Reimbursement of Government Employees for Cost of Surety Bonds Required of Notaries Public

An advance decision was requested concerning the use of appropriated funds to reimburse employees for the cost of obtaining surety bonds required by the state for notaries public and for incidental expenses necessary to perform notary services. Under 5 U.S.C. 5945, employees may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in obtaining notary commissions, including the expense of surety bonds, in spite of legislation barring agencies from obtaining or requiring surety bonds for employees. Employees may be reimbursed for incidental expenses necessary to perform notary services but not for professional association dues and other expenses not essential to performance of the services.