Laws and rules: Notaries public

Remote notarization authorized in Washington State

On March 16, 2021, permanent rules authorizing remote notarization went into effect in the state of Washington.

The remote notarization legislation passed in the 2019 legislative session. This follows a national trend of states authorizing this practice. This legislation and rule changes will:

• Authorize licensed notaries who have an electronic records endorsement to obtain a remote notary endorsement to practice remote notarization.
• Clarify requirements for communication technology used to conduct remote notarization.
• Establish standards for proving identity when conducting remote notarization.
• Outline authorized remote notarial acts such as taking an acknowledgment or verification on oath/affirmation, witnessing/attesting a signature, or certifying/attesting a copy.
• Set standards for audio-visual recordings and repositories.

Read more about remote notarization.

2018 notary law changes

On July 1, 2018, the notary laws in Chapter 42.44 RCW were replaced by Chapter 42.45 RCW. You should be aware of the following changes:

• The notary public appointment will now be called a notary public commission.
• You'll be required to keep a journal describing each notarial act you perform.
• You'll be able to apply for an Electronic Notary Public endorsement. With the proper software, this endorsement will allow you to notarize electronic documents.

You can participate in the rulemaking process. See the rulemaking activity for Chapter 308-30 WAC below.

Proposed rules

View current or proposed rule changes that may affect you.

Title 308 WAC: Department of Licensing

• Adopted rules
  • OTS-3939.2
  • OTS-3940.2
  • OTS-3941.2
  • OTS-3942.2
  • OTS-3944.2
  • OTS-3946.2
  • OTS-3947.2
  • OTS-3948.2
  • OTS-3949.2
  • OTS-3950.2
  • OTS-3951.5
  • OTS-3952.2
  • OTS-3955.2
  • OTS-3958.2
  • OTS-3960.2
  • OTS-3961.2
  • OTS-3962.2
• Rulemaking order

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held October 11, 2022

• Public hearing audio *
  (7 minutes MP3)
• Download audio transcript

Notaries Public (WAC 308-30)

• Current rule
• Adopted rule
• Concise explanatory statement
• Rulemaking order
• Emergency rulemaking order
• Rescind letter
• Proposed rule

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held February 9, 2021

• Public hearing audio *
  (12 minutes 26 seconds MP3)
• Download audio transcript

Title 308 WAC: Department of Licensing

• Current rule
• Adopted rule
• Concise explanatory statement
• Rulemaking order

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held January 7, 2020

• Public hearing audio *
  (2 minutes MP3)

Notaries Public (WAC 308-30 WAC)

• Current rule
• Adopted rule
• Concise explanatory statement
• Rulemaking order

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held May 9, 2018 and May 10, 2018

• May 9, 2018 public hearing audio*
  (11 minutes MP3)
• May 10, 2018 public hearing audio*
  (4 minutes 47 seconds MP3)

Satisfactory evidence of identity (WAC 308-30­155)

• Current rule
• Adopted rule
• Concise explanatory statement
• Rulemaking order

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held March 10, 2015

• Public hearing audio*
  (3 hours 17 minutes MP3)

Request information in an alternative format

*To request this information in an alternative format, please email RulesCoordinator@dol.wa.gov.

How to comment on a rule

If you're interested in commenting on any of the above rules or would like to sign up to receive information about them, email our rules coordinator at RulesCoordinator@dol.wa.gov.

View current laws and rules

• Uniform Regulation of Business and Professions (Chapter 18.235 RCW)
• Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (Chapter 42.45 RCW)
• Practice and procedure (Chapter 308-08 WAC)
• Notaries public (Chapter 308-30 WAC)

Explanation of abbreviations

• RCW—Revised Code of Washington (Washington State laws)
• WAC—Washington Administrative Code (Washington State agency regulations)