State Information for Washington

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Washington Notary Requirements and Information

Washington Notary Commission Qualifications
Notary applicants must:
• be at least 18 years old;
• be able to read and write English;
• be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S.;
• live in Washington or have a place of employment or practice in the state.

How to Apply to Become a Washington Notary
See detailed information including applicable fees, on the website of the Washington State Department of Licensing: https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/notary/nrequirements.html

Appointing Officer
Department of Licensing.

Term of Office
4 year term.

Notary Education and/or Exam Requirement
Not required.

Notary Bond Requirement
$10,000 Bond Required (4-year term)

Notary Recordbook (Journal) Requirement
• Recordbook (journal) required, paper and electronic notarial acts. Only one tangible journal at a time for recording both paper and electronic notarial acts. Permanent, bound register, numbered pages.
• Electronic records Notary may also maintain a journal in electronic format, but only in addition to the single tangible journal. Review statutes and any administrative rules for detailed journal specifications.
Effective 10-1-20, a Remote Online Notary (electronic records notary) must also create and retain an audio-visual recording of every online notarization performed.

Notary Seal Requirement
• Ink stamp or embossing seal required, paper notarial acts. Seal impression must be photographically reproducible; indelible (permanent) ink specified.
• Official stamp required/specified, electronic notarial acts. Must provide a digital image that is a likeness or representation of the stamp image required for paper notarial acts.

Authorized Duties
• Administer oaths/affirmations;
• take acknowledgments;
• take verifications upon an oath or affirmation;
• witness or attest signatures;
• certify or attest copies;
• note a protest of a negotiable instrument (subject to restrictions);
• certify that an event has occurred or an act has been performed.
Effective 10-1-20, a Notary may certify that a tangible copy of an electronic record is an accurate copy of the record; and an Electronic Records Notary may notarize for a remotely located individual, using communications technology and subject to limitations and restrictions in statutes and any administrative rules.

Change of Name, Address or Eligibility Status
See detailed information on the website of the Washington State Department of Licensing: https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/notary/nforms.html


Contact Information for the State of Washington

State of Washington Notary Website
https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/notary/index.html

State of Washington Notary FAQs
https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/notary/nfaq.html

State of Washington Notary Resources
https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/notary/nresources.html

State of Washington Online License Lookup
https://professions.dol.wa.gov/s/license-lookup

Phone Number
(360) 664-1550

Mailing Address
Notary Public Program
Department of Licensing
P.O. Box 3917
Seattle, WA 98124-3856


Apostilles, Certifications and Authentications Information

Phone Number
(360) 725-0344 option #1

Further Information
https://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/apostilles/



All rights reserved. This information was compiled by the American Society of Notaries. The content of this page may not be reproduced without permission in writing from the American Society of Notaries. Copyright 2020

Information on this page is provided with the understanding that the user is solely responsible for his/her knowledge of notarial law, procedures and practices. The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. All information is subject to change without notice and therefore is provided “as is,” free of warranty of any kind. Last updated August 2020.


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