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Notary Rotary

Welcome to Notary Public 101

Here, you can learn how to become a notary, how to renew your notary commission, and where to find educational opportunities for notaries public.

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Notary Education
Become a Notary in Oregon
Find a Notary Class in Oregon
Begin Notary Public 101

In most states, becoming a notary public involves meeting a number of requirements. Generally, you must be 18 years of age, not have a serious criminal history, and successfully complete an application process. In some states, the notary application process will require notary education (ranging from a simple online course to a notary class and competency exam) and a background check, as well as the purchase of a surety bond. A more thorough explanation for your state is described below.

 

Become an Oregon notary public with Notary Rotary, Inc.

Qualifications:

To be a notary public in Oregon, you must meet certain qualifications at the time of application:​

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Be a resident of Oregon or have a place of employment or practice in Oregon
  • Be able to read and write English
  • Never had a notary public commission revoked during the 10-year period preceding the application date
  • Never have been convicted of a felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit during the 10-year period preceding the application date
  • Have completed a notary training course within the last 6 months
    • Note: The training course is not required of current Oregon notaries with an active commission at the time the new application is received in the Secretary of State's office.
  • Never convicted of a felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit during the 10-year period preceding the application date
  • Have passed the Secretary of State’s Notary Public examination​

Term of Appointment:

The term of office of a notary public is four (4) years commencing with the effective date specified in the notarial commission. A notary public may perform notarial acts during the term of the commission, or until the commission is revoked, but may not perform notarial acts during any period when the commission is suspended.

Step 1: Complete the mandatory training course

For all first-time Oregon notary applicants, a mandatory training course is required along with the application, exam and filing fee.  Oregon notaries with an active commission are exempt from the training requirement if  they complete and pass the exam and submit their application before their commission expiration date.  However, all notaries are encouraged to take the tutorial or attend a class to make sure their knowledge is up to date and they are aware of new laws and administrative rules.

To meet the training requirements you may take an in-person seminar or complete an on-line training course.  Courses are offered by the Secretary of State at no charge. Courses area also offered by certified education providers for a fee.  For more information on the approved courses, please visit this page on the Secretary of State's website, or call (503) 986-2593.

Step 2: Pass the required online exam and submit the application

The exam is a yes/no, true/false and multiple-choice questions test.  It is based on the information covered in the training course and from the Oregon Notary Public Guide.  Please be sure to read the material in the guide carefully before you proceed with the exam.  You may want to have a copy of the guide available while taking the exam.

The quickest way to take the exam and submit the Oregon Application is online, or with the PDF. There is also a paper application and test that may be completed, printed and mailed in to:

Secretary of State

255 Capitol St NE, Ste 151

Salem, OR 97310-1327

Both forms are available online, here.

Step 3: Complete the background check and take the Oath of Office

Once the background check and revocation search is complete, you will receive an email that will contain a PDF attachment of the Oath of Office.  (If you do not pass the background check or revocation search, you will receive a different email notificaiton.)

Print out the Oath of Office document.  It must be signed in front of a notary and submitted to the Secretary of State at the above address, along with a $40 processing fee.  The Oath needs to be returned within 30 days of being issued or you will need to re-apply and submit the application fee again.  The Find a Notary feature from Notary Rotary may be helpful in contacting a notary public.

Step 4: Receive your commission from the Secretary of State's office and order your required supplies from Notary Rotary, Inc.

After the Oath has been processed, you will receive an email that includes a PDF copy of your Commission Certificate and the Certificate of Authorization.  If everything is correct, you may order your supplies from Notary Rotary, Inc.

Oregon law requires every notary to use an Oregon notary seal or stamp on every notary certificate. Oregon law also requires that a notary public keep a notary journal.  To order these and other Oregon notary supplies, please visit the Notary Rotary online store.  To order, enter the required information, scroll down through the page to locate and select the desired products, and follow the instructions through checkout.

When you have finished placing your order, you will need to mail, FAX or email the Commission Certificate you received from the state to us before we may legally make your official seal or stamp.  Certificates should be mailed to:

Notary Rotary, Inc.
PO Box 41400
Des Moines, IA 50311-0507

Email:support@notaryrotary.com

FAX: 877-349-6590

Your order will be processed as soon as we receive your Commission Certificate and usually shipped within 2-3 days.

As soon as you receive your commission, notary stamp or seal and notary journal, you may begin your duties as a commissioned notary public for the State of Oregon.


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