Washington Notary Renewal

Washington notary commissions last up to four years, and the renewal process isn't automatic. If you miss your window, you don't get a grace period — you lose your commission number and start the entire application from scratch as a new applicant.

When to Start the Renewal

The Department of Licensing (DOL) accepts renewal applications up to 120 days before your commission expiration date. Starting early gives you a buffer for processing delays without risking a lapse. You can find your exact expiration date on your commission certificate or in your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account.

Set a reminder for at least 90 days before expiration. The DOL doesn't send renewal reminders, so tracking this deadline is entirely your responsibility.

What You Need for Renewal

Renewal requires a current renewal application, a new surety bond, and the renewal fee:

New surety bond. Your existing bond expires with your current commission. You need a fresh $10,000 surety bond covering the next four-year term. Premium is typically $30 to $60, same as the initial bond.

Renewal application. Complete the current DOL renewal application and submit it with your new $10,000 surety bond. Renewal uses the renewal application rather than the initial Oath of Office form; follow the DOL's current instructions for any endorsement information.

Renewal fee. The DOL charges $42 for commission renewal — $2 more than the initial application fee. If you're also renewing your electronic records endorsement, add another $15 for a total of $57.

Online vs. Mail Renewal

SAW portal (recommended): Log into your existing SAW account, navigate to the renewal section, upload your new bond, and pay the fee electronically. Allow time for DOL processing before your commission expires.

By mail: Send your completed renewal application, new bond, and a check for $42 (or $57 with electronic endorsement) to: Notary Public Program, Department of Licensing, PO Box 3777, Seattle, WA 98124-3777. Allow time for mail processing before your commission expires.

What Happens If Your Commission Lapses

If your commission expires before the DOL processes your renewal — or if you simply miss the deadline — the consequences are immediate:

• You cannot perform any notarial acts
• Your existing commission number is permanently retired
• You must reapply as a brand-new applicant with a new application fee ($40), new bond, and new oath
• You'll receive a new commission number
• You must order a new stamp with the new number and expiration date

There's no reinstatement process and no late-renewal option. The 120-day advance window exists specifically to prevent this situation.

Keeping Your Endorsements

If you hold the electronic records endorsement or the remote online notary (RON) endorsement, renewing your base commission alone doesn't automatically preserve those endorsements. Include the electronic endorsement renewal ($15) in your renewal application. For the RON endorsement, contact the DOL at [email protected] after your base and electronic renewals are processed to confirm your remote authority carries forward.

Stamp and Journal After Renewal

After you receive the renewal certificate, order a new stamp reflecting your updated commission details. Use the stamp associated with the commission in effect for each act, and disable the old stamp when its commission expires.

Your physical journal, however, continues — you don't need a new one just because the commission renewed. Keep recording entries in your existing journal until it's full, then start a new volume. All journals must be retained for 10 years after the last entry.

For the full renewal timeline, commission maintenance checklist, and endorsement renewal instructions, get the Washington notary commission guide.

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