Washington Notary Bond— $10,000 — Your Bond IS Your Commission
Washington ties your commission term directly to your bond expiration — if the bond ends early, so does your commission. Filed with the Department of Licensing (not the Secretary of State). No exam, no education requirement. Governed by RCW 42.45.200 — not the repealed RCW 42.44 that some competitor sites still cite. Learn what a surety bond is or explore all state notary bonds.
Get Your $10,000 WA Bond
4-year term • No exam required • Instant approval
Correct Statute Guarantee
Many competitors still cite the repealed RCW 42.44. This page references the current law only: RCW 42.45 and WAC 308-30. We monitor DOL administrative changes and update within 48 hours. BuySuretyBonds.com delivers bonds backed by Treasury-listed sureties with real-time accuracy.
Application Fees & Notarial Act Fees
Washington has three endorsement tiers with different fees. The fee schedule was updated November 22, 2022 via WAC 308-30-220. For broader cost context, see our surety bond cost guide or use the notary bond cost calculator.
Washington Notary Fees: Application & Per-Act
| Fee Type | Standard Notary | Electronic Endorsement | RON Endorsement |
|---|---|---|---|
| New application fee | $40 | +$15 | +$15 (requires electronic first) |
| Renewal fee | $42 | +$15 | +$15 |
| Max fee per notarial act | $15 | $15 | $25 |
| Protest of negotiable instrument | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Travel fees | Agreed in advance | Agreed in advance | N/A |
| License print fee | $5 | $5 | $5 |
Sources: WAC 308-30-060 (application fees), WAC 308-30-220 (act fees). Standard act fees increased from $10 to $15 effective November 22, 2022.
Your Bond Expiration = Your Commission Expiration
Washington is unusual: the DOL bases your commission expiration date on your surety bond's expiration date. If you buy a 4-year bond, you get a 4-year commission. If your bond only covers 3 years, your commission ends in 3 years.
If your surety cancels your bond (they must give 30 days' notice to DOL), your commission terminates on the cancellation date. This means keeping your bond active isn't just a legal requirement — it literally is your commission.
Always purchase a full 4-year bond to maximize your commission term. Learn more about how surety bonds work, the difference between bonds and insurance, and the difference between a bond and a cash deposit.
How Much Does a Washington Notary Bond Cost?
Washington's $10,000 notary bond typically costs $30–$50 for the full 4-year commission term. Because your commission term is tied directly to your bond term, you should always purchase a full 4-year bond. The premium is set by surety carriers based on your credit profile. Use our notary bond cost calculator for an instant estimate, or review our surety bond cost guide for a broader comparison. See notary bond costs by state.
No credit check required for most applicants. Instant approval available — no exam, no education, just a bond and an oath.
Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance
Your $10,000 Washington notary bond protects the public — not you. If the surety pays a claim due to your notarial error or misconduct, they will seek full reimbursement from you personally. Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance protects you by covering your personal liability and legal defense costs. Washington does not require E&O, but it is recommended for any notary performing remote online notarizations or handling high-value transactions. See our bond vs. insurance guide for a full comparison.
How to Get Your Washington Notary Commission
No exam, no education — Washington is one of the most straightforward states. Allow at least 30 days for processing; DOL does not offer expedited service. Learn how to get a surety bond if this is your first time purchasing one.
Purchase Your $10,000 Bond
Get instant approval through BuySuretyBonds.com. Make sure it covers a full 4 years — your commission term matches your bond term. The surety must be licensed in Washington.
Complete the Notarized Oath of Office
Use the form prescribed by the DOL director. The oath must be notarized by an existing notary public.
Submit Application + Bond + Oath
Online via SecureAccess Washington (SAW) — faster processing. Or by mail to: Notary Public Program, PO Box 3777, Seattle, WA 98124-3777. Pay the $40 application fee. Add $15 for electronic records endorsement if desired.
Wait for Processing (~30 Days)
DOL processes applications in order received. Online applications are generally faster. No expedited option available.
Begin Notarizing
Your 4-year commission is effective. Maximum $15/standard act, $25/RON act. Maintain your journal — required since July 1, 2018 for all notaries.
Official Washington Requirements
"An applicant for a commission as a notary public shall submit to the director a surety bond in the amount set by the director by rule, executed by a surety or sureties approved by the director."Washington Department of Licensing • RCW 42.45.200 / WAC 308-30-030 ($10,000)
Get Your Washington Notary Bond — No Exam Needed
$10,000 bond, instant approval, file with DOL online or by mail.
Get Your Bond NowRON Endorsement
Three tiers: Standard → Electronic records (+$15) → RON (+$15, requires electronic first).
Identity: Personal knowledge, credible witness, or 2+ types of identity proofing (KBA + credential analysis).
Recording: Mandatory A/V, retained 10+ years.
Max fee: $25/RON act.
