Washington Notary Public Requirements
Washington notaries are licensed by the Department of Licensing (DOL) — not the Secretary of State, unlike most states — and the process is unusually light: no exam, no mandatory training class, just a $10,000 bond, a $40 fee, and an oath. Here’s exactly what DOL requires, including the one quirk that trips people up: your commission length is tied to your bond term, not fixed at 4 years.
- Quick facts
- Eligibility
- Steps to get commissioned
- Renewal and the journal requirement
- FAQ
- Electronic and remote notarization
Quick facts
| Regulator | Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), Notary Public Program — administered by DOL, not the Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | At least 18, able to read and write English, and live in Washington or have a place of employment or practice in the state |
| Education/exam | None required. DOL’s own FAQ confirms no training class and no test are required, though a class is recommended |
| Bond | $10,000 surety bond, purchased from a licensed surety/insurance company (cost varies by provider, commonly cited around $35–$55 for a 4-year term) |
| Commission term | Up to 4 years — but the license expiration date is tied to your bond’s expiration date. A 4-year bond gives a 4-year license; a shorter bond term shortens the license accordingly |
| Application fee | $40, non-refundable |
| Renewal fee | $42 without an electronic-notarization endorsement, $57 with one |
| Electronic notarization endorsement | Optional add-on, $15 fee, required before you can apply for the separate remote (RON) endorsement |
| Journal | Mandatory physical, bound, numbered-page journal for every notarization, kept locked and secured, retained 10 years after the last entry recorded |
Eligibility
Washington’s eligibility bar is simple: you must be at least 18, able to read and write English, and either live in Washington or have a place of employment or practice in the state. There’s no citizenship requirement stated, no minimum education level, and — unlike many states — no exam or class to pass. DOL’s FAQ does note a conviction within the past 5 years of a felony or gross misdemeanor “relating to the practice of a notary” (their example: a theft conviction) could disqualify you, reviewed case by case; it isn’t an automatic bar for unrelated old convictions.
Steps to get commissioned
- Confirm you meet the eligibility requirements above.
- Purchase a $10,000 surety bond from any insurance or bonding company licensed to write surety in Washington — decide upfront whether you want a 4-year bond (for a full 4-year commission) or a shorter term.
- Complete and sign a notarized Oath of Office form.
- Submit your application online through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) for faster processing, or by mail with a copy of your signed bond and the $40 fee (don’t send an Errors and Omissions policy — it doesn’t substitute for the bond).
- Allow at least 30 days for processing — DOL doesn’t offer expedited service, and an incomplete application adds further delay.
- Order your stamp or seal after you’re commissioned, from your bonding company or any stamp vendor — a legitimate vendor will ask to see your notary license first, per DOL guidance.
Renewal and the journal requirement
Renew your bond before you renew your license — DOL requires a current surety bond with valid issue and expiration dates submitted with every renewal application. The renewal fee is $42 without an electronic-notarization endorsement or $57 with one. As with initial commissions, your renewed license term tracks whatever bond term you purchase, up to 4 years.
Every Washington notary must keep a physical journal of notarizations: a permanent, bound book with numbered pages, kept in a locked and secured area under your exclusive control, retained for 10 years after the last notarization recorded in it. An electronic journal is allowed only as a supplement to the physical one, never a replacement. Each entry needs the date and time, a description of the document or act, the signer’s full name, address, and signature, and a brief description of the ID method used. If you resign, or your commission is suspended or revoked, you must tell DOL where the journal is being kept.
Do I need to pass a test or take a class to become a notary in Washington?
No. DOL’s own FAQ states plainly that neither a training class nor a test is required in Washington — a genuine exception among states. DOL does recommend taking an optional class from a private education provider so you understand your legal duties, but it’s not a licensing requirement.
Why does my notary license say it’s only valid for 2 years instead of 4?
Because your license expiration date is set by your surety bond’s expiration date, not a fixed 4-year rule. DOL’s FAQ addresses this directly: if you purchase a 2-year bond instead of a 4-year one, your commission will only run 2 years. Buy a 4-year bond if you want the full 4-year commission term.
Does Washington require notaries to carry Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance?
No. The $10,000 surety bond is the only required financial-responsibility instrument, and DOL’s FAQ specifically warns that an E&O policy can’t be submitted in place of the bond. E&O insurance is optional and protects the notary personally; the bond exists to protect the public.
Electronic and remote notarization
Electronic notarization (notarizing electronic records with an electronic signature and seal) requires an additional endorsement on top of your base commission — apply for it alongside a new or renewing commission, or add it separately for a $15 fee. Once you hold an electronic endorsement, you can apply for a further remote (RON) endorsement by emailing DOL directly with the name of the remote-notarization software you’ll use; DOL’s published fee schedule doesn’t list a separate dollar fee specific to the remote endorsement beyond the $15 electronic-endorsement fee. You must wait for DOL’s written approval before performing any remote notarization — and after receiving an electronic endorsement, you have 30 days to report your software name before you’re allowed to notarize electronic records at all.