How to Become a Notary in Washington

Washington makes the commissioning process straightforward compared to states that require coursework or exams — but straightforward doesn't mean simple. The Department of Licensing (DOL) handles everything under Chapter 42.45 RCW, and there's a specific sequence you need to follow to avoid delays or outright rejection.

Confirm Your Eligibility

Before you touch the application, verify you meet the baseline qualifications under RCW 42.45.200:

• At least 18 years old
• Able to read and write English
• A Washington resident, or someone with a place of employment or practice within the state

One important change: as of July 1, 2024, Washington no longer requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency to hold a notary commission. House Bill 1889 repealed this requirement across multiple professional licenses. If you don't have a Social Security Number, you can leave that field blank on the application and use an ITIN instead.

Get Your $10,000 Surety Bond

This step comes before the application, not after. The DOL won't process your filing without a signed bond attached. The $10,000 surety bond protects the public from financial harm caused by notary errors or misconduct — it's not an insurance policy that protects you.

The premium for a standard four-year bond typically runs $30 to $60, depending on your credit history. You'll need to physically sign the bond document once it arrives from the surety company. Keep your copy — you'll upload it during the application.

Your commission term is locked to your bond's active dates. If the bond expires or gets cancelled, your commission automatically suspends.

Complete Your Oath of Office

Download Form NP-659-009 from the DOL portal, then bring the unsigned form to any currently commissioned Washington notary. That notary will confirm your identity, administer the oath, watch you sign, and complete the jurat certificate with their stamp.

The name you sign here must match exactly what you want on your commission. Initials, middle names, suffixes — any mismatch between your oath, bond, and application creates processing delays.

Submit the Application Through SAW

You have two submission options, but the online route through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) is significantly faster:

Online via SAW: Create an account at the DOL Professional and Business Licensing portal, upload your signed bond and notarized oath, and pay the $40 application fee by credit card or electronic check. Processing typically takes 10 to 14 business days.

By mail: Send your completed paper application, physical bond, notarized oath, and a check payable to "Department of Licensing" to: Notary Public Program, Department of Licensing, PO Box 3777, Seattle, WA 98124-3777. Mail processing takes roughly 30 calendar days.

If you also want the electronic records endorsement (required for IPEN and a prerequisite for remote online notarization), add $15 to your fee for a combined total of $55. The DOL can process both simultaneously.

Order Your Stamp and Journal After Approval

This sequence matters. Under WAC 308-30-080, stamp manufacturers are legally prohibited from producing your seal until you can show them a copy of your state-issued commission certificate. Ordering supplies before approval is a waste of time and money.

Your stamp must comply with WAC 308-30-070 specifications: circular (minimum 1-5/8 inches diameter) or rectangular (minimum 1 inch by 1-5/8 inches), printed in at least 8-point font with permanent, smear-resistant ink. It must display "Notary Public," "State of Washington," your commissioned name, commission number, and expiration date. The stamp must not include the Washington State Seal.

You also need a permanently bound physical journal with pre-numbered pages. Loose-leaf binders and spiral notebooks don't qualify. This journal stays under your exclusive personal control — locked in a secure location that only you access.

Choose Your Commission Path

Washington offers three tiers, each building on the previous:

Base Commission ($40): In-person notarizations on paper documents only. Covers most workplace and administrative needs.

Base + Electronic Endorsement ($55): Adds authority for in-person electronic notarizations (IPEN), where signers appear physically but sign digital documents. You must report your chosen electronic software provider to the DOL within 30 days of receiving this endorsement.

Base + Electronic + Remote Online Notary ($55): Adds full RON capability via audio-video technology. The remote endorsement carries no additional state fee, but you must already hold the electronic endorsement. Apply by emailing [email protected] with the subject line "Remote Online Notary Endorsement Application" and your commissioned name, license number, the date you applied for the electronic endorsement, and chosen RON platform.

What Happens After Commissioning

Once you have your certificate, stamp, and journal, you can start performing notarial acts. Your commission is valid for up to four years, tied to your bond term. Standard fees are capped at $15 per act for in-person notarizations and $25 for remote online transactions.

If you plan to operate as an independent or mobile notary rather than notarizing for an employer, you'll need additional business registrations — a state Unified Business Identifier (UBI) through the Department of Revenue and potentially local city business licenses.

The full process, from application to first notarization, typically takes two to four weeks when done online. The main delays come from sequence errors: ordering stamps before approval, submitting mismatched names across documents, or forgetting the oath of office entirely.

Get the complete Washington notary commission guide for a step-by-step walkthrough of every filing, deadline, and compliance requirement — including the SAW portal process, electronic and RON endorsement pathways, and business licensing setup.

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