Washington Notary Application
The Washington notary application trips people up not because it's complicated, but because it requires three separate documents assembled in the right order before you can submit anything. If the application is incomplete or invalid, the Department of Licensing (DOL) can hold it for up to 30 calendar days to allow you to correct the defect; after that, the application can be canceled and the fee forfeited.
What You Need Before Starting
The application itself is just the final assembly step. Before you open the SAW portal or print a paper form, you need these two documents ready:
Signed $10,000 surety bond. Purchase this from any licensed surety company. The premium runs $30 to $60 for a four-year term. You must physically sign the bond document. Keep the original and make a clear digital copy for upload.
Notarized Oath of Office. Download Form NP-659-009 from the DOL website, take it to any currently commissioned Washington notary, and have them administer the oath and witness your signature. The notary completes the jurat, signs, and stamps the form. The name you sign must match your intended commission name exactly.
Online Application Through SAW
The SecureAccess Washington (SAW) portal is the faster route, processing in 10 to 14 business days:
- Create a SAW account at the DOL Professional and Business Licensing portal
- Navigate to the Notary Public section
- Upload clear digital scans of your signed bond and notarized oath
- Select your commission type — base only ($40) or base plus electronic records endorsement ($55)
- Pay by credit card or electronic check
A common SAW glitch: if you log out before completing payment, the portal sometimes shows a "$0 fee due" error. Wait two hours before logging back in and reattempting the transaction. Disabling pop-up blockers in Chrome also prevents most session issues.
Paper Application by Mail
If you prefer paper, download the application form from the DOL website and mail it with your physical bond, notarized oath, and a check or money order payable to "Department of Licensing" to:
Notary Public Program, Department of Licensing, PO Box 3777, Seattle, WA 98124-3777
Paper processing takes approximately 30 calendar days. For questions, contact the DOL Notary Public Program at 360-664-1550; you'll receive a commission certificate by mail once approved.
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Application Fees
| Commission Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Base notary commission | $40 |
| Base + electronic records endorsement | $55 |
| Printed certificate mailed to you | $5 (optional) |
| Self-printed from SAW | $0 |
The $5 print fee is optional. Most notaries download and print their commission certificate directly from their SAW account at no cost.
After Approval
Once the DOL approves your application, your commission certificate becomes available in your SAW account. Only after receiving this certificate can you legally order your stamp — manufacturers are prohibited under WAC 308-30-080 from producing a notary seal without proof of an active commission.
Your commission term is tied to your surety bond's active dates and cannot exceed four years. Make sure your bond covers the full four years.
For the complete application walkthrough — including screenshot-level SAW portal instructions, name-matching rules, and what to do if your application is delayed — get the Washington notary commission guide.
Get Your Free Washington — Notary Commission Requirements Checklist
Download the Washington — Notary Commission Requirements Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.