Washington Notary Supplies

You need exactly two state-mandated supplies to operate as a Washington notary: a compliant stamp and a bound physical journal. Everything else that vendors try to sell you — embossers, locking supply bags, certificate pads, premium stamp cases — is optional at best and unnecessary at worst.

The Official Stamp

Your stamp must comply with WAC 308-30-070. You cannot order it until the DOL issues your commission certificate — manufacturers are legally required to verify your active commission before producing the seal.

Required specifications:

• Circular (minimum 1-5/8" diameter) or rectangular (minimum 1" × 1-5/8")
• Solid outer border line
• All text in minimum 8-point font
• Permanent, smear-resistant ink that photocopies clearly
• Stamp face permanently affixed to the housing

Must display: "Notary Public," "State of Washington," your commissioned name, commission number, and expiration date. Must not include the Washington State Seal.

A basic self-inking stamp from any reputable notary supply vendor runs $20 to $50. The stamp doesn't need to be expensive — it needs to be compliant and produce clean, legible impressions.

The Physical Journal

WAC 308-30-200 requires a permanently bound book with pre-numbered pages. This means hardbound or sewn binding with page numbers printed by the manufacturer — not something you number by hand, and not a spiral notebook or three-ring binder.

The journal records every notarial act you perform: the date, type of act, signer's name, type of identification used, and the document title. You maintain one active journal at a time. When it fills up, you start a new volume. An electronic journal is permitted only as a supplementary duplicate — it can never replace the physical one.

Journals cost $15 to $30 from notary supply vendors. Look for pre-numbered, hardbound journals specifically designed for notary use.

Storage Requirements

Both your stamp and journal must be stored in a secure, locked location under your direct and exclusive personal control. "Exclusive" means no one else has access — not your coworker, not your supervisor, not your spouse.

For office notaries, a locked desk drawer or filing cabinet works. For mobile notaries, a lockbox or small safe that travels with you. Never leave your stamp or journal in an unlocked car, on an open desk, or anywhere someone else could reach them.

What You Don't Need

Embossers. Washington doesn't require an embossing seal. Some notaries use them as a secondary impression for pages that might be separated from the stamped page, but they're not state-mandated.

Certificate pads. Pre-printed acknowledgment and jurat certificates are convenient but optional. You can print loose certificates from templates as needed.

Locking supply bags. Vendors market these as part of "notary kits," but any secure container that limits access to you alone satisfies the law.

Fingerprint pads. Washington doesn't require signer fingerprints in the journal.

Focus your spending on a compliant stamp and a quality journal. Everything else is a vendor upsell.

For the complete supply checklist with exact WAC specifications and vendor-neutral sourcing guidance, get the Washington notary commission guide.

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