Alternatives to the NNA for Washington Notary Commissioning

The National Notary Association is the most visible name in notary supplies and training, but their bundled packages aren't the only way — or the cheapest way — to get commissioned in Washington. If you're looking for alternatives, the main options are an independent commissioning guide (like the Commission Sequence Navigator at $19), the DOL's free website plus supplies bought separately, or a bond broker's package that bundles the surety bond with a starter kit. Each has a clear use case, and the right choice depends on whether you need process guidance, physical supplies, or both.

Why People Look for NNA Alternatives

The NNA's Washington notary packages start above $180 and typically bundle three things: a pre-configured stamp, a bound journal, and an errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance policy. The membership fee is included, which gets you access to their hotline and reference materials.

The issue for Washington applicants specifically is that the bundle includes components you may not need:

• E&O insurance: Washington requires a $10,000 surety bond but does not require E&O insurance. Office workers notarizing for their employer are typically covered by the company's general liability. Only independent mobile notaries contracting with title companies routinely need E&O — and they can buy it separately, often at better rates.
• National-scope content: The NNA's instructional materials cover notary law across all 50 states. Washington-specific details — the SAW portal quirks, the filing sequence dependencies, the electronic endorsement notification deadline — get generic treatment at best.
• Stamp and journal at NNA pricing: A compliant Washington notary stamp costs $15–30 from online vendors. A bound journal with numbered pages runs $10–20. Buying separately saves $30–60 compared to the NNA's branded versions.

None of this makes the NNA a bad organization — their hotline alone is valuable for active notaries. But if you need commissioning help specifically for Washington, the bundle may be more than you need at more than you want to pay.

Alternative 1: Independent Commissioning Guide

Cost: $19
Best for: First-time applicants who need the process in the right order

An independent guide like the Commission Sequence Navigator focuses entirely on the commissioning process rather than selling supplies or insurance. It covers:

• The exact filing sequence (bond → notarized oath → application → approval → then stamp and journal)
• SecureAccess Washington (SAW) portal navigation, including workarounds for the payment glitches and browser issues that catch most first-timers
• All three endorsement tracks (traditional, electronic, remote) compared side-by-side
• Business licensing steps for mobile notaries (UBI, B&O tax, city endorsements) — entirely outside the DOL's scope
• Six printable worksheets: application checklist, stamp compliance verifier, fee calculator, business licensing decision tree, commission maintenance timeline, and agency communication log

The tradeoff is that you still buy your own supplies separately. But that's actually an advantage — you choose your own vendor, pay market rates, and skip any supplies you don't need.

Alternative 2: DOL Website + Supplies Bought Separately

Cost: Free (plus $55–110 for the bond and supplies)
Best for: Renewal applicants or anyone comfortable reading regulatory language

Everything you need to get commissioned is technically available for free through the DOL's website, the WAC, and the RCW. You buy a stamp from any online vendor ($15–30), a bound journal from Amazon or a notary supply store ($10–20), and a $10,000 surety bond from any licensed bond provider ($30–60 for a standard four-year term).

The drawback is time. The DOL organizes information by regulatory category, not by applicant workflow. You'll spend 3–6 hours across multiple sessions figuring out the filing sequence, troubleshooting the SAW portal, and cross-referencing statutory citations. For renewal applicants who've done this before, that time investment is minimal. For first-timers, it's significant.

Alternative 3: Bond Broker Starter Packages

Cost: $50–150
Best for: People who want the bond and basic supplies in one transaction

Several surety bond providers (Surety Solutions, Surety Bonds Direct, and others) offer Washington notary starter kits that bundle the $10,000 bond with a stamp and journal. These packages are typically cheaper than the NNA because they don't include E&O insurance or a membership fee.

The catch: bond brokers publish "free guides" that look helpful until you realize they're designed to push you toward E&O insurance, multi-year bond packages, and stamp upgrades you don't need. The process information is accurate but filtered through a sales lens — the broker benefits when you buy more from them.

If you can separate the sales pitch from the genuine information, bond broker packages can be a reasonable middle ground between the NNA's full bundle and the DIY approach.

Alternative 4: Employer-Provided Process Documentation

Cost: Free
Best for: Office workers at large organizations with compliance teams

Some larger employers — banks, law firms, title companies, medical systems — maintain internal notary commissioning procedures. If your employer has a compliance or legal department, ask whether they have a checklist or process document for new notary commissions. They may also have a preferred bond provider and supply vendor.

This option is hit-or-miss. Small employers almost never have this documentation. Large employers sometimes do, but it may be outdated or specific to a different state. And even when internal documentation exists, it rarely covers the SAW portal navigation or the endorsement tracks.

Comparison Table

Who This Is For

• First-time Washington notary applicants looking for a lower-cost alternative to the NNA that still provides process guidance
• Office professionals who don't need E&O insurance and don't want to pay for it in a bundle
• Budget-conscious applicants who want to buy supplies at market rates rather than bundled pricing
• Anyone frustrated by the NNA's national-scope content when they need Washington-specific instructions

Who This Is NOT For

• Active notaries who value the NNA membership for its hotline, continuing education, and professional network — the membership has genuine value beyond the initial commission
• Applicants in states that require NNA-approved training (Washington doesn't, but some states do)
• Anyone who wants everything in one box and doesn't mind paying the premium for convenience

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be an NNA member to become a notary in Washington?

No. NNA membership is entirely optional. Washington's commissioning requirements are set by the DOL: a $40 application fee, a $10,000 surety bond, a notarized oath of office, and a background check. No organization membership is required.

Can I buy a notary stamp from any vendor, or does it have to be NNA?

Any vendor. Washington law specifies the stamp's required elements (notary name, commission number, expiration date, "State of Washington") and format (circular with a minimum 1-5/8-inch diameter, or rectangular with minimum dimensions of 1 inch x 1-5/8 inches), but doesn't mandate a specific supplier. Online notary supply stores, Amazon, and local office supply retailers all sell compliant stamps.

Is the NNA hotline worth the membership fee?

It depends on how often you'll encounter edge cases. If you notarize daily and regularly face unusual situations — foreign-language documents, signers with cognitive limitations, power of attorney questions — the hotline can save you from costly mistakes. If you notarize occasionally in a routine office setting, you're unlikely to use it enough to justify the annual fee.

What's the cheapest way to get a Washington notary commission?

The absolute minimum cost is the $40 DOL application fee plus a $10,000 surety bond ($30–60 for a standard four-year term) plus a compliant stamp ($15–30) and journal ($10–20). That's roughly $95–150 total, using only the free DOL website for process guidance. Adding an independent guide at $19 keeps the total under $170 while eliminating the time cost of assembling the process yourself.

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