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Qualifications: “An applicant for a commission as a notary public must:
“(a) Be at least eighteen years of age;
“(b) Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States;
“(c) Be a resident of or have a place of employment or practice in this state;
“(d) Be able to read and write English; and
“(e) Not be disqualified to receive a commission under RCW 42.45.210” (RCW 42.45.200[2]).Course: Not required.
Exam: Not required.
Application: An applicant for a Notary Public commission may apply for a new or renewal commission online at SecureAccess Washington (SAW), or by mail. An application form is available for download from the Department of Licensing’s website.
(1) “The application [for appointment as a Notary] shall include:
“(a) Evidence of a ten thousand dollar surety bond, signed by the notary public, that conforms to RCW 42.45.200(4);
“(b) Payment of the prescribed fee; and
“(c) A signed and notarized oath of office.
“(2) As part of a notary public commission application, an applicant shall provide both their legal name and their commission name. The applicant’s commission name must contain their surname, and at least the initials of the applicant’s first and middle name” (WAC 308-30-030[1] and [2]).
The application includes an oath of office (Section D), which an applicant must sign and swear or affirm in the presence of a current Notary Public.Application Fee: Effective November 22, 2022, The the fee for applying for or renewing a Notary appointment is $40; the application fee for a renewal commission is $42. (WAC 308-30-060). Forms of payment accepted online include Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit or debit card, or by entering bank account information.
The fee for applying for or renewing a Notary appointment is $30 (WAC 308-30-060). Forms of payment accepted online include Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit or debit card, or by entering bank account information.
Upon receipt of the certificate of commissioning, the applicant must purchase a Notary official stamp. The seal or stamp may not be purchased until the certificate is received, as the commissioning certificate must be presented to the vendor (WAC 308-30-080[1]).
“If the department receives an incomplete or invalid application, the department shall hold the application for thirty calendar days to allow the applicant to cure any defects. After the thirty day period, the application shall be canceled and any application fees forfeited” (WAC 308-30-040[2]).
“An applicant may not perform any notarial acts on a tangible record before receiving a notary public commission … from the department” (WAC 308-30-040[3]).Background Screening: Not required.
Nonresidents: Nonresidents of Washington may become Notaries in the state if they have a place of employment or practice in Washington (RCW 42.45.200[2][c]).
Reappointment: “A notary public shall reapply with the department for each commission term before performing notarial acts” (WAC 308-30-030[6]).
No Immunity or Benefit: “A commission to act as a notary public authorizes the notary public to perform notarial acts. The commission does not provide the notary public any immunity or benefit conferred by law of this state on public officials or employees” (RCW 42.45.200[6]).
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