OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

OF THE

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

NOTARY COMMISSIONS

AND

AUTHENTICATIONS

NOTARY PUBLIC HANDBOOK

441 4

Street, NW Suite 810 South

Washington, DC 20001

202 727-3117 -o

202 727-8457- f

www.os.dc.gov

notary@dc.gov

Revised 8-2019

Contents

I. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 4

II. Requirements to Become a Notary Public ...................................................................................... 4

III. Types of Notaries Public ................................................................................................................... 5

New: .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Renewal: ................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Business Notary: ....................................................................................................................................................... 5

Residential Notary: ................................................................................................................................................... 5

DC Government Notary: ........................................................................................................................................... 5

Federal Government Notary: .................................................................................................................................... 6

Dual – Business: ........................................................................................................................................................ 6

Dual – Gov/DC:.......................................................................................................................................................... 6

Dual – Gov/Federal: .................................................................................................................................................. 6

IV. How to Obtain a Commission .......................................................................................................... 7

Application: ............................................................................................................................................................... 7

Letter(s) of Request: ................................................................................................................................................. 8

Application Fee: ........................................................................................................................................................ 8

Review Process and Notifications: ............................................................................................................................ 8

Orientation: .............................................................................................................................................................. 9

Publication in the DC Register: ................................................................................................................................. 9

Notification of Appointment and Completion of Commission Process: ................................................................... 9

Notary Supplies: ...................................................................................................................................................... 10

Notary Sealer and Seal: ....................................................................................................................................... 10

Placement of Seal: .............................................................................................................................................. 10

Information Required on Seal: ............................................................................................................................ 10

Inker: ................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Journal: § 1–1231.18 ........................................................................................................................................... 11

Notarial Certificate – Short Forms: ..................................................................................................................... 11

Jurat and Acknowlegment Descriptions: ................................................................................................................ 12

Bond Requirements: ............................................................................................................................................... 13

Surety Bond - Proof of Payment: ............................................................................................................................ 13

Oath of Office: ........................................................................................................................................................ 13

Certificate of Appointment: .................................................................................................................................... 14

Unclaimed Commission: ......................................................................................................................................... 14

V. Requirements of a Commissioned Notary .................................................................................... 14

Records: .................................................................................................................................................................. 14

Schedule of Fees: .................................................................................................................................................... 14

VI. Role of Notaries Public ................................................................................................................... 15

Official Acts: ............................................................................................................................................................ 15

Commissioned Notary: ........................................................................................................................................... 15

Witnessing and Attesting to Signatures: ................................................................................................................ 15

Administration of Oaths and Affirmations: ............................................................................................................ 16

Below are Examples of Oaths and Affirmations: ................................................................................................ 17

Oaths: .................................................................................................................................................................. 17

Affirmations: ....................................................................................................................................................... 19

Identification Requirements: .................................................................................................................................. 20

Jurisdiction: ............................................................................................................................................................. 21

Items Eligible for Notarial Acts: .............................................................................................................................. 21

Restrictions: ............................................................................................................................................................ 22

District notaries may never: ............................................................................................................................... 22

VII. Change of Commission Information ............................................................................................. 23

Changing the Name on a Commission: ................................................................................................................... 23

Change of Address/Employer: ................................................................................................................................ 23

Expiration of Commission: ...................................................................................................................................... 24

VIII. Additional Information ................................................................................................................... 25

Reappointments: .................................................................................................................................................... 25

Refusal to Notarize: ................................................................................................................................................ 25

Lost or Stolen Notary Seal/Sealer - Journal: ........................................................................................................... 25

Search for A Notary Public: ..................................................................................................................................... 25

IX. Denial or Revocation of Notary Commission ............................................................................... 26

I. Introduction

THE OFFICE OF NOTARY COMMISSIONS AND AUTHENTICATIONS HAS TWO

The Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA) is a division of the Office of the

Secretary of the District of Columbia. ONCA commissions notaries public for a renewable term of five

years. This Handbook provides information you will need to learn about the requirements to become a

notary, the process to apply, and the responsibilities and restrictions in being a notary public along with

other helpful information. Please note there are many changes in this Handbook as the code for notaries

public has been amended as of December, 2018 and the ONCA is now computerized allowing

applications and notifications to be done in a much more efficient and professional manner. After reading

the Handbook, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the ONCA office at: 202 727-3117,

[email protected].

A District of Columbia (District) notary public is a public officer whose function is to notarize

documents, administer oaths and attestations and witness the signature of the person(s) personally

appearing before him or her. Notaries public protect against fraud and forgery by acting as an official,

unbiased witness to the identity of the person who is signing a document. A notary is only certifying that

the person in front of you is in fact that person. You are NOT notarizing the actual document or taking

part in a deposition or other actions. It is therefore critical that you always require valid identification and

that the individual be present.

