Washington is one of the easiest states to become a notary. No exam, no required training, and a fast 3–4 week process. The Department of Licensing handles applications directly.
To be commissioned as a notary public in Washington, you must meet all of the following requirements:
Source: Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 42.45. Full requirements at the Washington State Department of Licensing, Notary Public.
Washington keeps it simple. Plan for $95–$180 total. No exam fees, no training fees — just bond, application fee, and supplies.
| Item | Cost | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 surety bond | $35–$55 | Yes | Four-year term. Must include $5,000 of E&O coverage by RCW 42.45.200. |
| Application fee | $30 | Yes | Submit by check or money order to the Department of Licensing. |
| Electronic records endorsement (optional) | $15 | Optional | Adds remote notarization capability. Total app fee becomes $45 with endorsement. |
| Notary stamp/seal | $20–$40 | Yes | Must include your name, "Notary Public," "State of Washington," and your commission expiration date. |
| Notary journal | $15–$30 | Yes | Required for all notarial acts in Washington. |
| E&O insurance | $30–$80/yr | Optional | Some E&O is included in the bond; additional coverage recommended. |
| Realistic total | $95–$180 | Including journal and stamp. Many notaries opt for the $45 application package to add electronic notarization upfront. |
Three bond providers we'd use for Washington. All include the required $5,000 E&O coverage.
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.
Washington's process is among the simplest in the country. Start to finish, expect 3–4 weeks. No exam, no training course required — just bond up, submit, and wait.
Washington requires a $10,000 surety bond that includes $5,000 of E&O coverage (per RCW 42.45.200). The bond protects the public from notarial misconduct.
Premiums typically run $35–$55 for the 4-year term. The bond rider must be issued by a surety company authorized to do business in Washington. Most online providers issue bonds instantly and email you the rider document for inclusion in your application packet.
See bond options →Download the notary application form from the Washington Department of Licensing website. Fill out sections A, B, and D (new applicants). The form asks for personal info, residency or employment confirmation, citizenship status, and conviction disclosure.
A new statutory requirement asks about US citizenship or permanent residency status — make sure you answer this correctly. The form also asks if you're applying for an electronic records (RON) endorsement, which adds $15 to the fee but unlocks remote notarization.
Mail your completed application, a copy of your bond rider, and a $30 check or money order ($45 if including the electronic records endorsement) to the Department of Licensing.
Send to: Washington State Department of Licensing, PO Box 9027, Olympia, WA 98507-9027. Processing typically takes 3–4 weeks. You'll receive your commission certificate by mail when approved. The DOL does not currently accept online submissions for new notary applications.
Once your commission certificate arrives, order your official Washington notary stamp and journal. Washington requires journal entries for all notarial acts.
Washington seals must show your name, the words "Notary Public," "State of Washington," and your commission expiration date. Maximum fee per traditional notarial act is $10 in Washington. RON fees can go up to $25 per online act. Once you have your stamp, you can begin notarizing anywhere in Washington.
Apply to Smoothquill →Washington notaries perform acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, copy certifications, and protests. With Seattle's tech industry, Spokane's growing financial sector, and Washington's booming real estate market, demand is steady. Washington has been a Remote Online Notarization (RON) state since 2020, and the electronic records endorsement makes adding RON capability simple and inexpensive ($15 extra at application time).
Washington's $10 per-act cap is modest, but the loan signing market (especially in Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, and Spokane) drives most full-time income. NSAs in Seattle metro can earn $4,000–$9,000/month during active real estate seasons. RON adds another revenue stream at $25 per online act.
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.
Washington has authorized Remote Online Notarization since 2020. The electronic records endorsement is added at application time for $15 (or later for a separate fee). Once endorsed, you can register with approved RON platforms and perform notarizations for signers anywhere — including out-of-state. Washington RON fees can be charged up to $25 per online notarial act.
Washington commissions last 4 years. To renew, submit a new application with a new $10,000 bond and the $30 fee (or $45 with electronic records endorsement). No new training required. Renewals can be filed up to 60 days before expiration. The DOL recommends renewing at least 30 days before your current commission expires to avoid a gap in your commission.
Correct. Washington is one of about 30 states that don't require an exam or formal training course to become a notary. However, the DOL strongly recommends reading the Washington Notary Public Guide before performing notarial acts.
It's a $15 add-on to your application that authorizes you to perform Remote Online Notarization (RON). It can be added at initial application or later as a separate filing. Most modern notaries get it upfront since RON is increasingly common.
Yes. Washington's residency requirement is satisfied if you either live in Washington OR have a place of employment or practice in Washington. Cross-border workers in Vancouver, Spokane, and other border cities commonly qualify.
$10 per traditional notarial act; $25 per Remote Online Notarization. Travel fees can be charged separately if disclosed and agreed upon upfront.
3–4 weeks from mailing your packet to the DOL. The DOL doesn't currently accept online submissions for new commissions, so plan for mail delays at both ends.
RCW 42.45.200 was amended to require that the surety bond also include $5,000 of E&O coverage for the notary. This is unusual — most states only require the bond (which protects the public, not the notary). Washington's hybrid approach provides minimal personal protection automatically.
Washington doesn't have to be complicated. Buy the bond, complete the steps, and you're commissioned in 3–4 weeks.
See bond options →Affiliate links — see disclosure below.