Last updated February 7, 2024
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Online Notary in Washington
Online Notary is a way to get your documents notarized remotely. Sometimes also called Remote Online Notary (RON), it allows you to sign your documents without having to physically meet with a notary public.
Online Notary is secure, convenient, and affordable. All you need is an electronic device with a camera and a microphone, and you’re on your way to getting your documents notarized from home.
Online Notary is also known as
- Digital notarization
- Remote notarization
- Virtual notarization
Is Online Notary legal in Washington?
Yes, Online Notary is legal in Washington and has been since 2020. The bill was initially set to take effect in late 2020 but was moved to March as one of the 2020 emergency rules. A permanent bill came into effect in 2021.
Online Notary laws in Washington
Instead of the traditionally required personal appearance, Washington laws allow you to appear in front of a notary through a two-way video call. Other than this, Washington remote notaries follow the same guidelines and rules as traditional ones.
Documents notarized in other states are legally recognized in Washington. Additionally, the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution indicates that notarial acts completed in one state are valid in all other states. This means that you can get documents notarized in any state, and they will be valid where you live.
Remote notarization is made possible by the Electronic Signature in Global and National Commerce Act, which confirms that electronic signatures are binding to the same extent as traditional pen and paper ones.
Record keeping for Washington Online Notaries
Any Washington notary must keep a physical journal with details of the notary acts. The journal entries must contain the following information:
- Date and time
- Description of the notarial act
- Full names and addresses of the signers
In addition, any Washington notaries doing online services must keep a digital recording of the notarial act for at least ten years.
Record-keeping guidelines follow state law and will vary depending on the jurisdiction of the notary public.
How much does Online Notary cost in Washington?
In Washington, remote notarization can cost up to $25 per notarial act. LawDepot’s Online Notary is $25 for the first seal and $10 for every additional seal. This fee includes an acknowledgment or a jurat.
- An acknowledgment means the parties declare they’re willing to sign the document.
- A jurat means the parties swear the document and its contents are truthful.
LawDepot does not offer certified copies, also known as copy certification.
What documents can I notarize online in Washington?
Online notaries can notarize the same documents as traditional notaries. However, laws vary by jurisdiction, so you should always confirm with local authorities when getting something notarized.
LawDepot’s Online Notary can notarize:
- Affidavits
- Child Travel Consent and Child Medical Consent
- Power of Attorney
- Living Trust and Living Will
- Mortgage Agreement
- Promissory Note
- Loan Agreement
- Bill of Sale
- Articles of Incorporation
- Trademark Assignment
- And more
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To see the complete list of documents and learn more about the Online Notary process, |
What documents cannot be notarized online in Washington?
Online notaries can’t notarize documents like birth, death, or marriage certificates. Also known as vital records, these documents contain sensitive information about a person’s life. Only authorized government agencies can issue vital records.
LawDepot can’t notarize:
- True copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Court-issued documents
- Certificates of Naturalization
- Certificates of Citizenship
- Declarations of Intention to Become a Citizen
- Documents for use outside of the U.S.
- Last Will and Testament
- Pour-Over Will
- Separation Agreement
- Cohabitation Agreement
- Prenuptial Agreement
- USPS Form 1583