How to Become a Notary Public in Oregon
These are the general steps to get an OR Notary Public Commission in most Oregon counties:
- Make sure you meet all of your state’s qualifications (see below).
- Take the Oregon state-required training course and pass the exam.
- Complete an application through the Oregon Secretary of State.
- A criminal background check will be performed when you submit your application.
- If your application is approved, you’ll receive an email with your Oath of Office attached.
- Print the oath and sign it in front of a Notary.
- Submit this to the Secretary of State with the $40 application fee.
- Once your oath is filed, your Certificate of Authorization and Commission Certificate will arrive by email.
- Submit your Certificate of Authorization to a maker of rubber notary stamps.
- Obtain E&O insurance (optional, but highly recommended).
- Take continuing education or consult Notary experts for guidance (optional, but highly recommended).
After you have obtained your stamp and your notary journal you should be ready to start notarizing in the state of Oregon.
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What’s Required to be a Notary Public in Oregon?
To be eligible for a Notary commission in Oregon, candidates must:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must reside in Oregon or have a place of employment/practice within the state.
- Able to read and write English.
- No felony convictions or crimes involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit in the 10 years before applying.
- No Notary commissions have been revoked in the last 10 years.
- Cannot have convictions for impersonating a Notary, obstructing governmental or judicial administration, or unauthorized practice of law as defined in Oregon statutes. Additionally, you must not have been adjudicated for practicing law without a license or engaging in prohibited trade practices.
What is the cost to Become a Notary in Oregon?
Applying for an Oregon Notary Public Commission incurs a $40 fee. Costs for Notary tools and educational courses vary by vendor. Expect differing prices for supply packages, with new Notaries often requiring more resources. Be mindful of vendors that may add extra fees to packages.
How long does the process take?
Becoming an Oregon Notary Public typically requires four to six weeks, depending on processing times by the Secretary of State and the applicant’s readiness.
What is the duration of an Oregon Notary Commission?
An Oregon Notary Commission lasts four years.
What are the requirements to become a Notary in Oregon?
Applicants must be at least 18, reside or work in Oregon, be proficient in English, and have no recent convictions for felonies or crimes involving fraud. Notary training within the last six months and passing an examination are mandatory for all new and renewing Notaries, except those renewing before commission expiration.
Is training necessary?
Yes, a mandatory training course is required, with renewing Notaries also needing to complete this training if their commission expires before renewal.
Do I need to pass an exam?
An online, open-book exam is required, covering material from the Notary Public Guide, seminars, and online tutorials.
What supplies are needed?
A rubber stamp ink seal and journal are required for paper notarizations. The seal must include specific information such as your name, commission number, and expiration date. While an embosser is optional, the rubber stamp serves as the official seal. Notaries must maintain a journal of their acts, recommended to feature tamper-proof sewn construction for security.
Is a surety bond or insurance required?
No, Oregon does not require a surety bond, but optional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is advised to protect against legal expenses.
Oregon Notary Public FAQs
Who oversees Oregon Notaries?
The Notary Section of the Oregon Secretary of State’s Corporation Division in Salem is the authority that commissions Notaries Public.
Can non-U.S. citizens become Notaries in Oregon?
Absolutely. While U.S. citizenship isn’t required, you must be a legal resident or legally employed in Oregon and meet all other qualifications.
Where is notarization allowed?
You’re authorized to conduct notarizations throughout Oregon.
Whom can I notarize for?
You can provide notarial services to any member of the public, excluding yourself and your spouse. Notarizing for relatives is legally permitted but not recommended to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
What fees can I charge?
The state caps notarial fees at $10 per act. You may also charge a separate travel fee, provided the signer agrees beforehand. Display or present a clear fee schedule when charging.
What if my details change?
Report any changes in your name or address to the Secretary of State within 30 days. Use the appropriate change form from the Secretary’s website, have it notarized, and submit it without any fee.
Renewing my commission—what should I know?
Renewal mirrors the initial application, with an exemption from the training class for current Notaries who renew and pass the exam before expiry. Submit renewal applications and exams at least two and a half months before your commission’s expiration.
Is Online Notarization legal in Oregon?
Yes! Oregon was the 35th state to permanently legalize Remote Online Notarization (RON) in June of 2021 through Senate Bill 765. Previously, House Bill 4212A temporarily allowed remote notarization during COVID-19, so it’s something that Oregon notaries were already used to. Oregon Secretary of State requires that online notaries acquire additional training and certification to perform RON in Oregon.
What Are The Requirements To Become an Online Notary in Oregon?
It’s an excellent way to provide yourself with some supplemental income. With the right training and qualifications, you can become an eNotary in Oregon and start working with clients right away!
