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How to Become a Notary in Oregon

To become a notary in Oregon, you must:

  1. Meet the eligibility requirements listed in the next section.
  2. Take a course of study. At the completion of the course, you will receive instructions to print ​your training course certificate and retrieve your education number. You will need the education number to take the exam.
  3. Complete an online notary public application and pass the online exam on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website.
  4. Print the Notary Public Commission Application populated with your information and sign the oath of office section before a notary.
  5. Mail the signed notary application along with a $40 application fee to the secretary of state. If you fail to mail the application within thirty days of its issuance, you will need to re-apply and submit the application fee again).

Once you are approved as a notary, you will be notified via email by the secretary of state to download and print your certificate of authorization and commission certificate. You will need the certificate of authorization to order an official notary stamp. (Use the same certificate to obtain an electronic notarization technology, if applicable.)

Visit the Oregon Secretary of State’s website for more information on how to become a notary in Oregon.

Note: You can apply by mail by downloading a Notary Public Commission Application from the secretary of state’s website.

Who can become a notary public in Oregon?

To become a notary in Oregon, a notary applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:    

  1. Be at least 18 years of age.
  2. Be a resident of Oregon or have a place of employment or practice in Oregon.
  3. Be able to read and write English.
  4. Not have been convicted of a felony or of any crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit during the ten-year period preceding the date of application.
  5. Not have been convicted of:
     • acting as or otherwise impersonating a notary public as described in ORS 194.990 (1)(b);
     • obstructing governmental or judicial administration under ORS 162.235 (1)(b); or
     • engaging in the unlawful practice of law as described in ORS 9.160.
  6. Not have been found by a court to have:
     • practiced law without a license in a suit under ORS 9.166; or
    ​ • engaged in an unlawful trade practice described in ORS 646.608 (1)(vvv).​
  7. Not have entered into an assurance of voluntary compliance, pursuant to ORS 646.632, based on an alleged violation of ORS 646.608 (1)(vvv).
  8. Not have had a notary public commission revoked during the ten-year period preceding the application date.
  9. Not be disqualified under ORS 194.340 to receive a commission.

This Oregon notary guide will help you understand:

  1. Who can become a notary in Oregon.
  2. How to become a notary in Oregon.
  3. ​How to register to perform in person electronic notarizations in Oregon.
  4. How to register to perform remote online notarizations in Oregon.
  5. The basic duties of a notary in Oregon.
Apply Online Renew Online

How do I renew my notary commission in Oregon?

To renew your Oregon notary commission, follow the same steps you took when you applied to become a notary the first time. An Oregon notary public may apply for reappointment as a notary public within thirty days before the expiration of their current notarial commission. The Oregon Secretary of State does not send out renewal notices. Oregon notaries with active notarial commissions are exempt from the training course requirement if they pass the exam and submit their applications before their current commissions expire. A notary application for reappointment that is received after the commission expiration date will be processed as a new application for appointment as a notary public and will require the applicant to take the training course again.

To apply for reappointment as a notary public, go to the Secretary of State's website at https://sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/commission-reapplication.aspx.

Who appoints notaries in Oregon?

The Oregon Secretary of States receives applications for appointment and reappointment as a notary public, administers the commissioning process, and maintains an electronic database of active notaries.

Oregon Secretary of State
Corporation Division
Notary Section
255 Capitol Street N.E., Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327
Phone Number: (503) 986-2200
Fax Number: (503) 986-2300

Can a non-resident of Oregon apply for a commission as a notary public?

Yes. A non-resident notary applicant may apply to become an Oregon notary public if they:

  1. Have a place of employment or practice in Oregon.
  2. Satisfy the same qualifications as Oregon residents, setting aside the residency requirements.

How long is a notary public's commission term in Oregon?

The commission term of an Oregon notary public is four years. A notary cannot notarize documents after their notary commission expires without first renewing their notary commission with the secretary of state.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Oregon?

All first-time applicants seeking a notary public commission are required to complete a mandatory training course [ORS 194.315(2)(j)].

To satisfy the education course requirement, an individual can take an in-person seminar or complete an online training course. The mandatory training courses are offered and conducted by the Oregon Secretary of State at no charge. Individuals may also take a course through an approved certified education provider for a fee.