Setup: Email notaries@dol.wa.gov with your software provider info.
Source: RCW 42.45.280; WAC 308-30-290 through 308-30-330
Journal Requirements
Required since: July 1, 2018 for all notaries.
Format: Permanent bound book with numbered pages, OR electronic (password-protected, tamper-evident, with backup).
Retention: 10 years after last entry.
Ownership: Journal belongs exclusively to the notary — employer cannot demand it.
Remote acts: Must be noted in journal.
Source: WAC 308-30-190/200
PLRA Review Underway
The DOL is conducting its mandatory Professional License Review Act (PLRA) review of the notary program. Virtual sessions were held December 2025. A report is due to the Legislature by August 31, 2026.
This could potentially add education or exam requirements. No changes have been enacted yet, but it's worth monitoring. Contact: DOL-BPDPLRA@dol.wa.gov.
Eligibility (RCW 42.45.200)
- At least 18 years old
- Washington resident OR maintain a place of employment/practice in WA
- Able to read and write in English
- Not disqualified under RCW 42.45.210
- No exam or education required
Compare: California ($15K, exam required), Nevada ($10K), Oregon notary bond, Idaho notary bond. See all bond types or requirements by state.
Disqualification (RCW 42.45.210)
The director may deny, refuse to renew, revoke, suspend, or condition a commission for:
- •Non-compliance with statutory requirements
- •Fraudulent or dishonest application statements
- •Felony or crime involving fraud/dishonesty/deceit
- •False or misleading advertising
- •Failure to maintain surety bond
- •Denial/revocation in another jurisdiction
- •Unauthorized protest of negotiable instruments
DOL FAQ: disqualified if convicted within 5 years of any felony or gross misdemeanor relating to notary practice.
Washington professionals may also need: Washington contractor license bonds, Washington auto dealer bonds, or explore notary bond costs by state. Not sure which bond you need? Read our guide to types of surety bonds or check the surety bond glossary. Learn about bond vs. cash deposit options and surety bond requirements. Track 2025–2026 state bond changes. Explore the Learning Center and surety bond basics.
Washington Notary Bond — Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my commission expire when my bond expires?
Per RCW 42.45.200, the DOL bases your commission expiration date on your surety bond expiration. If you purchase a bond that expires before 4 years, your commission shortens to match. Always purchase a full 4-year bond to get the full commission term. If your surety cancels (with 30 days' notice), your commission also ends.
Which statute governs Washington notary bonds — RCW 42.44 or 42.45?
RCW 42.45 (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts) is the CURRENT law, effective since 2018. Multiple competitor sites still cite the repealed RCW 42.44 — that statute no longer applies. The $10,000 bond amount is operationalized by WAC 308-30-030 under the authority of RCW 42.45.200(4).
Does Washington require an exam or education for notaries?
No. Washington does not require any education course or examination for notary applicants. The DOL "strongly urges" optional classes through approved providers, but they are not mandatory. This makes Washington one of the easiest states for notary commissioning.
What is the 2026 PLRA review and could it change requirements?
The DOL is conducting its mandatory Professional License Review Act (PLRA) review of the notary public program. Virtual listening sessions were held December 2025, with a legislative report due August 31, 2026. This review examines licensing requirements, fees, training hours, and barriers to licensure — changes may result, including potentially adding education or exam requirements.
How much can Washington notaries charge per act?
Per WAC 308-30-220 (updated November 22, 2022): $15 maximum for standard notarial acts (up from $10), $25 maximum for remote notarial acts. Protest of negotiable instruments: no fee allowed. Travel fees are permitted but must be disclosed in advance as voluntary.
Can state employees get their bond through the state?
Yes. Washington state employees can obtain their notary bond through the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) / Office of Risk Management, which contracts with Alliant Insurance Services as the state broker of record. This bypasses the normal market. Processing takes 3-4 weeks through DES.
Official Washington Sources
Also explore: all state notary bonds • types of surety bonds • surety bond glossary • learning center • notary bond requirements • 2025–2026 state bond law changes
DOL — Notaries Public
Main portal, FAQ, forms
RCW 42.45.200 (Bond/Commission)
Current law — NOT the repealed 42.44
WAC 308-30 (Admin Rules)
$10K bond amount, fees, journal, seal
WAC 308-30-220 (Act Fees)
$15 standard, $25 RON (updated Nov 2022)
RCW 42.45.280 (RON)
Remote notarization framework
DES — State Employee Bonds
State employee bond pathway via Alliant
Estimate Your Washington Notary Bond Premium
Free calculator — ballpark cost in under 60 seconds, no email required.
Other Washington Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Washington
Nearby States
Notary bonds in neighboring states
All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov) and verified before publication. BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-certified, A- minimum rated surety carriers serving all 50 states.
Simple State, Simple Process
$10,000 Washington notary bond • No exam • No education • Filed with DOL