How to Become a Notary in West Virginia (2026 Guide)
Key Takeaways
- No surety bond required (eliminated in 2018 by HB 4207)
- No exam or training course required
- Application fee: $52 | Commission term: 5 years
- Must be 18+, a WV resident, and able to read/write English
- RON available since June 2021
- Journal recommended but not required
Becoming a West Virginia notary takes three steps and about $77 to $127: read the state’s notary law, apply online with the Secretary of State for $52, and buy your stamp once the commission certificate arrives. There is no exam, no training course, and no bond, the $1,000 surety bond was eliminated in 2018. Most applicants are commissioned within two to four weeks.
A notary commission is not one business. It’s five.
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Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a West Virginia resident
- Be able to read and write English
- Have no felony convictions (unless rights restored)
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Read West Virginia Notary Law
West Virginia requires all applicants to read the “Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts” (West Virginia Code §39-4). You will sign an oath on the application confirming you have read and understood the law. This is the only educational requirement in the state.
Step 2: Submit Your Application Online
Complete the notary application through the West Virginia Secretary of State. The process is fully online. Pay the $52 filing fee. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Step 3: Receive Your Commission and Buy Supplies
Once approved, you will receive your commission certificate. Purchase a notary stamp (required) and a journal (recommended). Stamps cost $15-$25, journals $10-$50. Your stamp must include your name, “Notary Public,” “State of West Virginia,” and your commission expiration date. You can start notarizing once you have your stamp and certificate.
Costs to Get Commissioned
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application fee (Secretary of State) | $52 |
| Notary stamp | $15-$25 |
| Notary journal (recommended) | $10-$50 |
| Total | $77-$127 |
How Much You Can Charge
West Virginia sets a maximum fee of $5 per notarial act. You may also charge a reasonable travel fee for mobile services if agreed upon in advance with the signer.
Authorized Notarial Acts
- Take acknowledgments
- Administer oaths and affirmations
- Take verifications on oath or affirmation
- Witness or attest signatures
- Certify copies of documents
- Note protests of negotiable instruments
Notary Stamp Requirements
West Virginia requires a notary stamp or seal. It must include your name as it appears on your commission, “Notary Public,” “State of West Virginia,” and your commission expiration date. You cannot perform notarizations without your stamp.
Notarizing for Family Members
West Virginia has no flat ban on notarizing for family, but it does bar you from acting on any record to which you or your spouse is a party, or in which either of you has a direct beneficial interest (W. Va. Code §39-4-4(b)). In practice that rules out most family financial documents. When in doubt, send the signer to an uninvolved notary.
Errors and Omissions Insurance
Not required, but recommended. Since West Virginia eliminated its bond requirement, there is no financial protection for the public or for you. E&O insurance covers you personally if you are sued for a notary error. Policies typically run $30-$100 per year for $25,000-$100,000 in coverage from notary-specialty insurers.
Penalties for Misconduct
Notarizing without authority is a misdemeanor, and fraud or forgery in connection with a notarial act brings felony charges. Beyond criminal exposure, the Secretary of State can revoke your commission for cause at any time, and you remain personally liable in a civil suit for damages your errors cause. Employers who pressure a notary into cutting corners can share that liability.
Your Commission Belongs to You
A West Virginia commission is personal. If you change jobs, your seal, journal, and commission go with you; an employer has no claim on them and cannot restrict your notary services to company business.
Renewal
West Virginia notary commissions last 5 years. Renew through the Secretary of State. You may apply for renewal no earlier than 60 days before your commission expires. The Secretary of State sends a reminder before expiration, but it is your responsibility to renew on time.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
West Virginia authorized remote online notarization in June 2021. To perform RON, you must hold an active WV notary commission and register with the Secretary of State. You must also use an approved RON technology provider. Check the Secretary of State’s website for the current list of approved providers.
Becoming a Signing Agent
West Virginia is not an attorney-closing state, so signing agents can handle loan document signings without attorney involvement. The Eastern Panhandle (Martinsburg, Charles Town) is the strongest market in the state, driven by DC-area buyers priced out of Virginia and Maryland. Signing fees typically run $75-$150 per appointment. For training recommendations, see our guide to becoming a notary signing agent.
How West Virginia Compares to Neighboring States
| Requirement | West Virginia | Virginia | Pennsylvania | Ohio | Maryland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bond | None | None | $10,000 | None | None |
| Exam | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Training | No | No | 3 hours | Vendor course | Yes |
| Term | 5 years | 4 years | 4 years | 5 years | 4 years |
| Max Fee | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 | $8 |
| RON | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
West Virginia eliminated its bond requirement in 2018, joining Virginia and Maryland as no-bond states in the region; Pennsylvania carries a $10,000 bond under RULONA. Ohio and West Virginia share the same 5-year term. All five states now permit RON. Full guides: Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a notary exam in West Virginia?
No. The only educational requirement is reading the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts and swearing on the application that you read it. No exam, no course.
Do I need a surety bond in West Virginia?
No. The bond requirement was eliminated in 2018 by House Bill 4207. E&O insurance is recommended, not required.
How long does a West Virginia notary commission last?
5 years. You may apply for renewal no earlier than 60 days before expiration.
Is a notary journal required in West Virginia?
No, but a journal is your best protection if a notarization is ever questioned, and it costs $10 to $50.
How do I apply to become a West Virginia notary?
Apply online through the Secretary of State’s portal, pay the $52 fee, and expect commissioning in 2 to 4 weeks. Buy your stamp once the commission certificate arrives.
Updated October 2026. Requirements verified against the West Virginia Secretary of State and West Virginia Code Chapter 39, Article 4.
