Notary Public
Oregon
Notary Public Commission Requirements
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
Yes
Education Required
online allowed
Yes
Exam Required
state exam
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
Application Process
VerifiedMeet eligibility requirements (18+, Oregon resident or employed in Oregon, able to read and write English, no disqualifying convictions in past 10 years)
Complete the Notary Basics training course (within 6 months before application)
Pass the Oregon Secretary of State's Notary Public examination (online, open-book)
Submit application through the Online Notary Application portal with background check
Receive Oath of Office form from SOS
Sign and have Oath of Office notarized
File signed oath with $40 application fee
Receive commission certificates from SOS
Order official notary stamp/seal meeting state guidelines
Maintain required notary journal
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be an Oregon resident or have a place of employment or practice in Oregon.
Citizenship
Not explicitly required. Oregon law focuses on residency/employment rather than citizenship status.
Background Check
Background check conducted on all applications. No felony convictions or crimes involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit in the preceding 10 years. Cannot have had a notary commission revoked in the past 10 years. Also cannot have been convicted of impersonating a notary, obstructing governmental administration, or practicing law without a license.
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
RequiredMust complete the Notary Basics training course within 6 months before the exam/application date. As of January 1, 2025, this requirement also applies to renewal applicants (training required every 4 years).
Online courses: Allowed
Exam
RequiredMust pass the Secretary of State's Notary Public examination. It is an online, open-book exam covering true-false and multiple-choice questions based on official guides and tutorials.
Administered by: Oregon Secretary of State (online)
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Not RequiredOregon does not require notaries to purchase a surety bond.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredNot required by law. Optional E&O insurance is available for personal protection.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredRectangular or circular ink stamp required. Must include the Oregon state seal/emblem on the left, notary's name (as commissioned), 'OFFICIAL STAMP', 'NOTARY PUBLIC-OREGON', 'COMMISSION NO.' followed by commission number, and 'MY COMMISSION EXPIRES' with expiration date (Month DD, YYYY). All text centered to the right of the state seal. Must be legible and reproducible in dark ink. Embosser alone is not sufficient.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $40 |
Bond Premium Bond not required in Oregon | N/A |
Stamp / Seal Approximate cost; purchased from private vendors | $30 |
Education Course Training course costs vary by provider. NNA and other vendors offer approved courses. | Varies |
Total Estimated Cost $40 application + $10 oath notarization + $30 seal + $30-$55 journal. Does not include training course cost. | $110-$135 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
As of January 1, 2025, renewal applicants must complete the Notary Basics training course (same as new applicants). Submit re-application through the Online Notary Application portal.
Renewal Fee
$40
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Oregon permits remote online notarizations. Applicants must complete an online course and application form and already hold an active traditional commission.
Additional Requirements
Must hold active traditional notary commission; complete RON-specific online course and application
Important Notes
What Makes Oregon Unique
Oregon does not require a surety bond but does require both training and an exam. The 2025 change requiring renewal applicants to also complete training every 4 years is notable. Oregon does not explicitly require U.S. citizenship, focusing instead on residency or employment in the state.
Oregon does not require a surety bond or E&O insurance - one of the states that relies on education and exam requirements instead.
As of January 1, 2025, both new and renewal applicants must complete the Notary Basics training course every 4 years.
Oregon explicitly disqualifies applicants who have been found to practice law unlawfully or engage in unlawful trade practices.
The 10-year lookback period for disqualifying convictions is more specific than many states.
Maximum notarization fee: $10 per notarial act.
Does not explicitly require U.S. citizenship - focuses on residency/employment.
⚠ Data Conflicts Found
The following fields have conflicting information across sources.
exam.passing_score
The specific passing score for the Oregon notary exam was not found in official sources or NNA. The exam is described as online and open-book but no minimum score percentage is publicly stated.
Sources
Find Notary Education Courses in Oregon
Oregon requires notary education. Complete your training through an approved provider.
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