Notary Public Training Materials
These are the foundation of notary public training in Washington. You must read/review before we meet up. Write down your specific notary public questions so we can address them. (Bring your Notary Public Oath of Office and valid ID if you need it notarized for your state notary application.)
The Washington DOL Website for Notaries
WEBSITE read/review
The Washington State Notary Public Guide
FREE PDF download/print
1. WA notary fees have changed since it published this notary manual. Fees for notarial acts are currently $15, not $10. See WAC308-30-220
2. My training covers WET signings only. That means pen & paper, face to face signings with documents and your signer physically in front of you. My training does not cover eNotary or RON. New notaries should learn how to properly identify signers in person and how to perform notarizations on paper first.
NNA's Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility
FREE PDF download/print
Olympia Notary Training hands-on practice session for up to 6 people
$150 per person up to 2hrs
NEXT SESSION:
- Tuesday Nov 18, 2025 4-6PM
- Tuesday Dec 16, 2025 4-6PM
Must be 18+, able to read and write English. We'll recap materials, Q&A, hands-on practice identifying signers & performing notarizations, a final Q&A, then session ends.
WHAT TO BRING:
- Printed copy of the Washington Notary Public Guide and Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility
- Your notary stamp, if you have one
- Your notary questions and any document you have questions about how to notarize
If you need it, I am happy to notarize your Notary Public Oath of Office form for you after our hands-on practice session ends. No charge. Remember to print and bring with you. And of course, bring valid photo ID.
Olympia Notary Training Certificate
(included)
This 2-hour hands-on practice session will be held at Cutters Point Coffee 1340 Marvin Rd, Olympia, WA 98516.
Or contact me to arrange a private 1-on-1 practice session with me at your chosen date/time/location (travel fee TBD).
A training certificate will be emailed upon completion of our follow-up Zoom Q&A. This call is an opportunity to gauge your Washington notary public knowledge and understanding, your level of comfort, and you can ask me any final training questions.
At Our Hands-on Practice Session
Recap of Washington Notary Role, Rules, and Industry Best Practices
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of the free notary training materials that you have read. We will briefly recap and answer any preliminary questions before we jump in.
Notary Practice and Q&A
You will practice identifying a signer, swearing/affirming a signer, and completing any or all of these 7 basic notarizations:
1. Individual Acknowledgement
2. Representative Acknowledgement
3. Verification on Oath or Affirmation (jurat)
4. Witnessing or Attesting to Signature
5. True and Correct Copy
6. Witnessing or Attesting to an Act or Event
7. Administering an Oath or Affirmation
Do you need the Notarial Oath for your notary application notarized?
Bring it and your government-issued photo ID. I can notarize it for you at no charge when our session is over. Or you can call later to schedule a time to come to my location to have it notarized.
Do you understand your notary role, rules, and industry best practices?
NO QUIZZES, NO TESTS, NO FINALS. Instead, we'll have an informal group discussion via Zoom. View this as an opportunity to gauge in real time your personal comfort level and confidence, your understanding of your role as a notary public, and our Washington notary rules. And you can ask any notary training questions that may have come up.
EXAMPLE QUESTIONS I WILL POSE THE GROUP VIA ZOOM:
- What are the eligibility requirements to become a notary public in Washington state?
- Who issues a notary license in Washington?
- If notary public training not required by the State of Washington, why seek notary public training?
- Describe your role as a notary public in Washington?
- How do you look up a notary rule?
- What can you do if you do not understand a notary law/rule?
- Which rules govern notaries in Washington?
- Does being a notary public allow you to draft or prepare legal documents?
- Does being a notary public allow you to provide legal, financial, or immigration advice?
- Name some examples of documents you may notarize?
- Name some examples of documents you cannot notarize?
- Is a social security card considered valid government-issued photo ID?
- Is a birth certificate considered valid government-issued photo ID?
- Is a Costco card considered valid government-issued photo ID?
- What are some examples of government-issued photo ID?
- What is a notarial certificate? What is its purpose?
- Can a notary notarize a document that does not contain notarial language?
- Can a notary choose a notarial certificate for a document that does not have one?
- Can a notary notarize a hand-written letter?
- Can a notary notarize a birth certificate?
- Can a notary notarize documents for your boss or coworker?
- Can a notary notarize documents for a friend?
- Can a notary notarize documents for their next-door neighbor?
- Can a notary notarize documents for your family members?
- How much can you charge as a notary public?
- Can a notary public charge a notary travel fee?
- From whom do you collect payment as a notary public?
- Is it OK for a notary public to accept tips?
- When is it legal to decline a notary request?
- A signer does not understand the language you are speaking, can you notarize their document? Why or why not?
- What would you do if a signer appears confused, does not understand what they are signing?
- What would you do if you believe a signer is being forced to sign a document?
- What would you do if the signer appears to be drunk or under the influence?
- What would you do if the signer cannot show you a valid government-issued photo ID?
- What would you do if a signer is rushing you to get their document notarized?
- What would you do if you were asked to notarize documents in a dark parking lot?
- What is a notary public bond?
- What is notary public errors and omissions insurance?
- What should you do if you make a mistake on a notarization?
Based on responses, I may offer feedback and suggestions. I will also seek your feedback and suggestions. When we finish, I will email your Olympia Notary Training certificate.
