Applicants can become an Oregon Notary Public by taking the following steps:
- Meet the state's qualifications.
- Take the training course and pass the exam.
- Complete an application.
- Receive an email with your Oath of Office.
- Print the oath and sign it in front of a Notary.
- Submit it to the Secretary of State with the $40 application fee.
- Receive your Certificate of Authorization and Commission Certificate.
- Submit your Certificate of Authorization to a maker of rubber stamps.
- Buy your Notary seal and journal.
About the Oregon Notary Process
The term of an Oregon Notary commission is four years.
Cost to Become an OR Notary
The cost to become an Oregon Notary ranges between $110 to $135, depending on where you purchase your Notary supplies.
| Expense |
Cost |
| Application fee |
$40 |
| Notarization fee (oath of office) |
$10 |
| Notary seal |
$30 |
| Notary journal |
$30 - $55 |
| Total Cost |
$110 - $135 |
Commission Processing Time
It can take four to six weeks to become commissioned as an Oregon Notary Public. This depends on your availability and the time the Secretary of State needs to process your application.
Oregon Notary Public Requirements
Learn how you can qualify for a Notary commission in the Beaver State.
Eligibility
A Notary Public applicant in Oregon must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a resident of or have a place of employment or practice in Oregon
- Be able to read and write English
- Not have been convicted of a felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit during the 10-year period preceding the date of application
- Not have had a Notary commission revoked during the 10-year period preceding the date of application
You may not qualify for an Oregon Notary Public commission if you’ve been convicted of:
- Acting as or otherwise impersonating a Notary as described in ORS 194.990.
- Obstructing governmental or judicial administration under ORS 162.235(1)(b).
- Engaging in the unauthorized practice of law as described in ORS 9.160.
You also must 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).
Notary Training
A training course must be completed within six months leading up to your exam date.
Starting January 1, 2025, Notaries who apply to renew an active commission will also be required to complete the course before taking the exam and submitting the application.
Exam
Passing an exam is required to become a Notary in Oregon. The online, open-book exam is part of the online application, which includes true-false and multiple-choice questions based on the Notary Public Guide, live seminars and online tutorials.
Application
Complete the application. A criminal background check will be performed upon submission.
Oath of Office
If your application is approved, your Oath of Office will be emailed to you.
Print the oath and sign it in front of a Notary. Submit the signed oath to the Secretary of State with the $40 application fee.
Once your oath is filed, you'll receive an email with your Certificate of Authorization and Commission Certificate.
Take your Certificate of Authorization to a rubber stamp vendor to order your official Notary seal.
Notary Supplies
Oregon Notaries must use a rubber stamp ink seal and a journal for all notarial acts for paper documents.
An embosser may be used as long as the inking stamp is used as the official seal. Purchasing more than one inking stamp at a time is allowed.
The seal must contain the following information:
- The words "Official Stamp"
- Your name as it appears on your commission
- The words "Notary Public – Oregon"
- The words "Commission No." followed by your commission number
- The words "My Commission Expires _____ (date)" (month must be spelled out completely, two digits for the date and four digits for the year)
Every Oregon Notary must keep one or more Notary Public journals in which to chronicle all notarial acts performed. The Notary must retain this public record for 10 years after the last notarial act was chronicled in the journal.
Oregon Notary Public FAQs
Below, we answer the most common questions about being an Oregon Notary.
Which state government office handles Notaries?
The Oregon Office of Secretary of State, Corporation Division - Notary Section, located in Salem, OR, is responsible for issuing Notary Public commissions.
Oregon Secretary of State
Corporation Division
255 Capitol St NE
Salem, OR 97310
May I become an Oregon Notary if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to become an Oregon Notary Public. You must, however, be a legal resident of the state or work in the state legally and meet all other application requirements.
What is a surety bond and do I need one?
Oregon Notaries are not required to purchase a surety bond. A surety bond is a financial guarantee that the Notary will fulfill their obligations to notarize in compliance with state laws. This Notary bond specifically protects the public and not the Notary.
Notaries can insure themselves against possible legal costs or damages by purchasing a separate, optional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy. Though not required by law, an E&O policy covers a Notary's legal fees and damages up to the amount of the policy.
Where will I be able to notarize?
An Oregon Notary may perform notarial acts anywhere within the state's borders.
Who can I notarize for?
Any member of the public, as long as the request meets all statutory requirements for notarization.
You're prohibited from notarizing your own signature or for your spouse. While the law doesn't specifically prohibit you from notarizing for your relatives, the state strongly advises against it.
How much can Oregon Notaries charge per notarial act?
Oregon Secretary of State sets the maximum fee Notaries may charge at $10 per notarization. An additional fee for travel may be charged as long as the signer agrees to it in advance and understands the fee is separate from the notarial act.
If you charge any fees, you must display an English-language fee schedule in your place of business or present it to signers if you're outside your place of business.
What should I do if I move or change my name?
What is the process for renewing my Notary Public commission?
The renewal process is identical to the initial application process with one exception.
Current Notaries who apply for renewal of an active commission and take the exam before January 1, 2025, are exempted from the training requirement.
Notaries who take the exam and apply for renewal on or after January 1, 2025, must have taken the state-required training within the past six months.
Renewal applications and exams should be submitted no earlier than 30 days before the commission expiration date.
How do I become an electronic Notary in Oregon?
To become an Oregon electronic notary:
- Hold an existing commission as a traditional Notary Public.
- Complete the Electronic Notarization Notice form and include a sample of your official stamp, electronic signature and electronic notarial certificate in a PDF-A format.
- Send the form and attached document in an email with the subject line "Electronic Notarization Notice" to program-services.sos@oregon.gov.
What do I need to know about remote online notarization in Oregon?
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Last updated: Dec 19, 2024