What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a state official that has been commissioned by the state government to perform certain acts in legal matters with statewide jurisdiction. A notary’s authority varies by state, but most commonly they serve as an impartial witness to authenticate signatures on documents. This is done to deter fraudulent acts.
Tennessee Notary Public and Bond
Tennessee law requires that all Notary Publics purchase and maintain a $10,000 notary bond for the duration of their 4-year commission.
What is a Notary Bond?
A Notary bond is a type of surety bond that give limited protection to another party against financial loss due to a mistake, omission, or wrongful act by a notary public. It is important to understand that a Notary Bond is not insurance. The bond does not protect the notary.
Where do I get a Notary Bond in Tennessee?
A notary bond is purchased from a Surety Bond company through a bonding agent. Although a bond is not insurance, many surety bond companies are also insurance companies.
Our team at McKinney Green specializes in Notary Bonds. We can help you secure your bond quickly!
What is Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance?
Notary Errors and Omissions (E&O) is a type of Professional Liability insurance for Notary Publics. It is the only option to protect the notary’s personal assets.
Regardless of fault, a surety bond company will require the notary to reimburse any loss or defense cost paid. An E&O insurance policy is purchased by the notary to pay this cost and additional expense to settle a claim up to the policy limits.
It is important to understand that a notary is personally responsible for their acts and the notary bond only protects the other party – not the notary. The notary is not protected by business insurance or personal homeowner’s insurance.
Is a Notary Bond the Same as E&O Insurance?
No. A Notary Bond and Notary Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance serve two completely different purposes.
A notary bond is required by the state and is designed to protect the public by guaranteeing compensation if a notary’s mistake causes financial harm. If the bond pays a claim, the surety company will seek reimbursement from the notary personally.
In contrast, E&O Insurance protects you, the notary, by covering legal defense costs, settlements, and other financial expenses arising from honest mistakes, omissions, or allegations of negligence.
Because the bond does not protect your personal assets, carrying both a bond and E&O coverage is strongly recommended for complete protection.
How much does a Notary Bond cost?
Notary bonds are very affordable, especially since they cover your entire four-year commission term rather than being an annual expense. In Tennessee, the required $10,000 Notary Bond typically starts at around $25 for all four years.
Some providers advertise a $10,000 bond paired with $10,000 of E&O coverage for about $50 total, which may look appealing at first glance. However, those bare-minimum limits often provide very little real protection. Even when a notary has done nothing wrong, the average cost to hire an attorney and defend a claim can easily reach $25,000 to $30,000 or more. A $10,000 policy would be exhausted quickly, leaving you to pay the rest out of pocket.
For that reason, we intentionally do not recommend or offer minimum-limit E&O options. Instead, most of our clients choose stronger protection, such as a $10,000 bond combined with $50,000 of E&O coverage, typically around $150 for the full four-year term, which provides far more meaningful financial protection. Higher limits — including $100,000 or more — are also available for a small additional premium, making it easy to tailor coverage to the size and value of the documents you notarize.
Optional supplies like a notary stamp (about $27) and a journal or ledger (about $5) can also be added at the time of purchase. Because everything lasts the full four years, this is a one-time cost per commission, not an annual expense.
How much E&O insurance should I buy?
Coverage depends on the value of the transactions you notarize.
If you handle:
• Real estate closings
• Mortgage documents
• Legal or financial agreements
You may want higher limits.
Common limits:
• $10,000 (minimum)
• $25,000
• $50,000
• $100,000+
Many law firms and businesses purchase blanket policies ($100,000–$250,000) to cover multiple notaries more efficiently.
What happens if someone makes a claim against my Notary Bond?
If a claim is filed:
The surety investigates
You provide your journal and documentation
If valid, the surety pays the claimant
You must reimburse the surety
Without E&O insurance, you pay these costs personally, including:
• Attorney fees
• Court costs
• Settlements
This is why professional notaries carry both a bond and E&O coverage.
Get Your Tennessee Notary Bond Today
At Oak Hill Risk Advisors, we specialize in helping Tennessee Notaries stay compliant and protected.
We offer:
• Instant bond issuance
• Competitive pricing
• E&O coverage options
• Bulk/firm solutions
• Personalized support
Start your Notary Bond now
Contact us today for a quick quote or same-day service.