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Key Facts: Washington Notary Exam
4 years
Washington notary commission term (tied to the surety bond)
RCW 42.45.200(5); WAC 308-30-050; Washington DOL renewal page (checked 2026-10-19)
$10,000
Required Washington notary surety bond amount
WAC 308-30-030; RCW 42.45.200(4) (checked 2026-10-19)
$15 / $25
Maximum fee per notarial act / per remote act
WAC 308-30-220, effective June 22, 2024 (checked 2026-10-19)
10 years
Required retention period for the notary journal
RCW 42.45.180; WAC 308-30-210 (checked 2026-10-19)
Oct 1, 2020
Date remote online notarization was authorized in Washington
RCW 42.45.280 (2019 c 154, effective October 1, 2020; checked 2026-10-19)
No exam
Washington requires no mandatory state notary exam or course
Washington DOL Notary FAQs; RCW 42.45.200 (checked 2026-10-19)
A Washington notary public commission lasts four years and is tied to a required $10,000 surety bond filed with the Department of Licensing. There is no mandatory state exam; you apply, bond, and pay a $40 fee ($55 with the electronic endorsement). Maximum fees are $15 per notarial act and $25 per remote act, a journal must be kept and retained for 10 years, and remote online notarization has been authorized since October 1, 2020.
Sample Washington Notary Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Washington Notary exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which Washington state agency commissions notaries public and regulates them under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts?
2How long is a Washington notary public commission valid?
3Does Washington require an applicant to pass a written state notary examination before being commissioned?
4What is the minimum age to become a notary public in Washington?
5Which of the following satisfies Washington's residency/presence requirement for a notary applicant?
6What surety bond amount must a Washington notary applicant obtain and file with the Department of Licensing?
7What is the maximum fee a Washington notary may charge for a single tangible (paper) notarial act, such as taking an acknowledgment?
8What is the maximum fee a Washington notary may charge to perform a remote notarial act using communication technology?
9Which statement about the Washington notary journal is correct?
10Which element is NOT required to appear on a Washington notary's official stamp?
About the Washington Notary Exam
Washington commissions notaries public through the Department of Licensing under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (Chapter 42.45 RCW). Washington does not require a notary exam, but prospective notaries must master notarial acts, identification, journal and seal rules, fees, and remote notarization. This free practice test covers the body of law every Washington notary must know.
Exam sponsor: Washington State Department of Licensing. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Question count not published by the exam provider
Time Limit
No time limit (self-paced practice)
Passing Score
No state exam; practice for mastery of Washington notary law
Exam / Certification Fees
$40 application ($55 with electronic records endorsement)
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Qualifications & Commissioning
Eligibility (18+, Washington resident or employed in Washington, read/write English), the four-year commission term, applying to the Department of Licensing, renewal, and why Washington requires no notary exam or course.
Notarial Acts & Certificate Wording
Distinguishing acknowledgments from jurats, oaths and affirmations, signature witnessing, copy certification, and the short-form certificates set out in RCW 42.45.140 and 42.45.130.
Identification & Personal Appearance
Personal-appearance rules, satisfactory evidence of identity, credible witnesses, name discrepancies, and lawful grounds to refuse a notarization under RCW 42.45.040 through 42.45.060.
Journal, Seal & Fees
The mandatory journal and 10-year retention rule, required journal fields, official stamp elements and reproducibility, stamp security, and the $15 and $25 maximum fees in WAC 308-30-220.
Electronic & Remote Notarization
Electronic records notary endorsement, remote online notarization under RCW 42.45.280, audio-visual technology standards, identity proofing, and 10-year recording retention.
Prohibited Acts, UPL & Discipline
Beneficial-interest conflicts, unauthorized practice of law and the advertising disclaimer, the $10,000 bond and personal liability, and grounds for denial or revocation under RCW 42.45.210.
Preparing for the Washington Notary Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No state exam; practice for mastery of Washington notary law
- Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
- Time limit: No time limit (self-paced practice)
- Exam / certification fees: $40 application ($55 with electronic records endorsement) Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 200 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Washington Notary: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Washington require a notary exam?
No. Washington does not require a written notary examination or a mandatory education course. To be commissioned, you must be at least 18, be a Washington resident or employed in Washington, read and write English, obtain a $10,000 surety bond, and file an application with the Department of Licensing.
How long is a Washington notary commission valid?
A Washington notary commission is valid for four years. The expiration date is tied to the four-year term of the required surety bond, so you must keep the bond in force for the full term and renew before it expires.
What bond does a Washington notary need?
Washington requires a $10,000 surety bond filed with the Department of Licensing. The bond protects the public from financial loss caused by a notary's negligence or misconduct; the notary must reimburse the surety for any paid claims. Errors-and-omissions insurance is optional.
What are the maximum notary fees in Washington?
Under WAC 308-30-220 (effective June 22, 2024), a Washington notary may charge a maximum of $15 per notarial act and a maximum of $25 for a remote notarial act performed using communication technology. Fees are maximums, so a notary may charge less or waive the fee entirely; an agreed travel fee may be added if the notary explains it is not required by law.
Is remote online notarization legal in Washington?
Yes. Remote online notarization has been authorized in Washington since October 1, 2020, under RCW 42.45.280. The notary must hold an electronic records notary endorsement and a separate remote endorsement, must be physically located in Washington, and must tell the Department of Licensing which communication technology and identity proofing they will use before the first remote act.
Does Washington require a notary journal?
Yes. RCW 42.45.180 requires every Washington notary to keep a journal chronicling all notarial acts and to retain it for ten years after the last entry. For remote acts, the audio-visual recording must also be retained for at least ten years.