How to Become a Notary Public in Washington

Requirements

You must be:

• At least 18 years of age
• Able to read and write English
• A citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States
• Live in Washington State, or have a place of employment or practice in Washington

How to apply

1. Get a $10,000 surety bond. Also, make sure the surety bond:
   • Covers your 4-year notary public term.
   • Shows your name and it matches your name and signature on the application.
   • Is separate from Errors and Omissions Insurance. The state only needs proof of the surety bond.
2. Complete a Notary Public Commission Application.
3. Send all of the following:
   • Completed, signed application.
   • Copy of your surety bond. (Don't send us your Errors and Omissions policy.)
   • A check or money order payable to the 'Department of Licensing' for:
     • $30 - not applying for an endorsement
     • $45 - applying for an electronic notary endorsement

Allow 30 days to process your application.

How to apply for an electronic notary endorsement

You must:

• • Apply for or already have a notary public commission.
  • Request an electronic notary endorsement. It'll expire the same date as your commission. You can:
    • Apply for the endorsement when you apply for a notary public commission (by mail only)

or

• Add the endorsement to an existing notary public commission (online or by mail).
• Provide the name of the technology provider you'll be using within 30 days of getting the endorsement. You can't perform any electronic notarizations until you've provided this information, either online or by email:  notaries@dol.wa.gov.

How to apply for the endorsement

• Online - To add to an existing commission:
  1. Login to your account
  2. Select Add in the Endorsement section from your dashboard
  3. Go through the screens to pay for the endorsement
• By mail
  When you apply for a Notary Public commission, complete the entire Notary Public Commission Application.
  
  
  To add to an existing commission, complete a  Notary Public Electronic Notarization Endorsement Application and payment and mail to the address shown on the application.

After you receive your commission

Get your stamp or seal

• By law, the vendor must see a copy of your notary license before making your stamp or seal.
• The notary stamp must include commission number, meet the size and content requirements:
  • RCW 42.45.150: Official stamp and
  • WAC 308-30-070: Size and form of notary seal or stamp
• For electronic notarization endorsement, within 30 days supply the name of the technology provider you'll use.
• Keep a journal of all notarizations
  The journal must be:
  • A permanent, bound book with numbered pages. An electronic journal can be kept in addition to the physical journal, but can't replace it.
  • Kept in a locked and secured area under your exclusive control.
  • Kept for 10 years after the last notarization recorded in the journal.
• If you resign your commission, or if you're suspended or revoked, you must tell the state where the journal is located.
• Read the current and upcoming notary public laws and rules.
• Take a notary education class. Optional classes are available to new notaries and update current notaries on changes in laws and rules.
• Join the LISTSERV^® to get email updates.

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