Notary Commissions

REMOTE ONLINE NOTARY IS HERE! Email [email protected] for more information. IPEN and RON Application for Endorsement Notification

The Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA) manages the DC Notary Public commission processes for traditional DC Notary Publics and DC Notary Publics with electronic endorsements.

Below is information for:

Finding a DC Notary Public
Becoming a Commissioned DC Notary Public: Requirements and application
DC Notary Public Endorsements: Electronic Notary (IPEN) and Remote Online Notary (RON)
Existing Notary Resources

The below are helpful resources.

ONCA: New Notary Application Guide 2026

ONCA_Renewal_Applicant_Guide_2026_IPO_v2

ONCA: Renewal Notary Calendar: FY26

For additional assistance, please email [email protected] for promptest service.

I Need A Notary

ONCA does not notarize documents. Please consider conducting an online search for a commissioned DC Notary Public. An additional option is to use the Notary Public Map to search for a DC Notary by address. Kindly consider contacting the financial institution with which you bank. Many financial institutions provide notarial services for their customers.

I Am A DC Notary Public

Thank you for being a valued member of the DC Notary Public family. Your service is appreciated. The Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA) looks forward to continuing working with you.

Changes During an Active Commission

DC Notary Publics are required to notify ONCA within 15 calendar days if there have been any changes during the commission period. Please complete the appropriate change form and email to [email protected]

Renewals

District constituents and other stakeholders rely on the valuable service provided by DC Notaries Public. Please don’t let the commission lapse. Kindly submit a renewal online application here:

Apply to be a DC Notary Public

ONCA_Renewal_Applicant_Guide_2026_IPO_v2

ONCA: Renewal Notary Calendar: FY26

Current DC Notary Publics may submit an application to renew commissions ninety (90) to thirty (30) days before the current commission expires to maintain concurrent commission dates.

If the application is submitted less than thirty (30) days before the commission expires, or after the current commission expiration date, the application may be approved, but the new commission start date will NOT be concurrent with the previous commission expiration date.

ONCA may not "re-issue" or "change the dates" after a Provisional Commission Letter has expired when the commission completion window has expired, but will be happy to extend a new Provisional Commission Letter after submission of a new application. Supplies and Surety Bond must have the commission start and end date of the new Provisional Commission Letter.

Please email [email protected] to report a new application is being submitted as result of expired Provisional Commission Letter.

I Want to Be a DC Notary Public: New and Renewal Applicants

Both new and renewal applicants are required to submit an application. Please submit the online DC Notary Application 2026.

ONCA: New Notary Application Guide 2026

ONCA_Renewal_Applicant_Guide_2026_IPO_v2

ONCA: Renewal Notary Calendar: FY26

To Apply: General Application Requirements

18 years of age or older
United States citizen or permanent legal resident (Verification may be requested)
Resident or employee in the District of Columbia (Must have a verifiable physical address in the District of Columbia)
- Business or Government Commission: Applicant may reside outside the District of Columbia but must maintain a primary place of business or employment within the District of Columbia.
- Dual Commission: Applicant must live and work in the District of Columbia.
- Residential Commission: Applicant must live in the District of Columbia with a physical residential address.
Submit $75 application fee.
Provide a Letter of Request
- Business or Government Commission: On agency or company letterhead, supervisor provides a statement of how or why notarial services will be provided in the course of work: include supervisor name, title/position, and contact information.
- Dual Commission and Residential Commission: Provide a statement of how or why notarial services will be provided
Complete New Notary Orientation (If a new applicant or if the commission has been expired more than 12 months.)

FAQ’s

How long does it take? Applications are reviewed in at least five (5) business days.

Completion of the commission process is contingent on the applicant. Once the Provisional Commission Letter is issued, the applicant may have 60 to 30 days to complete the commission window. New applicants may attend the next ortientation after application approval and payment. For new applicants, the Provisional Commission Letter is issued within 2 days of orientation attendance. The commission window closes 60 days from the provisional commission start date.

