According to the Missouri Secretary of State,

To qualify for a notary commission as a Missouri resident, an applicant must meet certain legal qualifications:

1. Be at least eighteen years of age;
2. Reside or have a regular place of work or business in the state of Missouri;
3. Reside legally in the United States
4. Be able to read and write the English language; and
5. Not have had his commission revoked during the past five years
6. Not been found guilty, or entered a pleas of guilty or nolo contendere, in a criminal prosecution under the laws of any state or of the United States, of any felony or any offense involving dishonesty or moral turpitude during the past five years

A non-resident of Missouri may apply for a commission as a notary public. A non-resident must also meet certain legal requirements in order to qualify:

1. Be at least eighteen years of age;
2. Work in Missouri and will use the notary seal in the course of his employment in Missouri;
3. Have a work address in the county within and for which applying to be commissioned;
4. Be able to read and write the English language;
5. Not have had a commission revoked in any state during the past five years
6. Not been found guilty, or entered a pleas of guilty or nolo contendere, in a criminal prosecution under the laws of any state or of the United States, of any felony or any offense involving dishonesty or moral turpitude during the past five years; and
7. Authorizes the Secretary of State as the agent and representative of such person to accept service of any process or service of any notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon such person.

Any person is eligible to apply for a commission as a notary public if they are a permanent resident alien under Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If the applicant qualifies under Section 245, they must send a copy of their “green card” with a completed application to our office.

If the notary is presently commissioned as a non-resident notary public and they move into Missouri, the notary may immediately be appointed and commissioned as a notary upon becoming a resident. The notary will need to return their nonresident notary certificate with a request to cancel that commission, along with a completed reapplication as a resident and the $25 fee for issuing another commission.