How to become a notary public in Washington

Washington notary public licenses

Washington issues 3 notary public credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Washington notary public licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 3)

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old⁴

Exam

Not required⁵

Background check

Background check required²
No automatic bar. DOL may deny a commission for a conviction of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit, or for related findings in other proceedings. DOL says a felony or gross misdemeanor related to notary work in the past 5 years could disqualify you, and it judges each case individually. The application asks about convictions, no-contest pleas and license actions in the past 5 years.⁵

Residency or citizenship

Must live in Washington or have a place of employment or practice in Washington. Non-residents give the Washington address of their workplace on the application. No U.S. citizenship requirement is stated.²

Social Security number

Give your SSN or ITIN if you have one (required by federal and state child-support law). You can still be licensed without one.²

Surety bond

$10,000⁵ (Every commission and renewal; the commission ends when the bond expires)

Also required

Keep a permanent bound paper journal with numbered pages for every notarial act (an electronic journal may be kept only in addition). Keep it for 10 years after the last entry.⁴

Fees

What a notary public may charge the public:

• A notary may charge up to $15 per notarial act (witnessing or attesting a signature, acknowledgment, verification on oath, copy certification, oath, event certification) and up to $25 per remote act. Fees are optional; agreed travel fees and copying costs may be added.⁶

How to apply

Apply online

professions.dol.wa.gov²¹

Renewal

How often

Every 4 years⁴

Renew online

dol.wa.gov⁸

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: DOL's general provisions for all professions apply: military training may count toward requirements, a temporary license may be available for those moving with a license from another state, and U.S. veterans may get partial fee reimbursement. The notary application asks whether you are a current or former military member or spouse/domestic partner.¹

2. Every license level except Remote notary endorsement

How to apply

Application form

dol.wa.gov²⁹

3. Every license level except Notary Public

Renewal

When it expires

The endorsement is valid as long as the notary commission is valid; renew it with the commission.⁶

If it expires

If the commission expires, it cannot be renewed; apply for a new commission and endorsement.⁸

Who needs a Notary Public license

Performs notarial acts: acknowledgments, verifications on oath or affirmation, witnessing or attesting signatures, certifying copies, administering oaths, and certifying that an event has occurred. The notary must be physically in Washington when acting. A non-attorney notary may not help others draft or choose documents.⁶

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Washington issues one commission with two optional endorsements: electronic records notary, and remote notary (which requires the electronic endorsement).⁶

Requirements for a Notary Public license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Insurance

An errors and omissions policy is optional and does not replace the required surety bond.⁵

Also required

Must be able to read and write English (an eligibility question on the application; answering "No" ends the application and the fee is not refunded).²

Also required

Sign a notarized oath of office (DOL form) and submit it with the application.⁴

Also required

An official stamp or seal is required, showing "notary public", "state of Washington", the commissioned name and the commission expiry date, in the size and form set by WAC 308-30-070. A vendor may not make the stamp until DOL has issued the commission.⁴

How much a Notary Public license costs

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

How to apply

1. Check eligibility: 18 or older, able to read and write English, and living in Washington or working or practicing there.¹
2. Buy a 4-year, $10,000 surety bond from a company licensed for surety in Washington (an E&O policy does not count).⁵
3. Sign the Oath of Office in front of a notary public, who notarizes it.² dol.wa.gov¹⁰
4. Apply online through SecureAccess Washington (faster), or by mail with the Commission Application, a copy of the signed bond and a $40 check or money order payable to the Department of Licensing. Add the electronic endorsement now for $15 more if you want it.¹ dol.wa.gov²
5. Allow at least 30 days (no expedited service). An incomplete application is held for 30 days to fix, then canceled and the fee is forfeited.⁵
6. After the commission is issued, order a stamp (the vendor must see your license) and start a bound journal. Do not notarize before the commission is issued.¹

Processing time

At least 30 days; no expedited service.⁵

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

The commission runs up to 4 years and ends when the surety bond expires (a 2-year bond gives a 2-year commission). Renew up to 120 days before expiry. After expiry you cannot renew and must apply as new.⁶

Renewal fee

$42⁶ (Renewal of commission only)

If it expires

An expired commission cannot be renewed; apply for a new one.⁸
Renew the bond first and send a copy with the renewal.⁵

Electronic records notary public endorsement

Performs notarial acts on electronic records with electronic signatures and an electronic stamp, with the signer physically present (e.g. signing on a digital pad). It does not by itself allow remote notarization.⁷

Requirements

Experience

Must hold (or apply at the same time for) the prerequisite commission or endorsement.⁶
License you must hold first: Wa-notary-public-commission⁶

Also required

Use a tamper-evident technology from a provider; the electronic stamp must meet RCW 42.45.150 and WAC 308-30-070.⁶

Fees

How to apply

1. Hold a Washington notary commission, or apply for one at the same time (combined new fee $55).⁶
2. Add the endorsement online through SAW, or mail the Electronic Notarization Endorsement Application with $15.¹ dol.wa.gov⁹
3. Enrol with a tamper-evident technology provider, and tell DOL the software name within 30 days. You cannot notarize electronically until DOL has it.¹

Renewal

Renewal fee

$15⁶ (Renewed with the commission; DOL shows a combined $57 ($42 + $15))

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Remote notary endorsement

Performs notarial acts by live audio-video for individuals in other locations, including people outside Washington, while the notary is in Washington. Maximum fee $25 per remote act.⁷

Requirements

Experience

Must hold (or apply at the same time for) the prerequisite commission or endorsement.⁷
License you must hold first: Wa-notary-public-electronic-records⁷

Also required

Use communication technology with live, synchronous audio-video, plus identity proofing that meets WAC 308-30-300 and -310. Record each remote act and keep the recording at least 10 years. Note remote acts in the paper journal.⁶

How to apply

1. Hold the electronic records endorsement (or apply for the commission, electronic and remote endorsements together).⁷
2. Email [email protected] (or write to PO Box 3917) to request the remote endorsement, naming your remote notarization software.¹
3. Wait for DOL approval before notarizing remotely.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Notary PublicNo local license: apply only to the Department of Licensing.¹

Electronic records notary public endorsementNo local license: apply to the Department of Licensing.¹

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a notary public in Washington, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Washington is on the Washington license lookup page.

Look up a license

dol.wa.gov⁴

File a complaint

dol.wa.gov¹¹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• RCW 42.45.200 (qualifications, oath, surety bond, 4-year term, electronic records notary)
• RCW 42.45.210 (grounds to deny, revoke, suspend)
• RCW 42.45.150 (official stamp)
• RCW 42.45.180 (journal, 10-year retention)
• WAC 308-30-030, -040, -050 (application, approval, term)
• WAC 308-30-060
• WAC 308-30-220
• RCW 18.235 (Uniform Regulation of Business and Professions)
• RCW 42.45.200(7) (electronic records notary public)
• WAC 308-30-030(3)-(5), -050(2), -120, -130 (electronic endorsement, technology providers)
• RCW 42.45.280 (remote notarial acts; version effective January 1, 2027 under 2026 c 21)
• WAC 308-30-030(6)-(7), -290 to -320 (remote endorsement and standards)
• WAC 308-30-220(6)

Rule changes since January 2024

• January 1, 2027: 2026 c 21 (RCW 42.45.280, effective January 1, 2027): remote notaries may also notarize tangible (paper) records for remotely located signers, using a signed declaration returned within 3 days, and may administer oaths remotely.⁴
• June 22, 2024: Maximum fees for notarial acts raised to $15 per act and $25 per remote act (WSR 24-11-162).⁶

Common questions

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