Notary Public Permit Requirements in Seattle, WA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you operate as an LLC/corporation or have employees. Sole proprietor notaries with no employees may use their SSN.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Washington Notary Public Commission

   Apply through the Washington Department of Licensing for a four-year notary commission. You must be at least 18, be a Washington resident or have a place of employment or practice in the state, and be able to read and write English. The application requires evidence of a $10,000 surety bond, a signed and notarised oath of office, and the fee. An electronic records notary endorsement is optional and costs extra.

   Official government source

   $40 application fee, plus $15 for the electronic notarization endorsement if you want it. Renewal is $42, or $57 with the endorsement. The surety bond premium is set by the surety company.·4–8 weeks

   $40 application fee, plus $15 for the electronic notarization endorsement if you want it. Renewal is $42, or $57 with the endorsement. The surety bond premium is set by the surety company.

   4–8 weeks

2. Washington Notary Surety Bond ($10,000)

   Washington notaries must file evidence of a $10,000 surety bond with the Department of Licensing before a commission is issued (WAC 308-30-030, RCW 42.45.200). An errors and omissions policy is optional extra protection for the notary and is not a substitute for the bond. The bond must be effective for the four-year commission term, and the commission expires on the bond's expiration date.

   Official government source

   The state charges no fee for the bond itself; the premium is set by the surety company. Budget separately for the $40 DOL application fee.·1–3 days

   The state charges no fee for the bond itself; the premium is set by the surety company. Budget separately for the $40 DOL application fee.

   1–3 days

3. Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance (Recommended)

   Washington requires notaries public to hold a $10,000 surety bond but does not require Errors & Omissions insurance. E&O is optional private coverage that protects notaries from financial loss due to unintentional mistakes; $25,000-$100,000 of coverage typically costs $40-$80/year and is often bundled by providers such as the National Notary Association.

   Official government source

   $40–$80/year·Immediate

   $40–$80/year

   Immediate

1. Seattle Business License (if operating a notary business)

   If you run a standalone notary business in Seattle - notary signing agent services, mobile notary, and the like - you generally need a Business License Tax Certificate from Seattle City Finance (License and Tax Administration). If notarisation is incidental to another job, such as attorney or bank teller, a separate certificate may not be required. When required, the certificate applies regardless of revenue; Seattle B&O tax is owed only above $2 million in annual taxable gross revenue (the threshold rose from $100,000 on January 1, 2026).

   Official government source

   $73/year if your Seattle taxable revenue is under $20,000, $147 for $20,000-$499,999.99, $667 for $500,000-$1,999,999.99, $1,604 for $2 million-$5 million, and $3,210 for more than $5 million (2026 fee schedule), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses that start July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.·You can usually print the certificate within 2-3 business days after your payment processes.

   $73/year if your Seattle taxable revenue is under $20,000, $147 for $20,000-$499,999.99, $667 for $500,000-$1,999,999.99, $1,604 for $2 million-$5 million, and $3,210 for more than $5 million (2026 fee schedule), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses that start July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.

   You can usually print the certificate within 2-3 business days after your payment processes.

Official Sources

• Washington — Notary Public Requirements
• Washington Secretary of State

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