Application Procedures
Step 1: Download and complete the District of Columbia's Notary Public Application and collect the other required items:
The application can be downloaded here:
District of Columbia Notary Public Application
- Applications must be signed within 30 days of the date of submission.
- A letter stating the need for services must be prepared by the applicant's employer and submitted with the application (If self-employed, submit the request on letterhead).
Your application will be reviewed by NCAS for completeness and basic requirements such as either residing in the District of Columbia and/or gainfully employed in the District of Columbia.
A representative from the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications will contact new applicants to schedule the orientation.
If you have any questions about the notary commissioning process, please contact the Notary Commissions and Authentications Section by telephone at (202) 727-3117.
Step 2: Submit the application to the Notary Commissions and Authentications Section
Mail the completed application and related material to:
Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications
441 4th Street, NW
Room 810 South
Washington, DC 20001
After reviewing your application, a NCAS representative will send you notification of a testing date. Each applicant will be scheduled for testing only TWICE. Any applicant who fails to appear for testing after the second scheduling will be required to resubmit another application. The initial application will be discarded. NCAS will not return any applications.
After successful completion, the testing applicants will receive information through the mail concerning the requirements for obtaining a District of Columbia notary bond, purchasing the embossing seal and the cost for obtaining a District of Columbia Notary Public Commission.
New and Renewing Notary Packages Renewing Notary Packages do not come with a notary journal
Step 3: Order your Official Embossing Seal, Notary Journal and other supplies from The Notary's Store, but you will need to order your notary bond separately.
Once you have received the information from the State regarding your official bond, embossing seal and commissioning instructions you will need to order your notary supplies. Please visit The Notary's Store, you will be entering the District of Columbia section for your official notary supplies. We offer a New Notary Supply Package and a Renewing Notary Supply Package which includes your District of Columbia Notary Seal Embosser and District of Columbia Notary Journal, and other needed notary supplies at a special reduced price, but you will need to order your required $2,000 District of Columbia Notary Bond separately. To order, enter the required information and scroll down through the page to locate the notary packages, or purchase the seal embosser and notary journal separately.
Follow the onscreen instructions through checkout and your order will ship as soon as it is processed, usually in no more than 2 business days.
Note: An Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy does not replace a bond, but will help to repay the bonding company if a claim is ever made. Errors and Omissions is not required by law, but may be purchased as it protects the notary public and pays for any charges the notary might owe for legal fees and costs should the notary be sued.
Step 4: Collect the items necessary and take your Oath of Office:
Once you receive your official bond and embossing seal, you will need to prepare the items to take with you to the Notary Commissions and Authentications Section so you may take your Oath of Office. Be sure to make a copy of the actual bond for your records.
These items include the following:
Payment for the commissioning fee as cash or check the amount of $75.00 for the exact amount only, as the office does not give change. If paying by check, the check must be made payable to the "D.C. Treasurer".
Your official surety bond in the amount of $2,000 and your receipt showing a 5 year commission term
Once you have collected these items you will be ready to go to the Notary Commissions and Authentications Section and take your Oath of Office. NCAS is located at the Judiciary Square Metro Station at the 4th Street exit. NCAS's hours of operation to the public are 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
After you take your Oath of Office you will be a notary public for the District of Columbia and ready to begin your duties as such.
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