Renewal applicants receive the Provisional Commission Letter is immediatly at approval and payment via email. Renewal applicants may apply 90-30 days before the current commission expiration date.

How much is the application fee? $75

How do I know if I was approved? Applicants receive an email at each step of the application process.

Do I have to go to training? New applicants attend the DC New Notary Public Orientation. If a renewal applicant has been uncommissioned for more than 1 year, orientation is required. Renewal applicants are invited to the DC Notary Open House for important program and regulatory updates; to complete the DC Notary Public Oath; and receive the DC Notary Public Commission Certificate.

My Provisional Commission Letter expired. Can ONCA just change the date and give me a new letter? No. ONCA may not "re-issue" or "change the dates" after a Provisional Commission Letter has expired when the commission completion window has expired, but will be happy to extend a new Provisional Commission Letter after submission of a new application. Supplies and Surety Bond must have the commission start and end date of the new Provisional Commission Letter. Please email [email protected] to report a new application is being submitted as result of expired Provisional Commission Letter.

Why was my application denied? There may several reasons an application is denied or ineligible.

Under 18
If there has been a felony conviction
If the business or residential address is not a physical address in DC
If the commission has been revoked

Commission & Endorsements

Traditional Notary Commissions

A traditional commissioned notary public verifies identity, witnesses signatures, and notarizes paper documents in person using a handwritten signature and an official ink stamp or seal.

The signer appears in person before the notary.
In‑person verification of the signer’s identity.
Paper documents stamped with seal and signed with original (“wet”) signatures.
Handwritten notary signature and ink stamp or seal applied.

Commission Endorsements: IPEN & RON

A DC Notary Public Commission Endorsement is an authorization from ONCA added to an existing DC Notary Public traditional commission to perform In-Person Electronic Notarizations (IPEN) and/or Remote Online Notarization (RON) using digital tools instead of paper. The endorsement is an extension to a current commission, requiring approved training, registration of technology, and notification to the DC Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA) of intent to provide electronic notarial services whether IPEN or RON.

Electronic Notary Public: In‑Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN)

IPEN requires the signer to appear in person before the notary, however, instead of signing paper documents and applying a physical stamp, both the notary and the signer use approved electronic platforms to complete the notarization.

The signer appears in person before the notary.
In‑person verification of the signer’s identity.
Documents are reviewed and signed electronically.
The notary applies a digital seal and signature.
The completed notarization is delivered as a secure electronic file.

IPEN Endorsement Requirements

IPEN and RON Application for Endorsement Notification

1 year as a commissioned DC notary public
$30 endorsement fee
Complete training with a recognized IPEN/RON training vendor.
Provide the name of the IPEN/RON vendor/software to be used at submission of the ONCA Request to Perform Electronic (IPEN) form.
Submit proof of digital seal and electronic signature on the DC Notary Public: Electronic Endorsement Oath Form.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) Endorsement

DC Notary Publics authorized to perform RON are not required to be physically present with the signer. Instead, the notarization is completed through real‑time audio‑visual communication technology, allowing the signer and DC Notary Public to interact remotely.

***The DC Notary Public must be physically located in the District of Columbia while performing the virtual notarial act.

Complete the remote notary notification form.
Select one or more authorized remote online notary vendors.
If the form is completed and an authorized remote notary online vendor was selected, an email confirming authorization to perform remote notarial acts is sent.

RON Endorsement Requirements

IPEN and RON Application for Endorsement Notification

1 year as a commissioned DC notary public
IPEN endorsement
$30 endorsement fee
Complete training with a recognized RON training vendor.
Provide the name of the RON vendor/software to be used at submission of the ONCA Request to Perform Remote Online Notarizations (RON) form.
Submit proof of digital seal and electronic signature on the DC Notary Public: Remote Online Endorsement Oath Form.

Process Overview

Register: Notify ONCA of intent to perform IPEN and Remote notarial acts.
Verify Technology Vendor: Provide technology vendor information to ONCA.
Use Technology: Use approved software to verify the signer's identity and apply your electronic seal.
Journal: Keep an electronic journal of all IPEN and/or remote notarial transactions.