Oregon notaries with active notary commissions are exempt from the training requirement if they complete and pass the notary exam and submit their notary applications before their notary commission expiration dates. The secretary of state encourages renewing notaries to take the free tutorial or attend a class. Click here to complete a training course or to register to take the training course to stay up to date with new laws and administrative rules.

New notary applicants and renewing notaries are required to take and pass the notary public examination. The exam is an open-book, true/false and multiple-choice test based on materials found in the Oregon Notary Public Guide, live webinars, or online tutorials. Click here to take the online exam.

The secretary of state also offers notary advanced classes and notary advance webinar presentations that discuss employee notary issues, notario, elder abuse fraud, challenging notarial certificates, and electronic notarizations, among other topics for those who are experienced, commissioned notaries public. The advanced notary classes do not satisfy the mandatory training requirement.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Oregon?

The cost to become a notary in Oregon includes:

  1. Tuition for a notary training course if the notary chooses to take a course offered by an approved certified education provider. Note: The Oregon Secretary of State offers a free online training course.
  2. A $40 application fee to process an application for appointment or reappointment as a notary public.
  3. A fee to take your oath of office before a notary public.

Other expenses include the cost of purchasing:

  • An Oregon notary stamp. Click here to view our notary stamp prices.
  • An Oregon notary journal. Click here to view our notary journal prices.
  • An errors and omissions insurance policy (optional). This insurance policy is designed to protect you if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you.

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Oregon?

A notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not required to become an Oregon notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Oregon notary obtain a notary E&O insurance policy. A notary E&O policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage you select as an Oregon notary public.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Oregon?

No. Oregon does not require you to provide proof of a notary bond in order to become a notary public or to renew your notary public commission.

A notary public is liable to any person for damages that result from their negligence, errors, or omissions. Oregon notaries are encouraged to purchase a notary E&O insurance policy to insure themselves against unintentional mistakes.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Oregon?

Oregon notary law requires all Oregon notaries public to use a notary stamp to authenticate notarial acts they perform [except as stated in ORS 194.280 (8)].

The Oregon notary stamp must contain the state seal, as described in ORS 186.020, and the following words, in descending order, centered in the official stamp to the right of the state seal:

  1. The words “Official Stamp.”
  2. The printed name of the notary public.
  3. The words “Notary Public — Oregon.”
  4. The words “Commission No.” immediately followed by the notary public’s commission number.
  5. The words “My Commission Expires” immediately followed by the notary public’s commission expiration date expressed in terms of the month (spelled out), two-digit date, and complete year.

Note:

  • The Oregon notary statute does not specify the dimensions for the official stamp.
  • An official stamp must make a legible imprint capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed or attached or with which it is logically associated [ORS 194.290 (1)(b) and OAR 60-100-0120 (2)].
  • A notary stamp may be in any color of ink (black and dark blue are recommended by the secretary of state).
  • A notary public may use an embosser in the performance of a notarial act but only in addition to the notary public’s official stamp [OAR 160-100-0130].

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and seals at savings of up to 40% compared to the cost of the same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Oregon notary stamp, notary seal, complete notary package, and other notary supplies.

What are the steps to replace a lost or stolen Oregon notary seal?

If your notary stamping device is lost, misplaced, broken, or stolen, you are required to:

  1. Complete a Missing Stamp, Certificate, or Journal form.
  2. Sign the form in the presence of a notary.
  3. Mail the form to the secretary of state within ten days after discovering that the stamping device was lost, misplaced, stolen, or otherwise rendered unavailable.
  4. Purchase a new official notary stamp after you receive a new certificate of authorization from the secretary of state.

Note: If you subsequently reacquire possession of the lost, misplaced, or stolen stamping device, then you must file with the Oregon Secretary of State a written statement of explanation within ten days after the date you reacquired possession of the lost, misplaced, or stolen stamping device.

How much can an Oregon notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

Oregon notary fees are set by state notary laws (ORS 194.400 and OAR 160- 100-0400).

Traditional Notarizations and Electronic Notarizations - An Oregon notary public shall not charge, attempt to charge, or receive a notary fee that is more than $10 per notarial act.

Remote Online Notarizations - Oregon notaries performing remote online notarizations shall not charge, attempt to charge, or receive a notary fee that is more than $25 per notarial act.

