Oregon takes a different approach: no bond required (one of the only states), but training and an exam are mandatory. Total cost is the lowest of any state we cover.
To be commissioned as a notary public in Oregon, you must meet all of the following requirements:
Source: Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 194. Full requirements at the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division.
Oregon is the cheapest state to get commissioned of the five we cover. $60–$120 total, no bond required.
| Item | Cost | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notary Basics training course | $0 | Yes | Free from the Oregon Secretary of State (paid alternatives available). |
| Application/exam fee | $40 | Yes | Submitted along with your application after passing the exam. |
| Notary stamp/seal | $20–$40 | Yes | Inked stamp required. Must include specific Oregon SOS elements. |
| Notary journal | $15–$30 | Yes | Required by Oregon law. Must retain for 10 years. |
| Surety bond | Not required | No | Oregon is one of about 20 states with no bond requirement. |
| E&O insurance | $20–$60/yr | Optional | Strongly recommended since no bond protection exists for the public. |
| Realistic total | $60–$120 | Lower end uses free state training and skips optional E&O. Among the most affordable commissions in the country. |
Since Oregon doesn't require a bond, your main purchases are training (optional paid courses), stamps, and journal. These three providers cover the essentials:
Disclosure: the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Smoothquill may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend providers we'd use ourselves.
Oregon's process is streamlined and inexpensive. Start to finish, expect 2–4 weeks. Mandatory training and exam, but both are free if you use the state-provided versions.
All new applicants (and inactive notaries returning) must complete the Notary Basics training course within 6 months before applying. The course is free from the Oregon Secretary of State and is offered online.
The state course is offered online, via webinar, or in-person. Paid alternatives are available from approved education providers, but the free state course is generally sufficient. After completing the course, you'll receive a Notary Education Certificate/ID number, which you'll need for the exam.
The Oregon notary exam is administered online through the SOS Notary Portal. It's open-book and tests your knowledge of Oregon notary laws and procedures. You'll need your training education ID to start.
The exam is taken at your own pace through the SOS portal. Most applicants pass on their first attempt. If you fail, you can retake the exam. The exam draws directly from the Oregon Notary Public Guidebook and the 2013 Oregon Revised Statutes (with subsequent amendments).
After passing the exam, submit your notary application through the SOS online system. Select "Take the Exam and Apply (Training Completed)." Provide your legal name, public contact address, training/exam certificate details, and the $40 fee.
A background check is conducted by the Oregon State Police pursuant to ORS 194.370. Approval typically takes 1–2 weeks. The Secretary of State will email you when your commission is approved, and you'll send back your oath of office within 30 days.
Once your commission is approved and your oath is filed, order your official Oregon notary stamp. The stamp must include specific Oregon SOS elements including the Great Seal of Oregon (1859).
Oregon stamps must include: "Official Stamp," your name, "Notary Public - Oregon," your commission number, your commission expiration date, and the image of the State of Oregon Seal 1859. Maximum fee per notarial act in Oregon is $10 (traditional) or $25 (RON). You must display or hand a fee schedule to clients before notarizing if you charge.
Apply to Smoothquill →Oregon notaries perform acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, copy certifications, and protests. Oregon has authorized Remote Online Notarization since 2020. Portland's tech and real estate markets, along with Eugene's university economy, drive steady demand. Oregon's no-bond requirement makes the barrier to entry low, but E&O insurance is strongly recommended given there's no automatic public protection mechanism.
Oregon's $10 per-act cap is modest, but the Portland metro real estate market drives strong NSA demand. Loan signings ($75–$200 per closing) and RON work ($25 per online act) make Oregon competitive with Washington and Northern California for full-time notary income.
Income estimates are based on the National Notary Association's annual notary income surveys, BLS data for legal services workers, and reported earnings from active notary marketplaces. Your actual income depends on market density, hours worked, and whether you certify as a Notary Signing Agent (NSA) for loan signing work.
Oregon authorized Remote Online Notarization in 2020. RON-authorized notaries must register separately with the SOS and use approved RON platforms. Maximum fee for RON acts is $25 (compared to $10 for traditional). Oregon's RON market is growing, particularly for cross-border transactions with Washington and California.
Oregon commissions last 4 years. To renew, complete the Notary Basics training again (yes, even for renewals — Oregon is one of the only states with this requirement), pass the exam, and submit a new application with the $40 fee. You can apply for reappointment up to 2.5 months before your expiration date.
Yes. Oregon is one of the only states that requires renewing notaries to retake the Notary Basics training course. The course is free and online, but it's mandatory.
Oregon is one of about 20 states that have eliminated the bond requirement, replacing it with stricter qualification requirements (training, exam, background check) and reliance on E&O insurance for personal protection. The reasoning: a $5,000 bond rarely covers actual damages, so the bureaucracy isn't worth it.
Legally, yes. Practically, almost no. Without a bond, there's no automatic public protection mechanism for your notarial mistakes. E&O insurance ($20–$60/year) is the cheapest risk-management purchase you can make as an Oregon notary.
Statute does not forbid it, but the Oregon SOS strongly recommends against it. If a notarization for a relative were ever questioned in a lawsuit or investigation, it might look like you weren't impartial — one of the core requirements for a notary.
Oregon notaries are NOT lawyers and cannot give legal advice. The term "notario publico" in Latin American countries refers to an attorney, so the SOS prohibits Oregon notaries from translating their title that way. Use "Oregon Notary Public" in Spanish-language contexts.
Only with a separate Washington commission. Each state's commission is geographically limited to that state. Portland notaries who work both sides of the Columbia commonly hold dual commissions in OR and WA.
Oregon doesn't have to be complicated. Complete the free training, pass the exam, and you're commissioned in 2–4 weeks.
See supply options →Affiliate links — see disclosure below.