How to become a notary in Oregon
Eligibility, a course, an exam, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Oregon resident, or a resident of another state with a place of employment or practice in Oregon (non-residents may notarize only while physically in Oregon); Able to read and write English; no notary commission revoked in the past 10 years; no felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit in the past 10 years; never convicted of impersonating a notary (ORS 194.990), obstructing governmental administration (ORS 162.235(1)(b)) or unlawful practice of law (ORS 9.160); never found by a court to have practiced law without a license or engaged in the unlawful trade practice in ORS 646.608(1)(vvv).
- Take the required notary course — Mandatory 'Notary Basics' course completed within the 6 months before applying (ORS 194.315). Free from the Secretary of State via Workday Learning (self-paced online, instructor-led webinar or in-person; live sessions run about 4 hours) or from a certified provider for a fee. Since Jan 1, 2025 the Basics course is required again for every new commission, including renewals; the refresher webinar does not count.
- Pass the notary exam — Secretary of State online exam, open book, yes/no, true/false and multiple choice, taken as part of the online application; no separate exam fee stated; unlimited retakes.
- Complete the background check — Background check and revocation search run by the Secretary of State on every application (no fingerprints mentioned).
- Apply to the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division — Pay the $40 state fee. Other fees: Oath of office must be signed before a notary (that notary may charge up to $10); stamp and journal bought from private vendors; state training is free, certified private courses charge a fee.
- Take the oath and file it — After the background check clears, the SOS emails the application/oath of office PDF; sign the oath before a notary and return it with the $40 fee by mail, fax (with credit card cover sheet) or in person within 30 days of issue, or you must retest and pay again. The SOS then emails the Commission Certificate and the Certificate of Authorization used to order the stamp.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: inked official stamp with the Oregon state seal and, in uppercase, 'OFFICIAL STAMP', the notary's name, 'NOTARY PUBLIC-OREGON', 'COMMISSION NO.' plus number, and 'MY COMMISSION EXPIRES' plus date (month spelled out); ordered from a stamp vendor with the Certificate of Authorization. Journal: Required (acknowledgments and signature witnessings must be recorded; recording all acts is recommended; paper or electronic).
Notary packages & supplies
- National Notary Association — state packages: bond, seal, journal and any required training
- Notaries.com — lower-cost state packages with bond, stamp and supplies
Bond, stamp and journal in one order; check that the package matches Oregon's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Oregon notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Oregon resident, or a resident of another state with a place of employment or practice in Oregon (non-residents may notarize only while physically in Oregon) |
| Course | Required Mandatory 'Notary Basics' course completed within the 6 months before applying (ORS 194.315). Free from the Secretary of State via Workday Learning (self-paced online, instructor-led webinar or in-person; live sessions run about 4 hours) or from a certified provider for a fee. Since Jan 1, 2025 the Basics course is required again for every new commission, including renewals; the refresher webinar does not count. |
| Exam | Required Secretary of State online exam, open book, yes/no, true/false and multiple choice, taken as part of the online application; no separate exam fee stated; unlimited retakes |
| State fee | $40 |
| Other fees | Oath of office must be signed before a notary (that notary may charge up to $10); stamp and journal bought from private vendors; state training is free, certified private courses charge a fee |
| Surety bond | None No bond required in Oregon |
| E&O insurance | Optional (not required; the Secretary of State suggests considering it) |
| Background check | Background check and revocation search run by the Secretary of State on every application (no fingerprints mentioned) |
| Term | 4 years |
| Oath / filing | After the background check clears, the SOS emails the application/oath of office PDF; sign the oath before a notary and return it with the $40 fee by mail, fax (with credit card cover sheet) or in person within 30 days of issue, or you must retest and pay again. The SOS then emails the Commission Certificate and the Certificate of Authorization used to order the stamp. |
| Seal | Required: inked official stamp with the Oregon state seal and, in uppercase, 'OFFICIAL STAMP', the notary's name, 'NOTARY PUBLIC-OREGON', 'COMMISSION NO.' plus number, and 'MY COMMISSION EXPIRES' plus date (month spelled out); ordered from a stamp vendor with the Certificate of Authorization |
| Journal | Required (acknowledgments and signature witnessings must be recorded; recording all acts is recommended; paper or electronic) |
| Max fee per notarization | $10 per notarial act; $25 per remote online notarization |
| Remote online notary | Allowed Commissioned Oregon notaries may perform RON after completing the free SOS RON training, choosing a qualifying vendor (OAR 160-100-0805/0855) and emailing the Remote Online Notarization Notice form with the vendor's electronic stamp and signature; the notary must be in Oregon; a new notice is needed at each renewal; in-person electronic notarization (IPEN) is a separate process |
| Renewal | No automatic renewal: apply for a new commission no more than 30 days before expiration, retaking the Notary Basics course and exam and paying the $40 fee; a new commission number is issued |
There is no bond, the state training is free, and the $40 fee is paid only when you return the notarized oath. The 30-day oath deadline catches many applicants. The 2025 change means even experienced notaries must retake the full Basics course every 4 years.
Sources: Oregon SOS – Qualifications for a Commission · Oregon SOS – Notary Training · Oregon SOS – Commission Application/Reapplication · Oregon SOS – Notary Public FAQ · Oregon SOS – Remote Online Notarization. Checked 2026-10.
Earn more as a loan signing agent
Many notaries add mortgage closings: title and escrow companies pay signing agents per loan package. It needs a notary commission plus signing-agent training and a background screening.
- Loan Signing System — loan signing agent training to earn from mortgage closings ($347)
- NNA Notary Signing Agent certification — the certification and background screening title companies ask for
- Notaries.com signing agent course — budget signing agent course ($109)
Some links may be affiliate links.
Get a Oregon notary checklist and renewal reminder
A printable checklist of every step and an email before your commission expires. Free.
Notary course and exam rules across the US
Other Oregon licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Oregon insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Oregon?
The state fee is $40, plus Oath of office must be signed before a notary (that notary may charge up to $10); stamp and journal bought from private vendors; state training is free, certified private courses charge a fee. Add the course, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Oregon?
Less than a day to several days online; 10 days or more for mailed paper applications.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Oregon?
Oregon requires a course, an exam.
How much can a notary charge in Oregon?
$10 per notarial act; $25 per remote online notarization.
Can I be an online notary in Oregon?
Yes. Commissioned Oregon notaries may perform RON after completing the free SOS RON training, choosing a qualifying vendor (OAR 160-100-0805/0855) and emailing the Remote Online Notarization Notice form with the vendor's electronic stamp and signature; the notary must be in Oregon; a new notice is needed at each renewal; in-person electronic notarization (IPEN) is a separate process