To become an online notary in Oregon, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Be a resident of Oregon and at least 18 years old
- Pass a background check
- Pass the online notary exam
- Have the necessary equipment such as a reliable computer, internet access, printer/scanner, webcam or video camera and specialized software that allows for remote notarizations.
- Pay a one-time fee to the Notary Division when you apply for certification.
- Be able to read and write English fluently
- Have a valid driver’s license or state-issued ID card.
- Be the holder of an active Oregon Notary Commission
Once all of these requirements are met, you can apply for an online notary commission with the state of Oregon.
Steps to Become an Electronic Remote Notary in Oregon:
As of June 15, 2021, Oregon Notaries have been able to apply to perform remote online notarizations (RONs). If you want to become an OR Remote Notary, you will need to take the following steps:
- Hold a traditional Notary Public commission.
- Complete the state-required RON course online.
- Complete the Remote Notarization Notice form.
- Get set up with a RON technology provider and obtain an electronic stamp and signature.
- Submit the form and a copy of your electronic stamp and signature (output sample form) to [email protected].
- Wait for an acknowledgment that will either approve or deny your request.
- Once you have received approval, you may begin performing online notarizations.
Once you have become an Oregon online notary, you will be able to provide secure remote notarial services for Oregon residents. Always ensure that you follow the guidelines and laws set out by the state, as well as your selected RON vendor.
For any confusion in the process, we recommend joining the BlueNotary Mastermind Facebook Group full of notaries from each state who have been through the exact state processes and can help guide you along the way.
Oregon Remote Online Notary FAQs
How do I start?
You’ll first need to submit an application and pay a one-time fee. Once your application is approved, you must also pass a background check and take the eNotary examination; This is a test of state notarization rules and regulations.
Once you pass, you’ll get an Oregon Notary Commission certificate. Before you can get going, though, you have to make sure you have all the necessary supplies. Yes, even online notarization has certain equipment needed! This includes fast internet and a reliable computer and printer. While some of this can be done on your phone, like scanning, it’s a good idea to invest in yourself and buy a good-quality webcam.
What are the benefits of becoming an Online Notary?
Looking for better hours? Or an easy way to add income with flexibility? This is a great way to do both. It’s also a way to offer convenient and secure services to clients on a new platform they may not even know about yet! Additionally, online notaries are in high demand due to the convenience they provide, from conducting remote meetings to handling transactions without requiring someone to be physically present.
Finally, it’s the perfect time as 1.25 billion notarizations are done annually in the United States and more and more of these notarizations are moving online.
What Steps Should You Take To Remain Compliant With Oregon Laws?
To remain compliant with Oregon laws, online notaries must take the following steps:
- Keep up-to-date records of all your remote notarizations.
- Verify the identity of each signer using an approved identification method such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Maintain a physical presence in the state of Oregon during remote notarial acts.
- Maintain a secure environment for digital documents.
- Keep your Notary commission active and in good standing. Make sure you are up-to-date on all the current laws and guidelines.
- Store all records and documents securely according to the requirements set out by the Oregon Secretary of State’s office.
- Stay up-to-date on your continuing education requirements. Follow the guidelines and processes set out by your chosen RON vendor.
By following these steps, you can ensure that you remain compliant with the laws governing online notaries in Oregon.
What to Expect From the Job?
As in other professions, the amount of work an online notary receives can vary widely. Generally, the busiest times for notaries are during tax season, when documents such as tax returns need to be signed and notarized. However, there is also a steady demand throughout the year from businesses and individuals in need of authentication services. There are many businesses that need consistent notarizations.
It is important to remember that when working as an online notary, you are responsible for adhering to the regulations set forth by the state. This includes making sure documents are properly completed and witnessed and ensuring they contain all of the necessary information. Additionally, the most successful online notaries spend some time doing their own client acquisition and sales funneling.
How Much Can You Expect To Make?
When you create an account with Blue Notary to get started, you can expect to earn around $22 for online notarizations. As you gain more experience and have notarized more documents, you will be able to earn even more by taking on loan signing packages. Thus, you will be able to earn a very decent income – all from the comfort of your home office.
BlueNotary also has the option for you to Invoice Your Clients Outside of BlueNotary at your rates at a cost of just $3 per notarization for their Pro-Hybrid members. This makes your earnings very flexible depending on your ability to build a network.
As an online notary, you get to decide which service provider to use for finding clients. Blue Notary is the best option as we make it super easy for you to onboard and start notarizing documents online. We have training videos and a signing simulator to get you comfortable with the process. We also have a Facebook group full of notaries to help you get through the process and walk the path they’ve helped trail before.