Official acts of a notary public are recognized in the District and throughout the United States. As District

public officers, notaries public are held to the same high standard of public trust in the exercise of their

duties as are other appointed and elected District officials.

The ONCA office is open for walk-in customers from 9AM-1PM; staff is available by phone and email

from 8:15AM-4:45PM, Monday-Friday.

II. Requirements to Become a Notary Public

To become a notary public in the District of Columbia you must:

• Be a resident of the District of Columbia to hold a residential commission.

• Have a primary place of business or employment to hold a business or government commission.

• Be a resident and have a primary place of business or employment to hold a dual commission.

• Be at least 18 years of age.

• Be a citizen or legal or permanent legal resident of the United States.

• Complete the application found on our website: www.os.dc.gov/ Notary & Authentications/Notary

Commissions. Include the letter(s) of request.

• Include the application fee of $75 (except for those applying only on behalf of the DC or federal

government).

• When you take the oath of office you will fill out a form stating that the applicant is able to read

and write in the language of any record on which the applicant performs a notarial act. Existing

notaries may continue to notarize documents in any language regardless of whether they can read

or write in that language, but when they renew their commission they will be required to read and

write in any language they will be performing notarial services.

III. Types of Notaries Public

You may apply for a new commission or to renew your existing commission.

New:

An individual applying to become a notary public in the District of Columbia for the first time.

Renewal:

An individual applying to renew a commission as a notary public in the District of Columbia. The

applicant must include the expiration date of the current commission. NOTE: If the commission has

expired over twelve (12) months from the expiration date of the current commission, the individual must

apply as a new applicant.

To determine if you will have any lapse in your commission please visit our website: www.os.dc.gov,

Notary & Authentications, Notary Commissions. There is a link to a timeline showing when your

sufficient application must be processed in ordere to not have a lapse in your commission.

The definitions below are for the categories of commissions.

Business Notary:

A business notary public is an individual whose primary place of business or employment is within the

District; a person applying for only a business commission need not live in Washington, DC. The

information on the application must include a physical DC address for the place of business and a DC

phone number for the places of business. The applicant’s supervisor must make the request for

appointment in writing on official company letterhead that displays a physical District of Columbia

address that matches the physical DC address on the application and a DC phone number. If the business

does not have letterhead with this information, then the letter of request must include the information and

an explanation as to why the letterhead does not include the same physical address as the application or a

DC phone number. The letter must include the name of the applicant and the justification for the notary

commission. The justifications must indicate how service and convenience to members of the public

and/or their business will be improved. This must be a letter of request; not a character reference. Please

note that the supervisor writing the letter of request may not serve as a reference on the application.

Residential Notary:

A residential notary public must live in Washington, DC with a physical address in DC. The applicant

must submit a residential letter of request describing the need for the commission to be used; this cannot

be work related. This letter must be on letterhead with a physical address in the District of Columbia that

matches the address on the application. The letter of request must state why the individual wishes to be a

notary for residential purposes only, for example to serve the community; it may not make any reference

to notarial acts in a job. The application fee is required and the surety bond will be required.

DC Government Notary:

A DC government notary is an individual applying only on behalf of an agency of the District of

Columbia. You will only be allowed to perform notarial acts on behalf of the District of Columbia. A

letter of request from the supervisor on the agency/department letterhead with the physical DC address

that matches the address on the application, and a DC phone number must be included. An original or

valid electronic signature is required. The letter must state why notarial services are needed for the

applicant. Please note that the supervisor writing the letter of request may not serve as a reference on the

application. No application fee is required and no surety bond will be required. You may not charge

for your notarial services.

Federal Government Notary:

A federal government notary is an individual applying only on behalf of a federal government agency

located with a physical address within the District of Columbia and a DC phone number. You will only

be allowed to perform notarial acts on behalf of the federal government. A letter of request from the

supervisor on the agency/department letterhead with the physical DC address that matches the address on

the application, and a DC phone number must be included. An original or valid electronic signature is

required. The letter must state why notarial services are needed for the applicant. Please note that the

supervisor writing the letter of request may not serve as a reference on the application. No application fee

is required, but a surety bond will be required. You may not charge for your notarial services.

Dual – Business:

If an individual would like to be commissioned as both a residential and business notary, the application

is submitted as Dual-Business. The home and primary place of employment must both be in the District

of Columbia. You will then be allowed to perform notarial acts on your own behalf (for the community)

and for your employer. A letter from you and from your supervisor at the business must be submitted

with the application but only one fee is required. Those who apply for a dual commission will be listed

with the home contact information. The letters of request must each be on letterhead with a physical

DC address that matches the address on the application and the business letter must include a DC phone

number. The application fee is required and the surety bond will be required.

