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.

ONCA does not notarize documents, 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

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

Renewals

• Don't forget to renew your commission.  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/

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]

• ONCA: Notary Address Change Form
• ONCA: Notary Employment Change Form
• ONCA: Notary Name Change Form
• ONCA: Notary Resignation Form
• ONCA: Notary Lost or Stolen Supplies Form

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

• New Applicant Guide: Apply to Be A DC Notary Public
• Renewal Applicant Guide: Renewal DC Notary Public Application

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.

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.

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

New Notary Commission Process

New Applicant Guide: Apply to Be A DC Notary Public

Renewal Notary Commission Process

Renewal Applicant Guide: Renewal DC Notary Public Application

Traditional Notary Public 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 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.

Feature	Traditional Notary	IPEN (In-Person Electronic)	RON (Remote)
Document	Paper	Electronic	Electronic
Signature	Wet-ink	Electronic/Stylus	Electronic
Identity Check	Physical ID review	Physical ID review	KBA & Credential Analysis
Record Keeping	Paper Journal	Digital Log	Digital Video/Log
Best For	Traditional paper transactions	Tech-forward person	Tech forward person performing distant, quick transactions
Location	In-person (same room)	In-person (same room)	Remote/Virtual                               *** The DC Notary MUST be in DC when performing services.)

Electronic Notary Public: Electronic In‑Person 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 which remote type of remote notary you are applying to perform.
  • You can select one or both of the following options: notaries public who intend to perform remote notarial acts on electronic records using an authorized remote online notary vendor and/or
  • notaries public who intend to perform remote notarial acts using other communication technology
• Select one or more authorized remote online notary vendors
• If the form is completed and an authorized remote notary online vendor was selected, you will receive an email confirming you are authorized to perform remote notarial acts.
• If the form is incomplete or an unauthorized remote notary vendor was selected, you will receive an email informing you that you are not authorized to perform remote notarial acts.
• You are allowed to re-submit a remote notary notification form to correct the error on the originally submitted remote notary notification form.​​​​

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

More Information:

• Apply to Be A DC Notary Public: NEW APPLICANTS
• To Apply to Be A DC Notary Public: RENEWAL APPLICANTS
• IPEN and RON Application for Endorsement Notification
• District of Columbia Notary Public Municipal Notary Commission Codes
• District of Columbia Municipal Regulations: Notary Regulations