South Dakota does not require a journal — but the SOS strongly recommends one. Two major 2025 laws changed the landscape: $5,000 bond eliminated July 1, 2025 (HB 1133), and $10 fee cap removed (HB 1192). RON authorized July 1, 2024 with 10-year A/V retention. 6-year commission. No exam. NotaryAct is configured for South Dakota with full best-practice journal and RON documentation.
✅ 2025 Legislative Updates — In Effect Now: South Dakota made two significant notary law changes in 2025: (1) HB 1133 — the $5,000 surety bond requirement was eliminated for all new and renewing notaries on or after July 1, 2025. (2) HB 1192 — the $10 maximum fee cap per notarial act was removed; notaries may now charge reasonable fees.
| ⚖️ South Dakota Notary Journal Law — Quick Reference | |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | SDCL Title 18, Chapter 1 · § 18-1-11.2 et seq. (RON, eff. July 1, 2024) · SD Notary Handbook (July 2025) |
| Journal Required? | Not required — SOS strongly recommends for liability protection |
| Surety Bond | Eliminated — HB 1133, effective July 1, 2025 ✓ |
| Fee Cap | Removed — HB 1192, 2025; notaries may charge reasonable fees ✓ |
| RON Authorized | Yes — since July 1, 2024 (SB 211); applies to electronic documents ✓ |
| RON Identity Proofing | Two different methods required (e.g., credential analysis + KBA) |
| RON A/V Recording | Mandatory — retained 10 years ✓ |
| RON Certificate Requirements | Must state: remote act, video communication technology used, electronic system used, signer’s location |
| RIN (Remote Ink) | Also authorized (§ 18-1-11.1) — paper documents, separate from full RON |
| Thumbprint / Fingerprint | Not required · Not prohibited · Optional in NotaryAct SD configuration |
| Commission Display | Commission certificate REQUIRED to be displayed in a public spot for every notarization ✓ |
| Commission Term | 6 years · $30 application fee · No exam required |
| Residency | SD resident OR bordering county resident with physical SD business address |
South Dakota made two significant changes to notary law in 2025, both effective July 1, 2025:
Bond eliminated (HB 1133). The $5,000 surety bond requirement was removed for all new applications and renewals submitted on or after July 1, 2025. Notaries commissioned before that date continue under the old requirement until their next renewal cycle. Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson described this as removing “a barrier that often caused confusion or delay.” E&O insurance remains available optionally.
Fee cap removed (HB 1192). The $10 maximum fee per notarial act was repealed. Notaries may now charge reasonable fees without the former statutory ceiling. This aligns South Dakota with the majority of states that allow market-rate notary fees.
Combined with RON authorization in July 2024, South Dakota has rapidly modernized its notary framework. The SOS Handbook was updated in July 2025 to reflect all these changes.
Under SDCL § 18-1-11.2 et seq. (SB 211, eff. July 1, 2024), South Dakota RON requires:
| 1 | Two-method identity proofing — personal knowledge plus a second verification method, or two independent proofing methods. Typically credential analysis + KBA. |
| 2 | Tamper-evident electronic system — SOS may establish standards or approve RON providers. |
| 3 | A/V recording — mandatory, created and retained for 10 years by notary or platform. |
| 4 | Certificate wording — must state the act was performed remotely, identify the video communication technology and electronic system used, and include the signer’s location. |
The SOS recommends keeping a journal for liability protection even though it’s not required. NotaryAct’s South Dakota configuration enables all best-practice fields.
| 1 | Date and time — Auto-timestamped by NotaryAct. |
| 2 | Type of notarial act — Acknowledgment, jurat, signature witnessing. NotaryAct covers all SD-authorized types. |
| 3 | Document description — Dedicated field in NotaryAct. |
| 4 | Signer name and address — Auto-filled via barcode scanner from any South Dakota driver’s license. |
| 5 | Identity verification — ID type, details, and method. For RON: two methods noted. NotaryAct supports all scenarios. |
| + | Fee charged — No longer capped. Fee field in every NotaryAct entry. |
✔ NotaryAct is configured for South Dakota: Complete best-practice journal reflecting the updated 2025 framework — no bond required, no fee cap. Full RON electronic journal and A/V session documentation with 10-year retention. Fingerprint capture available as optional feature.
Other state guides: North Dakota · Minnesota · Nebraska · Iowa · All 50 States →
No bond, no fee cap, RON authorized — South Dakota’s notary landscape changed significantly in 2025. NotaryAct’s South Dakota configuration reflects every update with a best-practice journal, full RON documentation, and 10-year A/V session retention.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information reflects South Dakota Codified Laws Title 18, Chapter 1, including changes from the 2025 legislative session (HB 1133 eff. July 1, 2025; HB 1192; SB 211 RON eff. July 1, 2024) and the SD Notary Public Handbook (July 2025). Consult the South Dakota Secretary of State at sdsos.gov or qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