Dual – Gov/DC:

If an individual would like to be commissioned as both a residential and DC government notary, the

application is submitted as Dual-Gov/DC. Both the physical residence and DC government addresses

must be in DC. You will then be allowed to perform notarial acts on your own behalf (for the

community) as well as for the District government. A letter from you and from your Agency/Department

Head supervisor must be submitted with the application and you must pay the application fee. Those

who apply for a dual commission will be listed with the home contact information. The letters of

request must each be on letterhead with a physical DC address that matches the address on the application

and the government letter must include a DC phone number. You must pay the $75 application fee.

The surety bond will be required. You may charge a fee for notarial acts done in your residential

commission.

Dual – Gov/Federal:

If an individual would like to be commissioned as both a residential and federal government notary, the

application is submitted as Dual-Gov/Federal. Both the physical residence and federal government

addresses must be in DC. You will then be allowed to perform notarial acts on your own behalf (for the

community) as well as for the federal government. A letter from you and from your Agency/Department

Head supervisor must be submitted with the application and you must pay the application fee. Those

who apply for a dual commission will be listed with the home contact information. The letters of

request must each be on letterhead with a physical DC address that matches the address on the application

and the government letter must include a DC phone number. The surety bond will be required. You

may charge a fee for notarial acts done in your residential commission.

IV. How to Obtain a Commission

To begin the process of obtaining a notary commission or a reappointment as a notary public, the steps

listed below must be completed and the application and the applicable commission fees must be submitted

to ONCA. All materials submitted for appointment as a notary public become the property of the DC

Government. The entire process takes about 45-60 days once the application has been approved.

Application:

The notary public application is available on the Office of the Secretary website: www.os.dc.gov, Notary

& Authentications, Notary Commissions. You must read through the instructions first and confirm

you have read them before filling out the application. These instructions are critical and if you don’t

follow them and fill in all the required forms you will not be able to submit the application. If you submit

the application and it is not sufficient it will be returned.

You MUST use the form provided on our website. We will no longer accept the PDF version. If you

submit the PDF version by mail or in person it will be returned to you.

Applications submitted in all CAPITALS in any field will be denied and returned for correction. You

may only capitalize the first letter of each word in each field. Example: Mark Smith, 500 Anywhere

Road, NW.

The application requires each individual to select the type of commission: Business, Residential,

Government-DC, Government-Federal, Dual/Business, Dual/Government-DC or Dual/Government-

Federal.

All applicants must provide their home address, but if you are applying for a residential commission

your work information is not required. Applicants for a business or government commission, including

dual commissions, must provide their physical work address, which must be located with a physical

address in the District of Columbia, and a work phone number with a 202 area code.

The application form includes required boxes to be filled in and you will not be allowed to submit the

application unless these sections are completed.

Link to Application:

https://nap.os.dc.gov/index.html

When you fill out the application, you will have the choice to send it online, send it by mail or come to

our office. When you receive the notices for your signature and payment, you will have the same options.

If you decide to print the application and mail it to us, you may then only pay by check or money order

payable to “DC Treasurer.” If you pay online or come to the office, you may also pay by American

Express, Discover, Master Card and VISA. The process will be much faster if you choose the options to

sign and then pay online.

You will also be allowed to save the application and complete it at a later date; if you choose to do this,

the application will be sent to you by email. The email will include a link to your saved application.

Letter(s) of Request:

Each application must include an original letter of request for each commission for which you are

applying explaining the need for the applicant to be a notary for business, residential, or government

reasons. The letter must be on business, personal or government letterhead, must have a physical District

address, must have a District phone number (for business), and must have an original or approved

electronic signature and the address on the letter must match the address on the application. The

individual writing the letter of request may not be used as a reference on the application, nor may a family

member be used as a reference. The letter(s) of request must state the reason(s) the individual is needed as

a notary; they may not be a character reference. If you are self-employed and writing your own business

letter of request, this must be explained in the letter. Residential letters of request must explain why the

commission is needed in the residence – for example for the community or volunteer organizations, it

may not include uses for business. Applications for renewal must include the letter(s) of request.

When submitting your application online, you must upload the letter(s) per the instructions on the

application form.

Once you have submitted your application online do not submit one in-person or by mail We only want

one application and the application fee is non-refundable (see below). If we receive more than one

application, it will delay the process.

