WA Notary Notary Commission and Appointment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Who appoints notaries public in Washington State?
- The Governor
- The Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- The State Legislature
- County Clerks
Correct answer: The Secretary of State
In Washington, notaries public are appointed by the Secretary of State under the authority of Washington notary law.
Question 2: How long is a Washington notary commission term?
- 2 years
- 4 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
- 10 years
Correct answer: 4 years
Washington notary commissions are issued for a 4-year term, after which the notary must renew to continue notarizing.
Question 3: What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in Washington?
- 16 years old
- 18 years old (Correct answer)
- 21 years old
- 25 years old
Correct answer: 18 years old
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a Washington notary commission.
Question 4: Is a Washington notary required to be a U.S. citizen to receive a commission?
- Yes, citizenship is required
- No, legal residents may also qualify (Correct answer)
- Only natural-born citizens may apply
- Citizenship is required only for government notaries
Correct answer: No, legal residents may also qualify
Washington does not require notary applicants to be U.S. citizens; legal residents who meet other qualifications may also apply.
Question 5: Where must a Washington notary be a resident or have their principal place of employment to obtain a commission?
- Only in their county of residence
- In the State of Washington (Correct answer)
- In the Pacific Northwest region
- In the United States generally
Correct answer: In the State of Washington
Notary applicants must reside in Washington or have their principal place of employment or practice in Washington.
Question 6: What happens to a Washington notary commission when the notary moves out of state permanently?
- The commission continues until it expires
- The commission is automatically terminated (Correct answer)
- The notary has 90 days to return before termination
- The notary may keep the commission if they retain a WA P.O. box
Correct answer: The commission is automatically terminated
If a Washington notary moves out of state and no longer has a principal place of employment in Washington, the commission is automatically terminated.
WA Notary Notary Commission and Appointment 1
Who appoints notaries public in Washington State?