Note:

  • ORS 194.400(2) allows notaries to charge an additional fee for traveling to perform a notarial act if:

    1.  The notary explains to the person requesting the notarial act that the fee is in addition to a fee specified by notary law and is in an amount not determined by law.
    2.  The person requesting the notarial act agrees in advance upon the amount of the additional fee.
     
  • If a notary public charges fees pursuant to OAR 160-100-0400 for performing notarial acts, the notary public shall display, in English, a list of the fees they will charge in a conspicuous location in their place of business or give a copy of the notice to any person requesting a notarial act to read before having the notarial act performed (OAR 160-100-0410). A place of business is defined as the notary’s residence, business office, or any other location in which the notary public performs a notarial act.
  • A notary public may file with the Oregon Secretary of State a statement waiving the right to charge a notarial fee (OAR 160-100-0420). If a written statement of waiver (Notary Information Change online form) is filed, the notary public shall:

    1.  Not charge, attempt to charge, or receive any notary fee for a notarial act performed after the date the notary filed the statement of waiver.
    2. Not display a list of notarial fees otherwise required by OAR 160-100-0410.

    To resume charging a fee for notarial acts, the notary public must file with the Oregon Secretary of State a written statement withdrawing the statement of waiver and must comply with the requirements of OAR 160-100-0400 and 160-100-0410.

Is a notary journal required in Oregon?

Notary journal requirements for each type of notarization in Oregon:

  • Traditional Notarizations and In Person Electronic Notarizations (IPENs) – Oregon notaries are required to maintain a notarial journal. The only notarial acts required to be record in the notary journal are witnessing signatures and acknowledgments (individual and representative capacity), but the secretary of state strongly recommends that all notarial acts be recorded in the journal. All notaries public must keep and maintain one or more journals, even if the notarizations normally performed fall under the exempt status. The notarial journal may be in electronic or paper format. If the journal is maintained on a tangible medium, it must be a permanent, bound register with numbered pages and comply with the rules of the secretary of state. If the journal is maintained in an electronic format, it must be in a permanent, tamper-evident electronic format complying with the rules of the secretary of state.
  • Remote Online Notarizations (RONs) – Oregon notaries are required to maintain an electronic notary journal. The only notarial acts required to be recorded in the notary journal are witnessing signatures and acknowledgments (individual and representative capacity), but the secretary of state strongly recommends that all notarial acts be recorded in the journal. All notaries public must keep and maintain one or more journals, even if the notarizations normally performed fall under the exempt status. The electronic journal must be in a permanent, tamper-evident electronic format complying with the rules of the secretary of state.

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery or fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices.

The American Association of Notaries offers notary journals in tangible and electronic formats.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

Click here to become a member and access our electronic notary journal.

What information must Oregon notaries record in their notary journals?

Oregon notaries performing traditional notarizations, in person electronic notarizations, and remote online notarizations are required to chronicle in a notary journal the following information:

  1. The date and time of the notarial act.
  2. A description of the record, if any, and type of notarial act.
  3. The full name and contact address of each individual for whom the notarial act is performed.
  4. If identity of the individual is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect.
  5. If identity of the individual is based on satisfactory evidence, a brief description of the method of identification and the identification credential presented, if any, including the date of expiration of any identification credential. Do NOT record personal numbers such as a driver’s license, Social Security, or passport numbers in your journal.
  6. The signature of each individual for whom the notarial act is performed.
  7. The fee, if any, charged by the notary public.

Note: The above requirements apply to both tangible and electronic notary journals.

What steps should I take if my Oregon notary journal is lost or stolen?

If your notary journal is lost, misplaced, destroyed, stolen, or otherwise rendered unusable, follow the steps listed below:

  1. Complete a Missing Stamp, Certificate, or Journal form.
  2. Sign the form in the presence of a notary.
  3. Mail the form to the secretary of state.
  4. Purchase a new notary journal.

Note: If you subsequently reacquire possession of the lost, misplaced, or stolen notary journal, then you must file with the Oregon Secretary of State a written statement of explanation within ten days after the date you reacquired possession of the lost, misplaced, or stolen journal.

How long should I retain my Oregon notary journal?

An Oregon notary public must retain tangible and electronic notary journals for ten years after the last notarial act recorded in the notary journal. However, because it is the only record of the notarization and because the statute of limitations can be uncertain, the Oregon Secretary of State encourages retaining the journal for a longer period of time if the documents that were notarized have a longer lifespan than ten years. (For example, wills, financial documents, mortgages, and other recorded real property papers may be active records for decades.)

