Steps to Becoming an Oregon Notary Public or Renewing Your Oregon Notary

Steps to Becoming an Oregon Notary Public or Renewing Your Oregon Notary Public Commission

Application 1) Complete ALL blanks.
Note:
Commission Name: This is your name as you wish it to appear on your official seal. Your official signature must match. For example, if you wish to have your seal read "John Edward Jones", you must also sign "John Edward Jones", not "John E. Jones". If you prefer to sign "John E. Jones", your seal will need to read "John E. Jones" as well.
Applicant Signature: This is your official signature, and you must always sign exactly as you did on your application. It is best to sign the way you normally sign. If you use a shortened form of your name, that is also the way your seal must read. List your full legal name and any nicknames or former names in the section so designated.
Address where notary materials should be mailed: Please include a business name or suite number if this is necessary for the post office to deliver to you.
Employer Name: If no employer, please indicate that.

2) Go before an existing notary public to swear your oath and have your signature notarized.

Note:
Oath of Office. This must always be completed before mailing. Everything in this section except your signature is to be completed by the person performing the notarization. If you are already a notary, for purposes of this application, you are considered to be the applicant, NOT the notary. Do not stamp your seal where it says, "affix official seal". That is for the notary who will notarize your signature.

3) Make out a check for $20 payable to the State of Oregon or the Corporation Division.

Note:
This $20.00 application fee covers only the cost of processing your application for a 4-year commission; it does not include the notary seal or notarial journal. The seal and journal may be purchased from an office supply store after completing the application process and receiving your Certificate of Authorization form.

4) Taking the test/mandatory education

If you are a reapplying notary, please read the entire packet and carefully answer all questions. If you are a new notary or your commission has expired, please click here.

Mail your application
5) Mail your completed application, test, and fee to:
Secretary of State Corporation Division
Attn: Notary Section
255 Capitol Street NE, Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327

Allow 2-3 weeks for processing. You will be mailed your commission and a Certificate of Authorization form (allowing you to purchase a notary seal), a copy of the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) and Administrative Rules (OARs), and a copy of the Oregon Notary Public Guide.

Note:
Please read all of the Notary Public publications carefully; you are responsible for following all of the Laws and Rules.

Before You Mail Your Application, Test and Non-refundable Fee
Double Check
• Did you complete all sections of the application?
• Did you sign the application before a notary?
• Did you complete the open book test or include your notary education number?
• Did you include a $20 check with your application or submit your MasterCard or VISA card number
information?

After Your Application Has Been Approved Complete These Steps

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 it is correct, take your Certificate of
     Authorization to a maker of rubber stamps to have your seal made. If you question any of the
     information, call this office at (503) 986-2593.
2) After your seal is made, proof read the seal ensuring that the spelling of your name, commission
     number and expiration date are correct.
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.

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

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

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

Follow-up Information
• You will receive a new commission and Certificate of Authorization with a new commission number
and expiration date.
• You will need to have a new notary seal made. The new seal cannot be used until the effective date of
the new commission.
• You may continue to use the same journal, but must update the information in the front.
• Destroy your old seal within 30 days after the expiration of your commission.

When re-applying, please do not send in your application more than 2 1/2 months before your commission expires. If you do, your application will not be processed and your fee will not be refunded.