How to Become a Notary Public in Oregon

Here is a general outline of the steps needed to become an OR Notary Public Commission in most Oregon counties:

First, ensure that you have met all the requirements that your state has (more information is below).

Take a training course that is required by the state of Oregon and also pass the examination.

Start the procedure of the application which will lead you to become the Notary Public in Oregon by the Secretary of State.

The passage of time that the approval of the legal authorities will take will be accompanied by the performance of the background check.

Upon approval, you will then receive the Oath of Office in an email via your email address.

Have the oath printed and signed in front of a Notary if you can.

Together with the application fee of $40, bring this to the Secretary of State.

Once the oath has been filed, your email address will be the place to expect the arrival of the two main documents: Certificate of Authorization and Commission Certificate.

Take your Certificate of Authorization to a rubber notary stamp manufacturer.

Feel free to take out an E&O insurance policy if you want, it is not compulsory otherwise but also it is highly recommended.

Enroll in a course and get your hands on the journal or seek the advice of a person who is a Notary expert, both are optional but highly recommended means to carry forward.

Once you have a stamp and the journal in hand, you should be all set and start notarizing in the state.

Are You a Business in Oregon Looking to Fulfill Your Notary Needs?

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What are the fees to acquire a Notary Public License in Oregon?

Getting an Oregon Notary Public Commission consists of a payment of $40. Notary tools and class prices vary depending on the seller. There is an expectation of differing prices for supply packages, especially with new Notaries who typically require more supplies. Be aware of vendors who put extra charges on their packages.

What is the usual time required to complete the process?

A person who wants to become an Oregon Notary Public usually will have to spend four to six weeks to complete the whole process, depending on the speed of processing by the Secretary of State and the readiness of the applicant.

How long does the authority of a Notary in Oregon last?

 The commission of a Notary in Oregon is effective for a period of four years.

Eligibility Criteria for Signing up as a Notary in Oregon?

The candidates applying for the post of Notary in Oregon should be at least 18 years of age, and should be natives of or should be living in Oregon, and should have a good English command. They should not have any relevant felony convictions. All new and existing Notaries are required to take a statutory training course within the past six months plus a successful passing of an examination. Also, this rule applies to persons who are renewing their licenses.

Are notary public training courses mandatory?

Yes, it is obligatory to become a certified Notary by enrolling in a training course and this is true for renewing Notaries who want to be certified again and have their licenses expired.

Is there an exam I have to clear?

There is an open-book exam you have to take in the online mode which is based on the content of the Notary Public Guide, seminar discourses, and e-tutorials.

What items need to be prepared?

For paper notarizations, a rubber stamp ink seal and a journal are essential. The seal must show your name, commission number, and expiry date as per the regulations. Although an embosser is not mandatory, the rubber stamp performs the same purpose as the official seal. Notaries are required to keep a journal of their acts, and it is advisable if the journal has sewn construction that is difficult to tamper with.

Do I need a surety bond or insurance?

No, an insurance E&O bond is not mandatory in Oregon. However, it is highly recommended to buy an accidental errors and omissions insurance policy that will protect you from legal bills that may arise in the event of a claim.

Do Notaries in Oregon have to get approval from a particular person or body?

The Oregon Secretary of State’s Corporation Division in Salem is the office that appoints Notaries Public and manages the Notary Section.

Can a foreigner apply for the position of a Notary Public in Oregon?

Absolutely. You are allowed to become a Notary Public even if you are not a U.S. citizen. However, you should be a legal resident or legally employed in Oregon and meet all other requirements.

Where exactly is a notary public’s service area?

Throughout Oregon, you are legally authorized to perform notarial acts.

Is there anyone I can’t notarize for?

Any ordinary person can avail of your notarial services, provided, however, certain persons such as yourself and your spouse are excluded. Even though it is a fact that notarizing for a family member is permissible by law, it is not recommended because it may cause a conflict of interest, hence the best course of action to follow to avoid falling into such a situation.

Are there any specific charges that I am allowed to ask for?

As per state law, notarial fees per act are limited to $10. Any fee other than this is chargeable in addition only if the signatory agrees beforehand. Always have a proper fee schedule, and make it visible to your customers when you charge them.

Is there any procedure to be followed in case of a change in my details?

To the Secretary of State, the name or address change is to be reported you within thirty days. Go to the website of the Secretary of State and download the change form which, after being notarized, must be sent back to the address write on the form. No fee is required to submit this form.

What exactly does it entail if I want to renew my commission?

If you are renewing your commission, you will go through the same procedure as if it were your initial application, that is, except that if you are renewing and you have passed the exam before your commission expires, then, in this case, there’s no need for the training class. It is important to submit your renewal application and exams at least two and a half months before the end date of your commission.

How to Become an Online Notary in Oregon

Is Online Notarization legal in Oregon?

Oh, yes! Oregon marked the 35th place where Remote Online Notarization (RON) became a reality for the nation on a permanent basis once the Senate Bill 765 was voted into law in June 2021. The bill HB 4212A had allowed remote notarization only for the duration of the pandemic, which means that it was familiar in Oregon. According to the Oregon Secretary of State, online notaries who would manage RON must have the right training and certification to carry out video notarization. 

Moreover, even e-notaries located in Oregon can use the law to carry out the notarization of a person who is outside of the State or Country! 

