Vermont journal is optional for traditional acts but mandatory for all electronic and remote notarizations. RON, IPEN, and RIN require a Special Commission Endorsement from OPR ($30 extra). New admin rules effective February 26, 2025. A/V recording retained 10 years. 2-year commission. Stamp is optional. Law enforcement fully exempt. NotaryAct is state-configured for Vermont.
📋 New Vermont Admin Rules — February 26, 2025: New administrative rules governing IPEN, RON, and RIN took effect on February 26, 2025. These rules affect all notaries including those with traditional commissions and detail requirements for the Special Commission Endorsement. Download the current rules from sos.vermont.gov/notaries-public/statutes-rules-resources/.
| ⚖️ Vermont Notary Journal Law — Quick Reference | |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | 26 V.S.A. Chapter 103 (Uniform Law on Notarial Acts) · OPR Admin. Rules (eff. Feb. 26, 2025) |
| Traditional Journal | Optional · OPR recommends as best practice |
| Electronic + Remote Journal | Mandatory for all IPEN, RON, and RIN notarizations ✓ |
| RON / IPEN / RIN Authorization | Special Commission Endorsement from OPR required — $30 additional fee ✓ |
| New Admin Rules | Effective February 26, 2025 — governs IPEN, RON, RIN endorsement procedures ✓ |
| RON/RIN A/V Recording | Mandatory — notary retains for at least 10 years ✓ |
| RIN Process | Signer signs paper on camera, mails original within 3 days with declaration. Notary attaches certificate stating remote witnessing. |
| Stamp | OPTIONAL — notary may print/type name and commission number instead (§ 5367(b)(1)) ✓ |
| Law Enforcement Exemption | Law enforcement employees fully exempt from all Chapter 103 requirements when acting within official duties (§ 5305) ✓ |
| Thumbprint / Fingerprint | Not required · Not prohibited · Optional in NotaryAct VT configuration |
| Renewals with Endorsement | CE on IPEN/RON/RIN required at renewal for those holding the Special Commission Endorsement |
| Commission Term | 2 years · Expiring January 31 of odd-numbered years · $30 initial commission fee |
| Oversight Body | OPR (Office of Professional Regulation) within the Secretary of State’s Office |
Vermont’s notary law under 26 V.S.A. Chapter 103 creates a two-track journal system: traditional in-person notarizations have an optional journal, while electronic and remote notarizations require one. This aligns with the general RULONA framework but Vermont layers on a distinctive requirement: a Special Commission Endorsement must be obtained before any IPEN, RON, or RIN notarization — even after the journal requirement kicks in.
The stamp-optional rule is genuinely unusual. Under § 5367(b)(1), a notary may satisfy the stamp requirement by clearly printing or typing their name and commission number on the certificate instead. Vermont is one of very few states where the rubber stamp or embosser is truly optional rather than mandatory.
The law enforcement exemption is total: employees acting within the scope of official law enforcement duties are exempt from all of Chapter 103 — no commission, no seal, no journal. This is a rare complete carve-out, not just a reduced-requirements exemption. Such employees who wish to notarize outside their official duties must apply for a standard commission.
| 1 | Date and time — Auto-timestamped by NotaryAct at submission. |
| 2 | Type of notarial act — Acknowledgment, verification on oath, signature witnessing, copy certification. NotaryAct dropdown for all Vermont-authorized act types. |
| 3 | Document description — Dedicated field in NotaryAct. |
| 4 | Full name and address of each individual — Auto-filled via barcode scanner from any Vermont driver’s license. |
| 5 | Identity verification — Personal knowledge statement, credible witness details, or credential analysis/KBA for remote. NotaryAct supports all methods. |
| 6 | Fee charged — Vermont does not set a statutory fee cap for most acts. Fee field in every NotaryAct entry. |
✔ NotaryAct is state-configured for Vermont: Mandatory electronic and remote journal fields enabled. Optional best-practice journal for traditional acts. A/V session documentation for 10-year retention. Configured to align with February 26, 2025 admin rule framework.
Other state guides: New Hampshire · Maine · Massachusetts · Connecticut · All 50 States →
NotaryAct is state-configured for Vermont — mandatory electronic journal for all IPEN, RON, and RIN notarizations, aligned with the February 26, 2025 admin rules, with optional best-practice journal for traditional acts and 10-year A/V retention support.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information reflects Vermont Statutes Title 26, Chapter 103 and OPR Administrative Rules (including rules effective February 26, 2025) as in effect June 2026. Consult the Vermont Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation at sos.vermont.gov/opr/ or qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
