Washington Department of Licensing
Become a notary in Washington
Notaries in Washington are commissioned by the Washington Department of Licensing. Apply there first. StampSide is a public page after you have used their process. Notaries are licensed through the Department of Licensing, not the Secretary of State. Look up a commission with the DOL professional license lookup — select Notary Public.
Where to register
Applications go to the Washington Department of Licensing. Open their page for the current application, not a StampSide form.
Commissioning page
Washington Department of Licensing
https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/notaries-publicOfficial lookup
Official lookup for commissioned notaries in Washington.
https://professions.dol.wa.gov/s/license-lookup
Requirements
What the official page states. If a topic is missing here, that page did not spell it out.
- Qualifications
- DOL get-your-license page: at least 18; able to read and write English; live in Washington or have a place of employment or practice in Washington. The qualifications guide also states: U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and not disqualified under RCW 42.45.210 or RCW 18.235.130. FAQ: a felony or a misdemeanor related to notary practice in the past 5 years can disqualify; DOL looks at each case.
- Bond
- Signed $10,000 surety bond. FAQ: 4-year, $10,000 bond from any insurer licensed to do surety in Washington. License expiration is based on the bond’s expiration — a 2-year bond would mean a 2-year license.
- Oath
- Electronic copy of your notarized Oath of Office form, with the signed bond and the application fee.
- Education and exam
- FAQ: a training class is not required; DOL strongly urges one and links education providers. Testing is not required.
- Term
- FAQ: licenses are valid for 4 years, tied to the surety-bond dates.
How to get started
Get the $10,000 bond and notarize the oath
Have electronic copies of both. DOL says not to mail an errors-and-omissions policy in place of the bond.
Apply online (SAW) or by mail
Online through SecureAccess Washington is faster, as DOL states it. Mail: Notary Public Commission Application, copy of the signed surety bond, and a check or money order to the Department of Licensing, Notary Public Program, PO Box 3777, Seattle, WA 98124-3777. A DOL FAQ troubleshooting line refers to a $42 fee — confirm the amount on the application you file.
Add electronic endorsement only if you need it
DOL’s notary hub covers getting, renewing, or updating the license, including remote notarization materials. Follow the current endorsement instructions on that site.
Register on StampSide
After you use the Washington Department of Licensing site, create a public page: photo, where you work, and how clients reach you. Share the URL on emails and invoices. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.
Tools after you apply
Official pages and named suppliers already listed in this product. Checkout is on their site — StampSide does not sell stamps.
Bond or E&O
Washington DOL posts a $10,000 surety bond. DOL does not regulate what the bonding company charges.
National Notary AssociationStamp or seal
Buy a Washington-specific seal after DOL licenses you.
Named suppliers on StampSideMore suppliers
Notary Rotary, Notary.net, and the National Notary Association are on the supplies list. State-specific seals only.
StampSide supplies list
More official pages
Register, then getting started
StampSide does not commission you — the Washington Department of Licensing does, on the official site above. Register here for a public page. After you sign up, getting started walks through a photo, your commission when you have it, and an email signature for cards and mail. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.
After you are commissioned
Create the page you share. Closers still confirm standing on the official site.
Other jurisdictions: all state guides · quiz · Train your eye.