How to Become a Notary Public in Oregon

Checked against Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division (Notary Public) · Verified 2026-10-10

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 4 years
State fee: $40
Bond: None stated
Commissioned by: Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division (Notary Public)

Take the free notary practice test →

Who can apply

Be at least 18 years old.
Live in Oregon or have a place of work or practice there.
Be able to read and write English.
No felony or fraud, dishonesty or deceit conviction in the past 10 years.
No notary commission revoked in the past 10 years.
No convictions or court findings for impersonating a notary, unlicensed practice of law, or notario-type unlawful trade practices.
Complete Notary Basics training within the last 6 months and pass the state exam.
Pass a background check.

Step by step

Take the free Notary Basics training from the Secretary of State, or a course from an approved provider.
Get your education number from Workday or your training provider.
On the Online Notary Application site, choose Take the Exam and Apply, then pass the test.
Watch your email for your oath of office once approved.
Sign the oath before a commissioned notary.
Fax or mail the notarized oath with the $40 fee.
Once you have your commission certificates, buy a stamp and journal.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Notary Basics course, required for every new commission, including renewals. It must be completed within 6 months before applying. It is free from the Secretary of State; approved private providers may charge.

Exam: State notary exam given by the Secretary of State online after training, using your education number. The state does not publish the format or passing score; confirm with the education provider.

Practice for the notary exam free — role & powers, prohibited acts, and procedures & recordkeeping →

What it costs in Oregon

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Notary Basics training (Secretary of State, free)$0
Approved private training provider, instead of the free state course(optional)$
Notarization of your oath of office$
State application (processing) fee, sent with the oath$40
Notary stamp$
Notary journal$

Estimated total in Oregon$40Plus 3 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Notary stamp
Notary journal
Notarization of your oath of office
Fee for an approved private training provider, if you do not use the free state course

What other sites get wrong about Oregon

Myth: The Oregon notary application fee is $43.

Fact: The Secretary of State charges a $40 processing fee for each application, paid with the oath of office. source

After you're commissioned

Renewal: There is no simple renewal: retake Notary Basics, pass the test again, and submit a new oath with the $40 fee for a new commission number.

Remote online notarization: Yes. A commissioned notary must take the state's RON training, choose a qualifying vendor, and email a Remote Notarization Notice form for approval, repeating the notice with each new commission.

Good to know in Oregon

Journal and remote rules: Oregon law requires every notary to keep a journal of all notarial acts and retain it for 10 years after the last entry (ORS 194.300). For remote notarizations, the notary must be located in Oregon; the signer may be elsewhere (ORS 194.277).

What you can charge: An Oregon notary may charge up to $10 per traditional notarial act and up to $25 per remote online notarization (ORS 194.400; OAR 160-100-0400). A notary who charges fees must post or give the signer a list of fees in English.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division (Notary Public) before you apply.