How to Become a Washington Notary in 2026
Washington requires a $10,000 surety bond, a mandatory bound journal, and your applicant oath notarized before submission. RON available since 2020. Seattle/Bellevue NSAs earn $125–$200/signing — one of the highest-paying markets in the US.
Commission Cost
~$125 – $200
NSA-Ready Cost
~$390 – $815
Seattle Signing Fee
$125 – $200
Commission Term
4 years
Applicant Oath form must be notarized before submission
Before submitting your application, Form NP-659-009 (Notary Public Applicant Oath) must be notarized by another commissioned Washington notary. Build in time to find a local notary or signing service. One-time requirement for initial applicants.
Mandatory physical bound journal with numbered pages
Washington requires a physical, bound journal kept locked under your exclusive control. Must record every notarial act with signer details, ID method, and fee. Retain for 10 years after last entry.
Best Washington Notary Training Programs (2026)
1. NNA (Washington Package)Best All-in-One
Washington commission packages include the $10,000 bond, seal stamp, mandatory bound journal, and NNA Hotline. Most complete WA package. Verify current pricing at nationalnotary.org/washington/become-a-notary.
Verify
at NNA
2. Loan Signing System (LSS)Best NSA Training
#1 rated NSA training — 100,000+ students. Seattle/Bellevue is one of the highest-paying NSA markets in the US ($125-$200/signing). $347 one-time or 4x$97/mo.
$347
Six Figure
3. NNA NSA CertificationIndustry Standard
Background check + NSA certification required by most Seattle and Eastside title companies. $199 (background + training) or $299 (adds NNA membership).
$199
or $299
Best Washington Notary Training Programs
All 2 schools are Washington Washington Department of Licensing-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
NNA NSA Certification
Industry Standard CredentialStarting at
$199
- Industry-standard background check required by most title companies
- NSA Certification Training and Exam (80%+ passing)
- Listing on SigningAgent.com directory included
- Mark Wills recommends getting BOTH LSS certification AND NNA certification
Available Packages (2)
Background Screening + Training
- Background Screening (required by mortgage industry)
- NSA Certification Training and Exam
- Listing on SigningAgent.com
Loan Signing System (LSS) - Mark Wills
Best NSA Training CourseStarting at
$347
- #1 rated NSA training course - 100,000+ students nationwide
- Seattle/Bellevue is one of the highest-paying NSA markets in the US ($125-$200/signing)
- Includes LSS Certification recognized by title companies
- 4 months LIVE 1:1 mentorship + biweekly coaching calls
- 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days
Available Packages (1)
Six Figure Course
- NSA Training + LSS Certification
- 9-Step Notary Business Blueprint
- Video walkthroughs of all 5 loan signing types
- 4 months mentorship + coaching calls
- 300+ companies hiring signing agents
- Payment plan: 4 x /month
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
Washington Notary — Key Requirements
Washington notaries are regulated by the WA Department of Licensing (DOL) under RCW 42.45. Four things that make Washington different from most states:
$10,000 surety bond required
~$40-$70 for 4-year term
New bond required at each renewal
Mandatory bound journal
Physical, numbered pages, locked
10-year retention required
Applicant oath must be notarized
By another WA notary first
One-time; initial applicants only
Seattle/Eastside premium market
$125-$200+ per signing
Tech industry drives high home values
How Much Do Washington Notary Signing Agents Earn?
Seattle/Eastside Premium
$125 – $200+
Per loan signing appointment
Full-Time Seattle NSA
$75K – $120K+
High-volume operators
RON Signing
$100 – $150
Remote; no travel cost
| Market | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Seattle Metro (King County) | $125 – $200+ |
| Eastside (Bellevue/Redmond) | $125 – $200+ |
| Tacoma / Pierce County | $100 – $175 |
| Spokane / Vancouver WA | $75 – $150 |
Washington has no state income tax
Washington has no state personal income tax. For a self-employed NSA earning $75,000/year, this saves approximately $4,000-$6,000 compared to neighboring Oregon or California. Combined with Seattle's premium signing fees, WA is one of the best net-income states for signing agents in the Western US.
How to Become a Washington Notary — Step by Step
Get Notary Applicant Oath (Form NP-659-009) notarized by another WA notary
Before submitting your application, the Applicant Oath form must be notarized by another commissioned Washington notary. Find a local notary or use a signing service. One-time requirement for initial applicants — renewals skip this step.
Obtain $10,000 surety bond from a WA-licensed insurer
Bond must cover the full 4-year commission term. Cost: ~$40-$70 from NNA or bond companies. A new bond is required at each renewal. NNA packages include the bond bundled with supplies.
