How to Become a Notary Public in West Virginia
West Virginia is one of the most notary-friendly states in the country. You do not need to pass an exam, complete a course, or obtain a surety bond to become a notary public. You simply need to meet the eligibility requirements, review the Notary Handbook, and apply through the Secretary of State.
West Virginia Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Residency | WV resident OR employed/practicing in WV |
| Exam Required | No |
| Education Required | High school diploma or equivalent (for first-time applicants since 2018) |
| Surety Bond | Not required (eliminated June 3, 2018) |
| Commission Term | 5 years |
| Application Fee | $52 |
Why Become a West Virginia Notary?
- No exam required - Simply review the Notary Handbook
- No bond required - Bond requirement eliminated in 2018
- Long commission term - 5 years (longer than most states)
- RON authorized - Remote Online Notarization available since 2021
- Affordable - One of the lowest total costs to become a notary
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Step-by-Step: How to Become a West Virginia Notary
Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements
To become a West Virginia notary public, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States
- Be a resident of West Virginia OR have a place of employment or practice in West Virginia
- Be able to read and write English
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) - required for applicants not commissioned before January 1, 2018
- Have no disqualifying criminal convictions or prior commission revocation for cause
Non-Resident Note: Non-residents may be commissioned if they have a regular place of employment or practice in West Virginia.
Step 2: Review the West Virginia Notary Handbook
Before applying, you must:
- Download the West Virginia Notary Handbook from the Secretary of State website
- Review all notary duties, responsibilities, and procedures
- Familiarize yourself with WV notary laws and proper notarization procedures
- On the application, you will affirm that you have reviewed the handbook
Important: While there is no formal exam, understanding your duties is critical to avoiding liability.
Step 3: Complete the Online Application
West Virginia processes notary applications online:
- Visit the Secretary of State's website (sos.wv.gov)
- Access the Notary Public Application portal
- Complete all required fields accurately
- Pay the $52 non-refundable filing fee
- Affirm that you have reviewed the Notary Handbook
- Submit your application electronically
Processing Time: Applications are typically processed within 1-2 weeks.
Step 4: Receive Your Commission
Once approved:
- You will receive your notary commission certificate
- Your commission is effective immediately upon issuance
- Commission is valid for 5 years
- Keep your certificate in a safe place
Step 5: Purchase Required Notary Supplies
After receiving your commission, purchase your official notary seal:
Official Notary Seal/Stamp (Required):
West Virginia requires an inked rubber stamp for all paper notarizations:
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Format | Rectangular |
| Maximum Size | 1 inch high x 2.5 inches wide |
| Border | Must have border |
| Required Text | "Official Seal," "Notary Public," "State of West Virginia" |
| Your Name | Exactly as on commission |
| Cost | $20-$40 |
Embossing Seal (Optional):
- May be used in conjunction with the ink stamp
- Cannot substitute for the ink stamp
- Provides additional document security
Notary Journal (Recommended):
- Not legally required for traditional notarizations
- Strongly recommended by the Secretary of State
- Provides liability protection
- Cost: $15-$30
West Virginia Notary Fees
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $10 per signature |
| Jurat | $10 per signature |
| Oath/Affirmation | $10 |
| Certifying document copies | $10 per page |
| Any other notarial act | $10 |
| Travel fees | Negotiable (agree in advance) |
Important Notes:
- These are maximum fees - you may charge less or nothing
- Travel fees must be agreed upon before travel
- Record fees in your journal if you keep one
West Virginia-Specific Requirements
Seal Requirements
Your notary seal must:
- Be an inked rubber stamp (embosser alone not acceptable)
- Be rectangular with maximum 1" x 2.5" dimensions
- Include border
- State "Official Seal"
- State "Notary Public"
- State "State of West Virginia"
- Include your exact name as on your commission
Seal Security
- Keep your seal secure at all times
- Never allow others to use your seal
- Report loss or theft to the Secretary of State within 30 days
- Destroy old seals when you receive a new commission or your seal is replaced
Journal Best Practices
If you keep a notary journal (recommended), record:
- Date and time of notarization
- Type of notarial act performed
- Description of document
- Signer's name and address
- Method of identification used
- Signer's signature (if practical)
- Fees charged
- Any relevant notes
Prohibited Acts
West Virginia notaries may NOT:
- Notarize their own signature
- Notarize when they have a direct financial interest in the transaction
- Provide legal advice or prepare legal documents
- Notarize incomplete documents
- Notarize without the signer present (except for RON)
- Use an expired seal or commission
- Charge more than maximum statutory fees
Remote Online Notarization (RON) in West Virginia
West Virginia authorized RON effective June 17, 2021 under Senate Bill 469.
Becoming a WV Remote Online Notary
To perform electronic notarization or RON:
- First obtain a traditional WV notary commission
- Submit the E-Notarization Authorization form to the Secretary of State (no additional fee)
- Select an approved RON platform from the SOS-approved list (e.g., DocVerify, Notarize)
- Complete platform-specific training as required
- Begin performing RON notarizations
RON Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Notary Location | Must be physically in West Virginia |
| Signer Location | Can be anywhere |
| Technology | SOS-approved RON platform required |
| Identity Verification | Credential analysis + KBA (or personal knowledge) |
| Communication | Live, two-way audio-video |
| Recording | Mandatory A/V recording of entire session |
| Record Retention | 5 years minimum |
Certificate Requirements for RON
Your RON certificate must include:
- Statement that the act was performed remotely
- Language: "This notarial act involved the use of communication technology"
Remote Ink Notarization (RIN)
West Virginia also permits Remote Ink Notarization:
- Signer signs paper document on camera
- Signer mails document to notary
- Notary completes notarization with ink stamp
- A/V recording required (5-year retention)
Total Cost to Become a West Virginia Notary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $52 |
| Surety Bond | $0 (not required) |
| Notary Seal/Stamp | $20-$40 |
| Journal (optional) | $15-$30 |
| Total Estimated | $72-$122 |
Additional RON Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| E-Notarization Authorization | $0 (no fee) |
| RON Platform Subscription | Varies ($15-$50/month or per use) |
| E&O Insurance (optional) | $20-$50/year |
Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Review Notary Handbook | 1-2 hours |
| Submit online application | Same day |
| Application processing | 1-2 weeks |
| Purchase supplies | Same day (online) |
| Total | 1-2 weeks |
Errors & Omissions Insurance
While not required, Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance is highly recommended:
- Protects you from liability for unintentional errors
- Typical coverage: $10,000-$25,000
- Annual cost: $20-$50
- Especially important for loan signing agents
Commission Renewal
Renewal Process:
- Apply for renewal before your commission expires
- Complete renewal application online
- Pay $52 renewal filing fee
- No continuing education required
- No exam required for renewal
- You will receive a new 5-year commission
Important: If your commission expires, you must apply as a new notary.
Changes to WV Notary Law
Recent Updates:
- June 3, 2018 - Surety bond requirement eliminated
- January 1, 2018 - High school diploma required for new applicants
- June 17, 2021 - Remote Online Notarization (RON) permanently authorized
- 2025 - Updated Notary Handbook released (September 2025 revision)
Start Your West Virginia Notary Career Today
West Virginia makes it easy and affordable to become a notary public. With no exam, no bond, and a 5-year commission term, you can start serving clients quickly.