Becoming a Notary

If you have never been a notary before, or if your notary commission has expired or will expire before your application reaches our office, you must first take the required three-hour class before applying. We offer classes at various locations around the state as well as an online tutorial. Please follow the links to register.

If you take a class in person: You must fill out the notary application and test. Click here for packet. We recommend you wait till after the class to take the test.

If you take the online tutorial: Once you have completed the three hours online, the system will make an online test available to you. Please be patient; after the three hours, it takes a few more minutes before you will see the test icon. When the test has been successfully completed, you will receive an email within 2 business days with an education certificate attached. Write the number from the certificate on your application in the space provided. The email will also provide a link to the notary application. You do NOT take the test that accompanies the application if you access it through the link on the website rather than the email.

Please allow about 2 weeks for us to process your application.

For additional instructions on filling out the notary application, please click here.

If you have any questions regarding the application process or the exam, please call (503) 986-2593 BEFORE sending the application in.

After Your Application Has Been Approved
1. When you receive your commission from the Secretary of State's office, proof read the commission for the spelling of your name and note the expiration date.
If everything is correct, take your Certificate of Authorization to a maker of rubber stamps to have your seal made. (Note: you will get a new commission number every 4 years.)

If you question any of the information, call this office at (503) 986-2593 BEFORE ordering the seal.

2. After your seal is made, proof read the seal ensuring that the spelling of your name, commission number and expiration date are correct and read EXACTLY as printed on your certificate.

3. Stamp a clean imprint of your seal (in black ink) on the Certificate of Authorization to complete the requirement of filing your imprint with the Secretary of State. If it is not 100% clear, please stamp again. If necessary, stamp on a separate piece of paper and send that in with your Certificate.

Mail to:
Secretary of State Corporation Division
Notary Section
255 Capitol Street NE, Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327

(The address is also found near the bottom of the Certificate.)

You will not receive acknowledgement that we have processed your Certificate.

4. After you have purchased your notary journal and have reached the effective date of your commission, you are ready to notarize.

Seals and journals
We do not provide these; you must purchase them yourself. Most office supply stores can make notary seal. Most of them either carry journals in stock or through a store catalog. We do not keep a list of vendors.