Apply online via SecureAccess Washington and pay $40
Apply online or by mail to the Washington Department of Licensing. No education or exam required. Allow at least 30 days for DOL review. Print commission certificate when approved (or pay $5 for mailed copy).
Purchase mandatory bound journal and notary seal
Physical bound journal with numbered pages is mandatory — keep it locked. Record every notarial act with date, time, signer details, ID method, and fee. Retain for 10 years. Notary seal is required and must be photographically reproducible.
Add NSA training for Seattle and Bellevue loan signing income
Loan Signing System ($347) for comprehensive NSA training + NNA background check ($199 — required by Seattle/Eastside title companies) + E&O insurance ($100,000, ~$100-$250/yr). Consider the $15 RON endorsement for additional remote signing income.
Washington Notary Requirements at a Glance
Commission Requirements
- Age 18+; WA resident or WA-employed
- $10,000 surety bond (WA-licensed insurer)
- Applicant Oath form notarized by another WA notary
- $40 application fee
- No education or exam required
- Mandatory physical bound journal (10-yr retention)
- 4-year commission (120-day renewal window)
Regulator + RON
- Agency: Washington Department of Licensing (DOL)
- Website: dol.wa.gov
- Statute: RCW 42.45 / WAC 308-30
- Per-act cap: $15 (updated June 22, 2024); NSA service fees uncapped
- RON: Since Oct 1, 2020; $15 e-endorsement; DOL notification required
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Frequently Asked Questions — Washington Notary
How do I become a notary in Washington state?
Obtain a $10,000 surety bond from a Washington-licensed insurer, complete and have notarized the Notary Public Applicant Oath form (NP-659-009), submit your application online through SecureAccess Washington or by mail with the $40 fee, and allow at least 30 days for DOL review. Purchase a mandatory physical bound journal and notary seal. No education or exam required.
Does Washington require a surety bond?
Yes. Washington requires a $10,000 surety bond covering the full 4-year commission term from a Washington-licensed insurer. Bond cost is typically $40-$70 for the 4-year term. A new bond is required at each renewal. Washington also requires the Notary Applicant Oath form to be notarized by another Washington notary before submission.
What is Washington's mandatory journal requirement?
Washington requires notaries to maintain a physical, bound journal with numbered pages kept in a locked, secured area under the notary's exclusive control. Journal entries must include: date/time, type of notarization, document description, signer full name and address, ID method used, fee charged, and RON notation if applicable. Journals must be retained for 10 years after the last entry.
Does Washington require the applicant oath to be notarized?
Yes. Before submitting your application, the Notary Public Applicant Oath form (NP-659-009) must be notarized by another commissioned Washington notary. This is a one-time requirement for initial applicants — build in time to find a local notary or signing service before submission.
How long is a Washington notary commission?
A Washington state notary commission lasts 4 years. Renewal can begin up to 120 days before expiration via the online DOL portal. If your commission expires, you must reapply as a new applicant — there is no late renewal option. Renewal fee: $42 (or $57 with the electronic notary endorsement).
How much does it cost to become a Washington notary?
Basic commission: ~$125-$200 ($40 application + $40-$70 bond + $25-$50 seal + $20-$40 mandatory journal). NSA-ready total: ~$390-$815 (add LSS training $347, NNA background check $65, E&O insurance $100-$250/yr). RON endorsement: add $15 for the electronic notary commission.
What is the per-act fee cap in Washington?
Washington increased its per-act maximum fee to $15 effective June 22, 2024. This applies to individual notarial acts for traditional notarizations. This cap does not limit NSA signing agent service fees for facilitating complete loan closing packages ($100-$200+ per appointment in Seattle/Bellevue).
How much do Washington notary signing agents earn?
Seattle and the Eastside (Bellevue/Redmond) are among the highest-paying NSA markets in the US due to extremely high home values. Typical signing fees: $125-$200 in Seattle/Eastside; $100-$175 in Tacoma and Spokane. Full-time Seattle-area NSAs with direct title company relationships earn $75,000-$120,000+ annually.
Does Washington support Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
Yes. Washington has permitted RON since October 1, 2020. To perform RON, you need an active Washington notary commission plus a separate electronic notary endorsement ($15). You must notify DOL of your RON technology provider within 30 days of starting RON services. An audio-visual recording of every online notarization is required.
How do Washington NSAs get clients?
Most Washington NSAs start with Snapdocs, Notary Rotary, 123Notary, and SigningOrder. The Seattle Metro (King County) and Eastside (Bellevue/Redmond) are the highest-volume and highest-paying markets. Building direct relationships with local title companies in Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma produces the most consistent signing income. Tacoma/JBLM also has strong military refinancing demand.
Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources:
Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board before enrolling or submitting any application. Learn how we source our data.