Notary Commissions

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 and remote endorsements.

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.
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
Submit $75 application fee.
Complete New Notary Orientation (If a new applicant or if the commission has been expired more than 12 months.)

Below is information for:

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

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.

I am a DC Notary Public and Need to Change Something

ONCA must be notified within fifteen (15) calendar days after changes which occur to any information provided on the DC Notary Public Application for Commission. Authority: 17 DCMR § 2430.1.

Once the form is submitted, please expect an acknowledgement email within five (5) business days of form submission with next steps, including links to upload documents, if required.

Address Change During Commission Form

Employer Change During Commission Form

Lost and Stolen Supplies During Commission Form

Name Change During Commission Form

Resignation of Commission Form

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

It's More Than 90 Days Before My Commission Expires: Please submit a renewal application 90-30 days before a commission expiration date. ONCA may not accept applications earlier, as applicant information may change.

It's 90-30 Days Before My Commission Expires: 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.

The new commission dates will be concurrent with the current commission.
The Provisional Commission Notice (PCN) to purchase new supplies and surety bond will be sent via email within 3 business days at application approval and payment, but no earlier than sixty (60) days before the provisional commission start date.

It's Less Than 30 Days Before My Commission Expires: If the application is submitted less than thirty (30) days before the commission expires the application may be submitted and reviewed, but the new commission start date will NOT be concurrent with the previous commission expiration date.

The new commission date will be based on the date the applicant was approved.
The Provisional Commission Notice (PCN) to purchase new supplies and surety bond will be sent within 3 business days at application approval and payment.

My Commission Already Expired: If the commission has expired the application may be submitted for review, but the new commission start date will NOT be concurrent with the previous commission expiration date.

The new commission date will be based on the date the applicant was approved and completed payment.
The Provisional Commission Notice (PCN) to purchase new supplies and surety bond will be sent within 3 business days of application approval and receipt of payment.

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 Notice is issued, the applicant may have 60 to 30 days to complete the commission window. New applicants may attend the next orientation after application approval and payment. For new applicants, the Provisional Commission Notice 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 Notice via email within 3 business days of approval and payment. 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 Notice 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 Notice has expired when the commission completion window has expired, but will be happy to extend a new Provisional Commission Notice after submission of a new application. Supplies and Surety Bond must have the commission start and end date of the new Provisional Commission Notice. Please email [email protected] to report a new application is being submitted as result of expired Provisional Commission Notice.

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: In-Person Electronic Notary (IPEN) & Remote Notary

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 Notarization 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 remote notary.

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 Remote Notary Application for Endorsement Notification

1 year as a commissioned DC notary public
$30 endorsement fee
Complete training with a recognized IPEN training vendor.
Provide the name of the IPEN 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 Notary Endorsement

DC Notary Publics authorized to perform remote notarizations 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 notary vendors.
If the form is completed and an authorized remote notary vendor was selected, an email confirming authorization to perform remote notarial acts is sent.

Remote Notary Endorsement Requirements

IPEN and Remote Notary Application for Endorsement Notification

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