Oregon Secretary of State

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Notary Practice FAQs

​​​​​​Getting your Commission

To become a notary in Oregon, you must take the Notary Basics training, take and pass the notary test, and apply for a commission. The application includes a background check to verify that you have not been convicted of a disqualifying crime in the ten years previous to your application. You can find more information about the qualifications to become a notary here. You can find more information about the formats and schedules for training, and instructions for how to register, here on our notary training page​.
Bonds or E&O insurance are not currently required in Oregon. However, it is a good idea to at least consider insurance. If you are involved in an investigation or court case, it can cost you thousands of dollars to protect your reputation even if you have done nothing wrong.​

Notary Best Practices

It is required by law that you keep your commission information current with the Secretary of State. You can update any of this information using the forms linked on this page​.
Statute does not forbid you from notarizing for other relatives, but it is best practice not to do so. If a notarization for a relative were ever to be part of an investigation or lawsuit, it might look as though you were not impartial (one of the requirements for a notary).​
No. Choosing a certificate for a customer or telling them what certificate is needed is giving legal advice, which notaries are forbidden to do. The customer must tell you which act is required, and then you may provide the correct certificate for that act. If the customer is unsure, you may show them the list of acts in the Notary Public Guide​ and allow them to choose.
​You may perform the identity verification that is required by the form, but as a representative of the employer, not as a notary. The I-9 form does not require notarization, and has no notarial language or certificate. For more information you can see these guidelines from the National Notary Association: I-9 Forms: What Notaries Need to Know​
​If the mistake is discovered while the customer is still there, you may simply correct the mistake on the original certificate (be sure to note it in your journal). If the customer has left, they will need to bring the document and certificate back to you for correction, they may not mail, email, or fax them to you to be corrected and returned.​
In Oregon, wills do not require notarization. Wills do require two witnesses, and notaries are often asked to witness the signatures of the two witnesses. This is permissible, but use extreme caution in doing so: if the will is contested, you could get drawn into any ensuing court case.​

The Notary Journal

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No. Notaries are not required to disclose information from their journals unless requested by the Secretary of State or subpoena. When disclosing information from the journal, the notary must safeguard the confidential information of other signers by concealing those entries.​
No and Yes. You must always keep your stamp as that has your commission information and you are required by law to keep it secure so that it cannot be used to commit fraud. Your employer may keep your journal if you have signed an agreement indicating that you are allowing them to do so. However, you should copy the pages and take them with you in case you are ever asked to provide information on a notarization you have performed.​
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Oregon Notary Public Application

Do you have questions about the Oregon Notary Public Application​? 

Try the Notary System FAQ for answers >