DC Notary Bond
$2,000 • 5-Year Term • Buy AFTER Appointment
The District of Columbia requires a $2,000 surety bond per DC Code §1-1231.19(e) with a 5-year commission term. The single most important thing to know: wait for your Appointment Notice before purchasing your bond. One bond covers all three commission types — Traditional, IPEN, and RON — so you never need multiple bonds. Looking for surety bonds across all jurisdictions? We handle DC and all 50 states.
Get Your $2,000 District of Columbia Bond
5-year term • Online only • Orientation required
When to Buy Your DC Notary Bond (Critical Timing)
DC has a unique process that trips up most first-time applicants. Unlike states where you buy your notary bond first and then apply, DC requires you to wait for your Appointment Notice before purchasing your bond. Here is why:
The Appointment Notice arrives 45–60 days after you submit your application. It specifies your commission start date (always the 1st or 15th of a month). Only then should you purchase your surety bond and take your oath.
Three Commission Types, One $2,000 Bond
DC recognizes three notarization methods. Your single surety bond covers all of them — no additional bonds needed regardless of which type(s) you use.
Traditional Notarization
- In-person, signer physically present
- Handwritten signature on paper
- Ink stamp or embosser seal
- Standard commission type
The default for most DC notaries.
IPEN (In-Person Electronic)
- Signer physically present
- Digital platform + electronic seal
- Must name your IPEN vendor in application
- Requires vendor training completion
Common for title companies and law firms.
RON (Remote Online)
- Authorized under DC Code §1-1231.13a
- Signer appears via audio-video link
- ONCA accepting interest forms
- Program has NOT launched as of April 2026
ONCA distributing “Remote Notary Interest Forms 2026.” Will notify when program launches.
Compare remote notarization rules: Texas RON | Florida RON | Nevada RON. See all notary bond states.
Official District of Columbia Requirements
"An applicant for a commission as a notary public shall maintain a surety bond in the amount of $2,000 for the 5-year commission term."DC Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA) • DC Code §1-1231.19(e) / D.C. Law 22-189
DC Notary Application Timeline (Step-by-Step)
DC's process is different from most states. The bond comes after approval, not before. For an overview of how to get a surety bond, see our guide.
Attend mandatory orientation (new applicants)
All first-time applicants must attend an orientation session. If your prior commission expired more than 12 months ago, orientation is also required. Check os.dc.gov for the next available session. This step is unique to DC.
Submit online application at nap.os.dc.gov
Complete the application on DC's online portal. Include your typed Letter of Intent. Business or government applicants need a supervisor letter on company letterhead with a DC address. Pay the $75 non-refundable application fee.
Wait for Appointment Notice from ONCA
ONCA reviews your application and background. This is the longest step — expect 45-60 days. You CANNOT skip ahead. Do NOT buy your bond during this waiting period.
Purchase your $2,000 surety bond
Once you receive your Appointment Notice (which specifies your commission start date), purchase your bond with the correct effective dates. This is where we come in — instant approval, Treasury-certified carriers.
Take the oath of office
Visit ONCA at 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 419, Washington, DC, or contact notary@dc.gov for oath arrangements. Bring your bond and Appointment Notice. Your oath must be completed before your commission starts.
Receive your commission certificate and begin notarizing
After the oath, ONCA issues your commission certificate. Purchase your stamp and journal from a supply vendor. You may only notarize within the District of Columbia, starting on your commission date (1st or 15th of the month).
Renewal Process
Renewals within 12 months of expiration are exempt from orientation. You still need a new bond, new $75 fee, and a new oath. Apply early — the 45–60 day processing time still applies. See our notary bond requirements guide or contact ONCA at (202) 727-3117.
What You Actually Pay: ~$190–$195
DC has more line items than most states. Here is the full breakdown with no surprises. Use our notary bond calculator for a personalized estimate based on your credit profile.
Bond premium depends on your credit profile. Most applicants with decent credit pay $35–$55 for the full 5-year term. See our surety bond cost guide for how premiums are calculated, or compare with Maryland's notary bond and Virginia's notary bond.
Get Your $2,000 DC Notary Bond
5-year term. One bond covers all 3 commission types. Instant approval, no credit check, after your Appointment Notice.
Get Your Bond NowEligibility, Fees & Prohibited Documents
Who Can Apply
- Age 18 or older
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Reside or work in DC
- Good moral character
- No conviction for fraud, dishonesty, or deceit
- Mandatory orientation (new applicants)
- Letter of Intent required
Residency Details
Residential applicants: must live AND work in DC. Business applicants: may live outside DC if employed by a DC business. No reciprocity with any state.
Notarial Acts & Fees
Max fee per act: $5 (§1-1231.18)
Government notaries cannot charge fees.
- • Acknowledgments
- • Oaths and affirmations
- • Verification on oath or affirmation
- • Witnessing or attesting a signature
- • Copy certification
Mandatory journal per DC Code §1-1231.18. Record every notarial act with date, type, signer identification, and document type.
Authentication/apostille fee: $15 per document.
Documents You Cannot Notarize
DC explicitly prohibits notarization of these documents:
- ×Birth certificates
- ×Death certificates
- ×Marriage certificates
- ×Divorce certificates
- ×FBI fingerprint cards
- ×Passports
- ×I-9 forms (Employment Eligibility)
- ×501(c)(3) determination letters
These documents require different authentication processes. See what notary bonds cover.
