urging lawmakers to support or oppose specific legislation. As a nonprofit organization, MINA does not
lobby or take positions on specific bills.
Instead, we focus on education, collaboration, and open communication helping ensure that decisions affecting notaries are informed, fair, and grounded in real-world understanding.
Legislative Efforts
MiLONA is the current MI law which went into effect in 2003, there have been few changes since.
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View the list of elected officials MINA has met with.
MINA has a seat at the table representing Michigan notaries in national conversations that shape policy and protect the public.
2025 and 2026 – Member of National Association of Secretaries of State, Notary Public Administrators/Non-Government Member
Uniform Law Commission - Deed Fraud Committee
The Notary Public Administrators Section of the National Association of Secretaries of State
Advancing Macomb NonProfit Accelerator
Suggested changes to the current law
- Notary must complete an approved course of instruction from a notary public school that is licensed under the notary public education licensure act.
- Notary must pass exam after class with a score of 85% or higher - details are involved.
- Mandates the education for notaries - how it looks, works, and penalties.
- Allowance for notaries with 20+ years as a notary to test out. If 95% or higher, they can be exempt from education.
- Exams will be proctored, same as insurance and real estate exams.
- Fees for notary education and exam will be paid by the potential notary.
- Exam only potential exempted persons will pay a fee for the exam only.
- Changes the length of each commission to 4 years from 6-7 years.
- Removes the automated system for appointing notaries.
- Spells out who is identifying the potential signer, and how, at the time of application.
- Mandates that each notary be assigned a commission number by 6 months past the date the bill is signed into law.
- Mandates the use of a notary stamp.
- Mandates the use of a notary journal.
- Raises the cost to become a notary to $25 at the county level, and $25 at the state level.
- Allows for RON notarizations to be charged at a rate of $45 for the first in a session, and $15 for each subsequent in the same session.
- Raises notary fee cap from $10 to $15.
- Specify that RON commission needs to be redone with each commission application, nothing carries over.
- Mandate RON platforms to check RON commission for each notary.
- Secretary no longer automatically renews attorney’s commissions.
- Attorneys will not be exempt from mandated education and exam.
- Mandates that the penal system communicate with the notary system, to allow felony information to go directly to the commissioning authority, so a notary who is convicted of a felony has their commission automatically revoked.
- Changes the state-only background check to a country-wide background check.
- Introduces a Unique Identifier Number for each notarization, to be checked by the receiving party if needed, to verify the notary and notarization place, and date.
- Requests commissioning be moved to LARA, and Michigan Notary Association handle the day to day questions from notaries.
- Mandates that notary stamp makers require proof and verify a notary’s commission status.
- Mandates that only approved vendors can make/create notary stamps.
- Mandates that on the embosser, “Acting In the County Of____” is not required.
- Mandates only black ink can be used on notary stamps.
- Mandates that ink or shading is not to be used with embosser, mandates the purpose of the embosser.
- Mandates that when a notary is sworn in, they receive a copy of the notarized bond.
Upcoming Events
Past Events
February 2026 – Advancing Macomb.
February 2026 – New Haven High School.
September 2025 – St Clair County Library System.
June 2025 – Rotary Club.
February 2025 – Anchor Bay Chamber of Commerce.
January 2025-present – National Deed Fraud Prevention Roundtable Committee Member.
December 2024 – Michigan Association of County Clerks Conference.
November 2024 – Macomb Community College MORE Program.
May 2024 – Macomb Community College MORE Program.
May 2024 – Channel 4 News interview on Deed Fraud and Notary challenges.
April 2024 – Wayne County Register of Deeds.
April 2024 – Michigan Guardianship Association.
73 Meetings with Legislators to Raise Awareness of Outdated Notary Laws.