Where can I perform notarial acts in Oregon?

Oregon notaries are authorized to perform notarial acts while physically located anywhere within the geographic borders of the state of Oregon.

What notarial acts can an Oregon notary public perform?

An Oregon notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts [ORS 194.215(8)]:   

  1. Taking acknowledgments.
  2. Administering oaths or affirmations.
  3. Taking verifications on oath or affirmation.
  4. Witnessing or attesting signatures.
  5. Certifying or attesting a copies.
  6. Making, noting, or recording protests of negotiable instruments.
  7. Any other act, whether performed with respect to a tangible or electronic record, that a notarial officer may perform under the laws of Oregon.

What kind of notarizations are allowed in Oregon?

Oregon law allows the following three types of notarizations:

Traditional Notarizations – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. Traditional notarization involves an individual signing a tangible document with an inked pen and a notary public signing and affixing an inked notary stamp impression to the tangible notarial certificate.

In Person Electronic Notarizations (IPEN) – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. However, the notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary stamp, and an electronic notarial certificate.

Remote Online Notarizations (RONs) – The signer appears remotely before a notary via communication technology. The notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary stamp, and an electronic notarial certificate.

What are the steps to register to perform electronic notarizations in Oregon?

To register to perform in person electronic notarizations in Oregon, you must:

  1. Be a commissioned Oregon notary public.
  2. ​Contract with a reputable vendor whose technology meets the National Electronic Notarization Standards.
  3. Acquire an electronic notary stamp, electronic notary signature, and electronic notarial certificate.
  4. Submit an Electronic Notarization Notice on the secretary of state’s website.

Once the notice is approved, you will receive a confirmation email from the secretary of state.

Click here for more information on in person electronic notarizations.

What are the steps to register to perform remote online notarizations in Oregon?

To register to perform remote online notarizations in Oregon, you must:

  1. Be a commissioned Oregon notary public.
  2. Complete the required Remote Online Notarization Training on the secretary of state’s website.
  3. ​Contract with a remote online notary vendor that meets the requirements under OAR 160-100-0805 and OAR 160-100-0855. Click here to view a list of RON vendors.  The vendor that you select will provide training on how to use their platform. 
  4. Acquire an electronic notary stamp and electronic notary signature.
  5. Complete and email a Remote Online Notarization Notice form and Sample Certificate to the secretary of state.

Once your request is approved, you will receive authorization from the secretary of state to perform remote online notarizations.

Click here for more information on remote online notarizations.

How do I update my address on my Oregon notary commission?

An Oregon notary public must notify the Oregon Secretary of State within thirty days of a change of public record address or, if not a resident of Oregon, a change in place of employment or practice in Oregon (OAR 160-100-0170).

A notary public can update their address by completing a Notary Information Change Online form on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website. No fee will be assessed for updating a notary’s public record address information.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Oregon?

When an Oregon notary public has a legal name change, the notary is required by law to notify the Oregon Secretary of State within thirty days after the change (OAR 160-100-0170). To change your name on your notary commission, you must:

  1. Complete a Notary Information Change - Name/Signature form.
  2. Sign the form in the presence of a notary public.
  3. Submit the form to the secretary of state within thirty days of your name change.

After submitting the Notary Information Change - Name/Signature form, be aware that:

  • This will change your commission number by adding a letter prefix.
  • You will receive a new commission certificate and certificate of authorization.
  • You are required to purchase a new official stamp with your new name.
  • You must sign notarial certificates with your new official notary signature.

Revised:

February 2024

Legal disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. We do not claim to be attorneys and we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. You should always seek the advice of a licensed attorney for any legal matters. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate notary laws governing your state. In no event shall the American Association of Notaries, its employees, or contractors be liable to you for any claims, penalties, losses, damages, or expenses, howsoever arising, including, and without limitation, direct or indirect loss, or consequential loss, out of or in connection with the use of the information contained on any of the American Association of Notaries website pages. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of their state’s notary authorities or attorneys if they have legal questions. 

Notary bonds and errors and omissions insurance policies provided by this insurance agency, American Association of Notaries, Inc., are underwritten by Western Surety Company, Universal Surety of America, or Surety Bonding Company of America, which are subsidiaries of CNA Surety.