Washington Mobile Notary

Working as a mobile notary in Washington means traveling to clients instead of notarizing behind a desk. The state doesn't issue a separate mobile notary license — you use the same commission as any other Washington notary public — but operating as a mobile service introduces business licensing, insurance, and fee-disclosure requirements that office notaries never deal with.

Travel Fees Are Negotiable

Under WAC 308-30-220(5), travel fees charged by mobile notaries are not capped by the state. The $15 maximum fee applies only to the notarial act itself. Your travel charge is a separate business expense that you and the client agree on before you make the trip.

The key legal requirement: you must explicitly tell the client that the travel fee is a separate charge and is not mandated by state law. Don't bury this in fine print. Disclose it clearly before you confirm the appointment. If a client has not agreed to the travel fee in advance, do not charge it.

Business Registration Requirements

This is where most new mobile notaries get tripped up. A state notary commission is a personal license — it doesn't by itself authorize you to operate a commercial business. For an independent sole proprietorship, LLC, or partnership, Department of Revenue registration is required if you expect $12,000 or more in gross annual income or operate under a trade name (DBA):

State business license and UBI. Register with the Washington Department of Revenue to get a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number. This establishes your tax account for Business and Occupation (B&O) taxes on gross receipts. The filing fee is $90 for a state business license application.

Local city business licenses. Many Washington cities require separate business licenses for any commercial activity within their boundaries. Check the FileLocal portal or contact your local city clerk to verify requirements. Fees range from $50 to $400 depending on the municipality.

Entity formation (optional). If you want liability protection beyond your personal assets, consider forming an LLC through the Washington Secretary of State ($200 online filing fee). An LLC creates a separate business entity, but it does not replace your personal Washington notary commission.

What You Need in Your Mobile Kit

Beyond the standard commission equipment (stamp, physical journal, valid ID), mobile notaries should carry:

• Multiple ink pads as backup
• Loose acknowledgment and jurat certificates for documents that don't include them
• A fee schedule printed for client reference
• A secure, locked carrying case for your stamp and journal

Your stamp and journal must stay under your exclusive personal control at all times. Don't leave them in your car while you go inside for a signing.

Fee Structure for Mobile Work

The notarial act fee is capped at $15 per act for in-person transactions. Your income from mobile work comes primarily from travel fees, which are market-rate and location-dependent. Urban areas like Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue support higher travel fees than rural regions.

Many mobile notaries charge a flat travel fee ($25 to $75) or a per-mile rate on top of the notarial-act fee. Some offer after-hours or weekend premiums. All of these are legal as long as they're disclosed and agreed upon before the appointment.

Signing Agent Work

If you want to handle real estate closings as a notary signing agent, know that "signing agent" is not a state-issued credential. It's a private designation managed by organizations like the National Notary Association (NNA). Title companies and lenders typically require signing agents to carry $25,000 to $100,000 in errors and omissions (E&O) insurance and pass a background check — none of which the state of Washington mandates.

For the full mobile notary business setup — including business licensing, tax registration, travel fee templates, and signing agent pathways — get the Washington notary commission guide.

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