How to Become a Notary in Washington
Learn about Washington notary requirements, commission process, fees, and more. Prepare with AI-powered supplementary training, adaptive quizzes, and a 24/7 AI tutor scoped to Washington law.
Washington does not mandate a pre-commission education course for notary public applicants. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including Washington residency and must apply through the Department of Licensing. Notary Mentor is a supplementary study resource only and does not replace any state requirements.
Washington Notary Requirements at a Glance
Key facts about notary commissions in Washington.
Remote Online Notarization
Journal Requirements
Under RCW 42.45.080, Washington requires notaries to maintain a journal of all notarial acts. Each entry must include the date and time of the act, type of notarial act, description of the document, s...
Fees & Seals
Washington sets maximum fees under RCW 42.45.230. The maximum fee for any notarial act is $10.00. For remote online notarizations, the maximum fee is $25.00 per act. The notary's seal must contain the...
Key Topics Covered for Washington
Master these essential areas of Washington notary law with our AI-powered training platform.
Acknowledgments
Under RCW 42.45.030 (Washington's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts), an acknowledgment requires the signer to personally appear before the notary, be identified through satisfa...
Journals & Records
Under RCW 42.45.080, Washington requires notaries to maintain a journal of all notarial acts. Each entry must include the date and time of the act, type of notarial act, descriptio...
Identity Verification
Under RCW 42.45.050, a Washington notary may verify a signer's identity through personal knowledge, presentation of a current government-issued identification document containing a...
RON Specifics
Washington enacted RON provisions under RCW 42.45.200 et seq. A notary must register with the Department of Licensing as a remote notary, use approved communication technology, and...
Prohibited Acts
Under RCW 42.45.070 and RCW 42.45.250, a Washington notary may not perform a notarial act if the signer is not present (or connected via approved RON), if the notary cannot identif...
Fees & Seals
Washington sets maximum fees under RCW 42.45.230. The maximum fee for any notarial act is $10.00. For remote online notarizations, the maximum fee is $25.00 per act. The notary's s...
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Washington
Mistakes that Washington notaries frequently make — and how to avoid them.
Failing to maintain a journal of notarial acts as required by RCW 42.45.080.
Not registering as a remote notary before performing RON acts.
Exceeding the $10.00 fee for traditional acts or the $25.00 cap for remote online notarizations.
Providing immigration legal advice or holding oneself out as an immigration consultant while acting as a notary.
Failing to retain RON recordings for the mandated ten-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about becoming a notary in Washington.
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