What Are The Requirements To Become an Online Notary in Oregon?

Starting with additional income is a great way to go. With the help of proper training and qualifications, eNotaries in Oregon can easily acquire their entertainment and begin serving customers instantly! 

Should you wish to be an online notary in Oregon, here are some prerequisites that you have to meet:

Must live in Oregon and at least 18 years old

Clean background check

Successfully pass the online notary exam

Need the necessary equipment e.g. a stable computer, internet access, printer/scanner, webcam or video camera and specialized software that enables remote notarizations.

Make a one-time payment to the Notary Division when you apply for certification.

You must be able to do things in English (Speak & Write it)

They must have a valid driver’s license or state-issued ID card.

Be a holder of an active Oregon Notary Commission

Once all these requirements are satisfied, you are free to request an online notary commission with the state of Oregon. 

Steps for getting an Electronic Remote Notary in Oregon:

From June 15, 2021, until now, Oregon Notaries have been eligible to request to execute remote online notarizations (RONs). Here’re the necessary steps to becoming an OR Remote Notary:

Obtain a traditional Notary Public commission.

Take the state-prescribed RON course online.

Fill in the Remote Notarization Notice form.

Contact an RON technology provider to get a RON technology, an electronic stamp, and a signature.

Email the completed form and a copy of your electronic stamp and signature (output sample form) to [email protected].

Wait to hear from them which could be in the form of either approval or denial.

After confirming that you are the one performing online notarizations, you can start.

After you have gone through and have been confirmed as a notary of the state of Oregon online, you will be in a position to give remote notarial services to Oregon inhabitants. Moreover, you need to at all times ensure that you adhere to the RON chosen and the state rules and regulations.

In case of any confusion, we suggest that you join the BlueNotary Mastermind Facebook Group. It is a treasure house for notaries from all states who have gone through the entire processes and can assist you accordingly.

FAQs 

Where do I begin?

The first step you need to take is to submit an application and pay a single fee. Upon the acceptance of your application, an additional aspect will also require a background check and the eNotary examination to be passed; This is a test concerning state notarization rules and regulations.

Once you complete the Oregon Notary training, you will be a Notary Public in Oregon and will receive an Oregon Notary Commission certificate. The most important thing you need to do before you start is gather all the necessary tools. The fact that an online notary is included in the process does not mean that the agents will not require anything, it is only that they will need to also have relevant equipment.

This will include fast internet and a reliable computer and printer. While some mobile devices feature such capabilities notarizing on them is not as practical as using a computer or even a tablet due to the nature of a stationary webcam affixed on the of these gadgets.

Can the online notaries receive the same benefits as traditional notaries?

Do you want better hours or add some income to your current job in an easy way? This is a good way to do both. It also allows you to offer clients services of a new and very convenient yet secure online platform they likely do not even know about! Moreover, online notaries are in high demand for the easiness of carrying out remote meetings, much-needed transactions without the need for one person to come in physically, and other conveniences they bring.

It is estimated that 1.25 billion notarizations are executed annually in the United States and with the fact that more and more notarizations are moving online this is the right time to go online.

What should you do in order to follow the Oregon laws and remain compliant with them?

To keep in compliance with Oregon laws, e-notaries must:

Document all their remote notarizations.

Perform a proper signer identification through visiting such electronic sources as the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Keep in touch with the Assistant or other officers for the purpose of carrying out the notarization of the party without having to be present in person.

Keep your Notary commission active and in good standing. Make sure you are up-to-date on all the current laws and guidelines

Stay up-to-date on your continuing education requirements. Follow the guidelines and processes set out by your chosen RON vendor

Here are a few things you should be doing in order to comply with the law that provides for online notarization in Oregon.

What activities does a notary public have to do?

Does the notary public have to concentrate on many activities or is the workload usually limited? Like any other profession, an online notary job can be very busy one day and not so much on other days. Actually, the highest demand for notaries generally comes during the tax season when documents such as returns and financial disclosure forms need to be signed and notarized. However, a certain demand from businesses and individuals for the services of an online notary person is continuous throughout the year.

What will I need to be aware of?

You should bear in mind that, as an online notary, you must comply with the regulations applied by the state. Your duties include not only ensuring that the documents are notarized properly and that the witnesses sign the documents, but also that these documents are fully informative too. The best on-line notaries, in excess of other people, establish contact with potential customers through the use of their own client surveys and programs.

How to choose the best signing service for your loan document needs?

As a new member of the Blue Notary platform, you will be able to earn a yearly income of about $22 after conducting notarizations online. By doing more assignments and a higher number of notarizations, you can definitely expect an increase in your income especially if you go after a loan signing package. That way, you will make a good living and have the additional benefit of working from home.

Furthermore,  also provides the provision to Invoice Your Clients Personally Outside of  at negotiated rates for just $3 per notarization to their Pro-Hybrid members. This freedom is really very empowering as it completely depends upon how effective your networking capability is.

Being an online notary, you are the one who chooses the platform for finding clients. The best one is Blue Notary, as we provide a smooth onboarding process enabling you to start and notarize the documents online instantly. We have videos and a signing simulator for you to practice the procedure. And we also have a Facebook community where many notaries can assist you, as they have already undergone the same process and paved the way.