Iowa does not require a journal for traditional notarizations — but strongly recommends one. RON requires a mandatory electronic journal with 10-year retention. Iowa is one of the few states with no surety bond requirement. NotaryAct is state-configured for Iowa — RON fields fully enabled, best-practice journal available for all acts.
| ⚖️ Iowa Notary Journal Law — Quick Reference | |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | Iowa Code Chapter 9B (RULONA 2018) · Iowa Admin. Code 721 Ch. 43 |
| Traditional Journal | Not required · SOS strongly recommends as best practice |
| RON Electronic Journal | Mandatory — 10-year retention — SOS-approved platform required ✓ |
| RON A/V Recording | Required — retained per SOS rules ✓ |
| Thumbprint / Fingerprint | Not required · Not prohibited · Optional in NotaryAct IA configuration |
| Surety Bond | Not required — Iowa has no notary bond requirement ✓ |
| Commission Term | 3 years (Iowa residents) · 1 year (non-residents employed in Iowa) |
| Max Traditional Fee | $5 per notarial act |
| RON Authorized Since | July 1, 2020 (SF 475) · Separate RON application required · SOS-approved platform required |
| RON Training | Mandatory SOS-approved RON training course required before first RON act |
Iowa adopted RULONA 2018 via Senate File 475, effective July 1, 2020. Traditional notarizations have no journal mandate — the SOS Handbook includes a sample journal page and strongly recommends use, but compliance is voluntary for paper notarizations. RON requires a mandatory electronic journal under Iowa Code 9B.14A.
Iowa is one of only a handful of states that requires no surety bond. This makes Iowa one of the most accessible states for new notaries from a financial barrier standpoint. E&O insurance is not required but is recommended.
The Iowa SOS Handbook includes a sample journal entry page with these recommended fields. NotaryAct’s Iowa configuration enables all of them.
| 1 | Date and Time Auto-timestamped by NotaryAct at submission. |
| 2 | Type of Notarial Act Acknowledgment, jurat, oath, signature witnessing, copy certification, or protest. NotaryAct dropdown covers all Iowa-authorized act types. |
| 3 | Document Description Title or type of document. NotaryAct includes a dedicated field. |
| 4 | Signer’s Name and Address Auto-filled by NotaryAct’s barcode scanner from any Iowa driver’s license. |
| 5 | Identity Verification Method Personal knowledge, ID type and details, or credible witness. NotaryAct supports all three scenarios. From July 1, 2023: notaries who personally know the signer or use a personally-known witness are not required to use identity proofing technology for RON. |
| + | Signer’s Signature · Fee Charged Electronic signature capture and fee field included in NotaryAct’s Iowa configuration. |
✔ NotaryAct is state-configured for Iowa: All SOS-recommended fields enabled for traditional notarizations. RON journal fields fully enabled with 10-year retention. Fingerprint capture available as optional feature.
Other state guides: Illinois · Minnesota · Kansas · Missouri · All 50 States →
NotaryAct’s Iowa configuration gives you mandatory RON electronic journal compliance and a comprehensive best-practice journal for traditional acts — with no bond cost dragging on your business.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information reflects Iowa Code Chapter 9B and Iowa Administrative Code 721 Chapter 43 as in effect June 2026. Consult the Iowa Secretary of State Notary Division at sos.iowa.gov or qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
