How to Become a Notary in Oregon (2026 Guide)

Published February 6, 2023 · Updated May 26, 2026

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Oregon requires notary training, a state exam, and a $40 application fee, but no bond. The commission lasts 4 years and the maximum fee is $10 per notarial act. Here is the process.

Application Process

To become an Oregon notary public, you must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 18 years of age or older.
Be a resident of Oregon or have a place of employment or practice in Oregon.
Be able to read and write the English language.
Not had a notary public commission revoked during the ten years before the application date.
Complete the state of Oregon’s mandatory training course within the last six months before the application date. The notary training course is not required for current Oregon notaries who have an active commission when the new application is received in the Oregon Secretary of State’s office.
Never been convicted of a felony or any crime that involves fraud, dishonesty, or deceit during the ten years before the application date.
Pass the Oregon Secretary of State’s Notary Public examination.

Disqualifying Factors

To be an Oregon notary public, you must never have been convicted of:

Acting as or otherwise impersonating a notary public
Obstructing governmental or judicial administration
Engaging in the unlawful practice of law

In addition, you can not have been found by a court to have:

Practiced law without a license in a suit
Engaged in an unlawful trade practice

Filing Your Application

Step 1: Complete the notary training course

Step 2: Pass the notary public exam

Step 3: Submit the notary public application

Step 4: Wait for the result of the background check

Step 5: Receive your oath of office form when your application is approved. You will bring this form to a current notary to take your oath of office.

Step 6: Submit the notarized oath of office to the Oregon Secretary of State along with a $40 application fee within 30 days of receiving it.

Step 7: Once you receive your commission certificate and certificate of authorization, you’ll be able to purchase your notary stamp and notary journal and begin performing notarial acts.

Costs to Get Commissioned

The first cost is the Oregon notary application filing fee of $40.

Notary supplies can cost different amounts depending on what you buy. A notary stamp should cost $15-$25, and a notary journal should cost $10-$50.

Surety Bond Requirements

No, Oregon does not require a notary surety bond for its notaries.

E&O Insurance

Although optional, having errors and omissions insurance as a notary public is always a good idea. Errors and omissions insurance will protect you from losses due to mistakes or negligence while performing your duties. This type of insurance typically costs $50-$100 per year, depending on the amount of coverage you choose.

Exam Difficulty

The process takes about 2 months from start to finish. You need to complete a training course, pass an exam, and submit your application with a $40 fee.

Training Requirements

It depends. The Oregon Secretary of State offers a three-hour in-person course, webinar courses, and self-paced training. If you take the in-person course, it’ll take three hours, but if you take the self-paced course, you might take more than three hours to get through it, depending on how fast you go through the content.

Exam Format

To be successful in the open book examination, applicants must review the Oregon Notary Guidebook and 2013 Oregon Revised Statutes and Rules. With a maximum of four errors allowed in twenty questions, review the Oregon Notary Guidebook and Oregon Revised Statutes before taking the exam. You may retake it as many times as needed.

Timeline

This depends on the state’s queue and how long you take to complete the steps in the process. Typically, the entire process can take up to two months from start to finish.

Seal Requirements

Yes, Oregon requires notaries to have a rubber stamp seal that is legible and must contain:

The state seal, as described in ORS186.020;

The following words, in descending order, centered in the official stamp to the right of the state seal and in uppercase:

The words “OFFICIAL STAMP”
The printed name of the Oregon notary
The words “NOTARY PUBLIC-OREGON”
The words “COMMISSION NO.” immediately followed by the Oregon notary public commission number
The words “MY COMMISSION EXPIRES” immediately followed by the notary’s commission expiration date, expressed in terms of the month (spelled out), two-digit day, and four-digit year.

Certificate Requirements

The venue is the state and county where the notarization takes place. Notaries are allowed to notarize in the whole state of Oregon and in all counties.

Statement of particulars: this statement provides the details of the notarization, including

Notarization date
The name of the individual who personally appeared
Type of notarial act performed

Imprint of notary stamp

The notary’s signature, which needs to match the signature on file with the Oregon Secretary of State.

The notary’s stamp and signature can be in any color that is easy to copy. Black and dark blue are recommended colors.

All elements of the notarial certificate must be located on a single page.

Fee Schedule

A notary can charge up to $10 per signature for each notarial act. They may charge less than this, but not more. If they charge a fee, they should be fair about it and charge the same amount to everyone.

Remote Online Notarization

Yes, Oregon does allow remote online notarization (RON). The notary must have a current Oregon notary commission, have an approved system for hosting RONs, and must meet all the requirements of state law. The notary must also complete a training course, submit a form to the Secretary of State and have it approved before performing electronic notarizations.

Becoming a Signing Agent

To become a signing agent in Oregon, you must first be a commissioned notary public. Once you have your commission, you can become a certified Notary Signing Agent by taking an additional training course that specializes in starting and marketing your business and the loan signing process. After that, you can market your services to businesses and people who need a signing agent.

Oregon Fee Schedule

Oregon sets a maximum fee of $10 per notarial act. You must provide a fee schedule upon request.

Notarizing for Family Members

Oregon does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. You cannot notarize a document in which you have a direct financial interest.

Penalties for Notary Misconduct

Notarizing without authority: misdemeanor
Fraud or forgery: felony charges
Commission revocation, the Secretary of State can revoke your commission
Civil liability. You can be held personally liable for damages

Employer Obligations

Your commission is personal. It cannot be controlled by your employer
If you leave your job, your stamp goes with you
Your employer cannot require you to skip proper procedures

How Oregon Compares to Neighboring States

Requirement	Oregon	Washington	California	Nevada
Bond	None	$10,000	$15,000	$10,000
Exam	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Training	Yes	No	6 hours	Yes
Term	4 years	4 years	4 years	4 years
Max Fee	$10	$10	$15	$15
Journal	Required	Required	Required	Required
RON	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Oregon is the only Pacific coast state with no bond requirement. California has the highest barriers (6-hour course + $15,000 bond). Oregon and Washington both cap fees at $10. All four states require journals and permit RON.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a notary exam in Oregon?

Yes. Oregon requires a 20-question open-book exam. You may retake it if needed.

Do I need a surety bond in Oregon?

No. Oregon does not require a surety bond.

How long does an Oregon notary commission last?

4 years. There is no renewal process; you must reapply.

Is a notary stamp required in Oregon?

Yes. All Oregon notaries must have an official seal.

Can Oregon notaries perform remote online notarizations?

Yes. You must complete additional training and register with the Secretary of State.

Is a notary journal required in Oregon?

Yes. Oregon notaries must maintain a journal of all notarial acts.