How to Become a Notary in Washington DC 2026: Complete DC Notary Guide

How to Become a Notary Public in Washington DC

Washington DC does not require an exam to become a notary public. However, first-time applicants must complete a mandatory orientation session. The application process is handled through the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA).

DC Notary Requirements at a Glance

Why Become a DC Notary?

• No exam required - Only orientation for first-time applicants
• 5-year commission - Long term reduces renewal hassle
• Affordable bond - Only $2,000 surety bond required
• RON authorized - Remote Online Notarization is legal
• In-demand services - High demand in the nation's capital
• Multiple commission types - Options for residents and workers

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Step-by-Step: How to Become a DC Notary

Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements

To become a Washington DC notary public, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a United States citizen or permanent legal resident
• Be a DC resident OR have a primary place of employment/practice in DC
• Be able to read and write English
• Have no convictions for crimes involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit
• Have no prior notary commission revocations

Step 2: Determine Your Commission Type

DC offers several commission types:

Residential Commission:

• For DC residents with a physical address in the District
• Must live in DC

Business/Government Commission:

• For non-residents with primary place of business or employment in DC
• Must work in DC

Dual Commission:

• For those who both live AND work in DC
• Combines residential and business qualifications

Step 3: Obtain Your Surety Bond

Before applying, obtain a $2,000 surety bond:

• Bond Amount: $2,000
• Bond Term: 5 years (matches commission term)
• Typical Cost: $40-$60 for the 5-year term
• Provider: Must be from a surety company licensed in DC

Exception: Notaries commissioned on behalf of the DC government are exempt from the bond requirement.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Apply through the DC Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA):

1. Access the online application at nap.os.dc.gov
2. Complete all required fields including:
   • Personal information
   • Residency/employment details
   • Commission type selection
3. Pay the $75 application fee (payable to DC Treasurer)
4. Upload required documents:
   • Proof of surety bond
   • Identification documents
   • Proof of residency or employment in DC

Submit to: Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications 899 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 8100 Washington, DC 20002

Step 5: Complete Mandatory Orientation

First-time applicants and those with lapsed commissions (12+ months) must:

• Attend a mandatory orientation session
• Orientation is scheduled by ONCA after application review
• Learn about notary duties, regulations, and responsibilities
• This is not an exam - it's an informational session

Step 6: Take Your Oath of Office

After completing orientation:

• Take the oath of office as administered by ONCA
• This officially activates your commission
• Must be completed within 10 business days of ONCA contact

Step 7: Receive Your Commission

Once all steps are complete:

• You'll receive your official commission certificate
• Your commission is valid for 5 years
• You can begin notarizing after obtaining supplies

Step 8: Purchase Notary Supplies

After receiving your commission, purchase required supplies:

Official Notary Stamp/Seal (Required):

• Rubber stamp recommended
• Must include: Your name, "Notary Public," "District of Columbia," commission expiration date
• Must be legible and reproducible
• Cost: $25-$50

Notary Journal (Required):

• Must maintain a record of all notarial acts
• Paper or electronic format
• Cost: $15-$30

DC Notary Fees

Important Guidelines:

• The maximum fee per notarial act is $5.00
• Government-commissioned notaries are prohibited from charging for notarial services
• You may waive the fee or charge less than the maximum
• Disclose fees before performing services

DC-Specific Requirements

Seal/Stamp Requirements

Your DC notary stamp must include:

• Your name as commissioned
• The words "Notary Public"
• The words "District of Columbia"
• Your commission expiration date

Format: Must be legible and photographically reproducible

Journal Requirements (Required)

DC notaries must maintain a journal of all notarial acts:

Required Journal Entries:

• Date and time of the notarial act
• Type of act performed
• Description or title of the document
• Name and address of the signer
• Method of identification used
• Fee charged
• Your signature

Retention: Keep records for the duration of your commission and as required by law

Identification Requirements

When notarizing, you must verify the signer's identity using:

• Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, state ID)
• Personal knowledge of the signer
• Credible witness identification

Remote Online Notarization (RON) and E-Notary in DC

Washington DC authorizes both In-Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN) and Remote Online Notarization (RON) under D.C. Code S 1-1231.13a.

Becoming a DC E-Notary/RON

To perform electronic notarizations in DC:

1. Hold an active DC traditional notary commission and have taken your oath
2. Complete mandatory e-notary training from an outside vendor
3. Submit the e-notary application online through ONCA
4. Provide your technology provider information (ONCA does not specify approved vendors for IPEN)
5. Take the e-notary oath by phone within 10 business days of ONCA contact

Important: E-notary is an endorsement on your existing commission, not a separate commission. It shares the same expiration date.

RON Technology Requirements

• Must use technology that meets DC standards
• Video recording of the notarization is required
• Technology provider must retain recordings for 10 years
• Cannot use general video conferencing for RON

RON Identity Verification

For remote online notarization, you must verify identity through:

• Government-issued photo ID presented remotely
• Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions
• Audio-visual recording of the session

RON Prohibited Documents

Cannot notarize via RON:

• Birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates
• Most federal documents (FBI fingerprints, original passports, I-9s)
• 501(c)(3) determination letters

E-Notary Processing Time

Like traditional notary applications, e-notary processing takes approximately 45-60 days.

Total Cost to Become a DC Notary

For E-Notary (additional):

Timeline: How Long Does It Take?

Renewing Your DC Commission

DC notary commissions are valid for 5 years.

Renewal Process:

• Begin renewal before your commission expires
• If your commission has lapsed more than 12 months, you must attend orientation again
• Submit a renewal application with the $75 fee
• Obtain a new surety bond
• Take the oath of office again

Important: Purchase a new stamp with your updated expiration date.

Special Considerations

Government Notaries

If you're commissioned on behalf of the DC government:

• No surety bond required
• Cannot charge fees for notarial services
• Commission tied to your government employment

Non-Resident Applicants

Non-residents can become DC notaries if they:

• Have a primary place of employment or practice in DC
• Meet all other statutory requirements
• Follow the same application process as residents

Start Your DC Notary Career Today

Washington DC offers an excellent opportunity to become a notary public with no exam requirement. The 5-year commission term and straightforward application process make it accessible for anyone who lives or works in the nation's capital.

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