Guidance for common issues that come up during the notarial process and the application process for notaries public.
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in the Washington State notary public program. The Washington State Department of Licensing is committed to ensuring that the high standards of the notary public commission are upheld with regards to all of the over 70,000 licensed notaries in the state. To that end, to provide notaries public with guidance on common issues that come up during the notarial process and to guide prospective notaries through the application process, the Department has put together this guide and made it available to anyone who needs assistance.
Current notaries may also wish to read this guide to learn about the changes to the notary rules and laws that may affect their business. In 2017, the Washington legislature adopted new notary laws which come into effect July 1, 2018, and prompted the Department of Licensing to establish new rules which come into effect at the same time. These changes will have considerable impacts on what a notary may do and requirements they must meet and notaries are responsible for knowing this information.
The notary public commission is a venerable position, created in the late 1800s to help prevent fraud. Because of the historical and functional significance, becoming a notary public should not be taken lightly. A notary public is responsible for knowing the laws and rules that govern the position, and while this guide will be a helpful tool, prospective notaries should take time to familiarize themselves with the position, its requirements, and state law. The state statutes and rules that primarily govern notaries appear in Chapter 42.45 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Chapter 308-30 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC). Notaries are also subject to Washington’s Uniform Regulation of Business and Professions Act, chapter 18.235 RCW.
Contact us
For further assistance with notary issues, you can reach out to the Washington State Notary Program:
Phone: 360-664-1550
Email: notaries@dol.wa.gov
Website: https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/notaries-public
Mailing Address:
Notary Public Program
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9027
Olympia, WA 98507-9027