Learn more about what a notary bond is, general notary requirements, or browse all surety bonds. DC-area auto dealerships operating in the district require a DC auto dealer bond, and licensed contractors performing work in DC need a DC contractor license bond.
Government Employee Exemption
Notaries commissioned solely for the purpose of DC government work receive a partial exemption. This is a detail that most notary bond sites either miss or get wrong.
What is exempt:
- • $75 application fee is waived
- • Cannot charge fees for notarial acts
What is NOT exempt:
- • $2,000 surety bond is still required
- • Orientation is still required (new applicants)
- • All other application steps apply
Mixed-use warning: If you notarize for both government and private purposes, you are NOT exempt from the $75 fee. The exemption applies only when the commission is exclusively for DC government work.
Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance
Your surety bond protects the public — if you make an error, the surety pays the claim, then seeks reimbursement from you personally. Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance protects you. Most DC notaries carry both. See our bond vs. insurance comparison.
Letter of Intent & Application Documents
Every DC notary application requires a typed Letter of Intent. This is not optional. ONCA reviews the letter as part of your commission process.
Individual / Residential Applicants
- • Typed letter explaining why you need a commission
- • Must include your DC address
- • Submit with online application at nap.os.dc.gov
Business / Government Applicants
- • Typed letter from supervisor or employer
- • Must be on company letterhead
- • Must include a DC business address
- • Explains business need for the commission
Prohibited Acts & Commission Date Rules
Your $2,000 surety bond protects the public. If you commit a prohibited act and someone suffers a loss, they can file a bond claim against your bond.
Prohibited Acts
- • Notarizing your own signature
- • Notarizing when you have a financial interest
- • Notarizing when you are a party to the document
- • Performing notarial acts outside DC jurisdiction
- • Charging more than $5 per act
- • Notarizing prohibited documents (see list above)
- • Performing acts after commission expires
Commission Date Rules
- • Start dates: 1st or 15th of each month
- • End dates: 14th or last day of each month
- • January exception: begins Jan 2, ends Jan 1
- • Duration: Exactly 5 years
- • No grace period: You cannot notarize past your end date
ONCA determines your start date based on processing. You cannot request a specific date.
DC Notary Bond — Frequently Asked Questions
When should I buy my DC notary bond?
ONLY after you receive your Appointment Notice from the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA). This is the most common mistake DC applicants make. If you buy the bond before your appointment is approved, you risk wasting money on a bond with incorrect dates or buying before you know whether your application was approved. The process takes 45-60 days from application submission to Appointment Notice, so plan accordingly.
Is orientation mandatory for DC notaries?
Yes — all new applicants must attend a mandatory orientation session before receiving their commission. If your prior commission expired more than 12 months ago, you must also attend orientation. Renewals within 12 months of expiration are exempt from orientation. This requirement is unique to DC; most states do not require any pre-commission training or orientation.
Does one bond cover all three DC commission types?
Yes. Your single $2,000 surety bond covers all three commission types: Traditional (in-person, ink-and-paper), IPEN (in-person electronic notarization, available since March 30, 2023), and RON (remote online notarization, authorized under DC Code §1-1231.13a but not yet operational as of April 2026). You do not need a separate bond for each type.
When does my DC commission start?
DC commissions start on the 1st or 15th of each month and end on the 14th or last day of each month. The January exception: commissions begin January 2 and end January 1. You cannot choose your start date — ONCA determines it based on when your application clears processing. Plan for 45-60 days from application to commission start.
Can I use my DC commission outside the District?
No — a DC notary commission may ONLY be used within the District of Columbia. Using it in Maryland, Virginia, or any other jurisdiction is prohibited and can result in commission revocation. If you notarize in MD or VA, you need a separate commission in that state. There is no reciprocity with any state.
Are government employees exempt from the DC notary bond?
Partially. Notaries commissioned solely for DC government work are exempt from the $75 application fee, but they still need the $2,000 surety bond. Government notaries also cannot charge fees for notarial acts. If you notarize for both government and private purposes, you are NOT exempt from the application fee.
Have questions about surety bonds? Read what is a surety bond, compare bonds vs. insurance, or see the difference between a bond and a cash deposit. Browse the surety bond learning center.
Official DC Sources
Explore more: all state notary bonds • notary bond costs • notary requirements • surety bond glossary • types of surety bonds • how to get a surety bond • surety bond requirements • notary bond calculator • cost guide • 2025-2026 state bond changes
ONCA — Notary Commissions
Applications, orientation, commission types
Online Application Portal
Online-only application submission
DC Code §1-1231.19
Bond amount, qualification, commission term
ONCA FAQ & Resources
Commission dates, fees, prohibited docs
DC Code §1-1231.13a (RON)
Remote online notarization authorization
DC Code §1-1231.18 (Journal)
Journal requirements, max fees, records
ONCA Contact: 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 419, Washington, DC 20004 • Phone: (202) 727-3117 • Email: notary@dc.gov
Other Washington DC Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Washington DC
Right Bond. Right Timing. Your DC Commission Done Right.
$2,000 DC notary bond • 5-year term • 3 commission types, 1 bond • Buy after Appointment Notice • Instant approval