What You Need to Do to Become a Notary in D.C.
To become a notary in Washington, D.C., you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of D.C., pass a background check, and complete a notary education course. The D.C. Superior Court handles notary commissions, and the process takes roughly four to six weeks from process to commission. You do not need a law degree or prior experience—the role is open to any resident who meets the basic requirements and passes the exam.
The steps are straightforward: take an approved notary course, pass the exam, submit your process to the D.C. Superior Court with required documents, and wait for your commission to arrive by mail. Once commissioned, you can notarize documents, administer oaths, and take acknowledgments. Your commission lasts five years and can be renewed.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18 years old and a D.C. resident to become a notary; no prior experience or education is required.
- Complete a notary education course from an approved provider and pass the exam before submitting your process.
- Submit your process, exam results, background check authorization, and identification to the D.C. Superior Court Civil Division.
- Your notary commission lasts five years and costs a one-time fee; renewal requires another course and exam.
- Once commissioned, you can notarize signatures, administer oaths, and take acknowledgments for documents used in D.C. and other states.
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements
Before you enroll in a course, confirm you meet D.C.'s baseline requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Washington, D.C., and able to read and write English. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, but you must be a D.C. resident—this means you have a D.C. address and can show proof of residency.
Residency can be shown with a D.C. driver's license, a utility bill, a lease, or a bank statement with your D.C. address. If you have a criminal record, you may still become a notary, but the D.C. Superior Court will review your background. Felony convictions, particularly those involving fraud or dishonesty, can result in denial, but minor offenses do not automatically disqualify you.
Step 2: Take an Approved Notary Course
D.C. requires you to complete a notary education course from a provider approved by the D.C. Superior Court. The court does not run the courses itself; instead, private companies and some community organizations offer them. Common providers include online platforms and in-person classes offered through continuing education companies.
The course covers D.C. notary law, your duties and limitations, how to complete notarial acts correctly, and common mistakes to avoid. Most courses take four to eight hours and cost between $50 and $150. After you finish, the provider will give you a certificate of completion—keep this, as you will need it when you explore. Some providers offer the course and exam on the same day; others schedule them separately.
Step 3: Pass the Notary Exam
After completing your course, you must pass an exam administered by your course provider or the D.C. Superior Court, depending on which route you choose. The exam tests your knowledge of D.C. notary law, your responsibilities, and how to handle common notarial situations. It typically has 30 to 50 multiple-choice questions, and you usually need to score 70 percent or higher to pass.
If you fail the exam, you can retake it—most providers allow one or two free retakes, though some charge a small fee for additional attempts. The exam is not difficult if you pay attention during the course; it focuses on material directly covered in the training. Once you pass, your provider will issue an exam results form or certificate, which you will submit with your process.
Step 4: Gather and Submit Your process
Contact the D.C. Superior Court Civil Division to request a notary process packet, or read it from the court's website. The packet includes the process form, instructions, and a list of required documents. You will need to submit the following: your completed process form, your course completion certificate, your exam results, a copy of a valid government-issued ID (driver's license or passport), and proof of D.C. residency.
You will also need to authorize a background check. The court will ask you to sign a form allowing them to run a criminal history check through the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Submit everything by mail to the D.C. Superior Court Civil Division at the address listed in the process packet. Include a check or money order for the process fee—as of the last update, this was a one-time fee of around $50 to $100, though you should confirm the current amount with the court.
Step 5: Wait for Your Commission and Take the Oath
After the court receives your process, processing typically takes four to six weeks. The court will review your documents, run your background check, and verify your exam results. If everything is in order, the court will mail your notary commission certificate to your D.C. address. This certificate is your official proof that you are a commissioned notary.
Some courts require you to take an oath of office in person before your commission becomes active. Check your process materials or contact the court to see if this step applies to you. If required, you will schedule a brief appointment at the courthouse, take the oath in front of a court official, and receive your commission. Once you have your commission certificate, you are authorized to perform notarial acts in D.C.
What You Can and Cannot Do as a D.C. Notary
As a notary, you can notarize signatures on documents, administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments (where a signer confirms they signed a document), and certify copies of certain documents. You can notarize documents for use in D.C. and in other states, as long as the notarial act itself is legal in D.C. You cannot charge more than the fee set by D.C. law—currently $2 per notarial act, though this may vary.
You cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in it, if you are a party to the document, or if you are related to the signer. You cannot provide legal information, draft documents, or tell someone what they should sign. You also cannot notarize a signature if the signer is not present in front of you, and you cannot notarize a blank document. If you violate these rules, you can face fines, loss of your commission, or civil liability.
Renewing Your Notary Commission
Your notary commission lasts five years from the date it is issued. To renew, you must take another approved notary course, pass another exam, and submit a renewal process to the D.C. Superior Court before your current commission expires. The renewal process is the same as the initial process, and the fee is similar. If your commission expires before you renew, you cannot perform notarial acts until you receive a new commission.
Start the renewal process at least two months before your commission expires to avoid a gap. The court will send you a reminder notice before your commission expires, but it is your responsibility to track the expiration date and begin renewal on time. If you miss the important date, you will have to reapply as a new notary rather than renewing, which may take longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to become a notary in D.C.?
No. You must be a D.C. resident and at least 18 years old, but you do not need to be a U.S. citizen. You must be able to read and write English and pass a background check.
Can I notarize documents for family members or friends?
No. D.C. law prohibits you from notarizing a document if you are related to the signer, if you have a financial interest in the document, or if you are a party to it. You must be impartial and have no stake in the transaction.
How much can I charge for notarizing a document?
D.C. law sets the maximum fee at $2 per notarial act. You can charge less, but you cannot charge more. Some notaries charge no fee for friends or family, which is allowed.
What happens if I fail the notary exam?
Most course providers allow you to retake the exam at no extra cost or for a small fee. You can retake it as many times as needed until you pass. There is no limit on attempts, though some providers may charge after two or three free retakes.
Can I work as a notary from home?
Yes. You can notarize documents from home, at your workplace, or anywhere else in D.C., as long as the signer is present in front of you. Many notaries work part-time from home or set up a small notary service. You do not need a physical office or storefront.