Become a notary in West Virginia

Where to register

Applications go to the West Virginia Secretary of State. Open their page for the current application, not a StampSide form.

• Commissioning page

  West Virginia Secretary of State

  https://sos.wv.gov/licensing/notary-public/applying-notary-public-commission

• Official lookup

  Official lookup for commissioned notaries in West Virginia.

  https://apps.sos.wv.gov/business/notary/

Requirements

What the official page states. If a topic is missing here, that page did not spell it out.

Age and status

At least 18. U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. West Virginia resident, or a resident of another state who works at an office address in West Virginia. Able to read and write English. High school diploma or equivalent. Not disqualified under W. Va. Code § 39-4-21.

Oath of office

Effective June 3, 2018, the revised law removed the oath of office. You swear or affirm on the application that answers are true and that you will perform notarial acts according to law.

Bond

The same 2018 revision eliminated the $1,000 bond requirement.

Fee (as posted)

$52 filing fee for the online application (waived for qualifying state or local government notaries with a supervisor letter).

Term

Commission certificate valid for five years.

How to get started

1. 01

   Read the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts

   You sign on the application that you have read W. Va. Code § 39-4.

2. 02

   Complete the online application

   Initial appointment or recommission. e-Notarization is a separate authorization with no extra fee as posted.

3. 03

   Wait for the commission letter, then order the rubber stamp

   Use the exact name and address on the letter. The SOS tells you to search rubber-stamp or office-supply vendors and to meet state seal specifications.

4. 04

   Start when the certificate arrives

   The handbook comes with the certificate. Review it before the first act.

5. 05

   Register on StampSide

   After you use the West Virginia Secretary of State site, create a public page: photo, where you work, and how clients reach you. You can appear in the West Virginia directory. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.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.

• Stamp or seal

  West Virginia tells you to order a rubber stamp seal from a stamp or office-supply company using the commission letter. They link seal specifications.

  West Virginia applying for a commission

• More 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

• Applying for a West Virginia notary commission

Remote / electronic notarization

e-Notarization requires a separate E-Notarization Authorization in the Enterprise Registration & Licensing System. No fee to file that authorization, as posted.