Application Fee:

The notary public fee application is $75 and is non-refundable. Employees of the District and federal

government are exempt from the notary application fee requirement. However, should a government

notary public desire a dual commission (see “Types of Notaries Public,” above in Part III), an application

fee will be charged.

Review Process and Notifications:

All notifications to notary applicants are sent via email. The email you provide must be one that you are

certain you will receive; if you choose a group or company email, be certain the information will get to

you. If you do not wish to receive notifications by email, be certain to note this on the application.

Once ONCA has received the application and supportive materials, you will receive an email that your

application has been received; this may take 2-3 days after you have submitted the application. If the

application is deemed sufficient, you will then receive an email stating you must sign the document.

Once this is done, you will press submit and then the document will be returned to our office with your

signature.

Once the signed document has been received you will receive an email allowing you to pay online by

credit card. Once you have done this you will then receive an email notifying you your application has

been approved. Your application cannot be approved until all these requirements have been met. Note:

Those applying for commissions on behalf of the DC or federal government only will not receive the

email for payment.

If you choose, you may print the application at either the signature stage or payment stage and submit the

application manually. If you do this, you must provide an original signature on your application as well

as the letter(s) of request. If you mail in the application, you may pay only by check or money order

payable to “DC Treasurer.” If you come to the office, then you may pay by check, money order,

American Express, Master Card or VISA. Using the manual process may delay processing your

application.

NOTE: Those being commissioned only on behalf of the DC or federal government will not have to

pay the application fee, but will still have to sign the application and submit it.

If your application is not sufficient, it will be returned to you with an explanation of what must be

corrected before the application can be processed. If the application was submitted online, the denial

letter will be returned to you by email with an explanation of the errors; if we received the application by

mail, the denial letter, application and supportive materials will be mailed to you.

Your application will not be approved and completed until you provide us with a corrected application. If

you are applying to renew your commission this could delay your new appointment date.

Orientation:

Each new applicant must attend a mandatory orientation session covering the applicable notary rules,

regulations and policies in the District. ONCA schedules the orientation after a notary application is

approved. Each applicant will be notified of the date and time of the orientation by ONCA. Applicants

are automatically notified of two sessions. You must notify ONCA if you wish to be informed of

future sessions.

If you were previously commissioned and your commission expired more than 12 months before you re-

applied, you are considered a new applicant and must attend an orientation session.

Publication in the DC Register:

ONCA publishes the names of all applicants in the DC Register. This includes new applicants and those

applying to renew their commission. The DC Register is the legal publication for the District of Columbia

and allows the public to view the names of all applicants; this is not optional. Only the names and

addresses of the applicants’ commissions are published.

Once your name has been published in the DC Register you may be contacted by notary supply

companies or surety bond companies. It is up to you or your business if you wish to use that company or

another one. These companies have not been endorsed by ONCA; they have simply gotten your name

and address from the DC Register.

Notification of Appointment and Completion of Commission Process:

The Appointment Notice – your official notification that you are now eligible to purchase your supplies

and when applicable your surety bond is sent approximately two weeks prior to the beginning date of your

commission. You may not purchase any supplies until you receive this Appointment Notice.

If you have been working with an organization on your application, you may receive some supplies in

advance that are not dated, but you cannot order any supplies or get your surety bond until you have

received your Appointment Notice. More information about the surety bond requirement is found below.

All notary commissions in the District of Columbia begin on the 1

and 15

of each month and end on the

and last day of each month, except that in January they begin on January 2

and end on January 1

Commissions are for five (5) years.

Notary Supplies:

In order to take the oath of office, all applicants must bring the following items as described in the

Appointment Notice.

Notary Sealer and Seal:

A notary seal makes a raised impression in the paper; affixing or embossing the notary’s seal on a

tangible record. The notary seal is the physical image affixed or embossed on the document.. District

of Columbia notaries public the seal and sealer to complete all notarial acts. Each notary public must

furnish the notary sealer at his or her own expense. Be sure the sealer has the correct expiration date

for your commission when you receive it. In the past, this has been call the embosser. The sealer is

the equipment in which the seal is placed; these used to be called the embosser.

Placement of Seal:

The seal impression should never be placed over signatures and dates. Usually space is provided to the

left of the notary’s signature for the seal impression. If such space is not provided, the seal impression

should be placed near the notary’s signature.

The seal must be attached directly on the document. It may not be put on top of any other item such

as foil or other materials.

If there is no room to allow the notarization on the front side, you may perform the notarization on the

back. But notaries should refrain from attaching a blank document as this can be removed. The

exception would be in notarizing a true copy of a document.

Information Required on Seal:

§ 1–1231.16 There are five critical thresholds that the embosser must meet:

A) The notary public's name, exactly stated on the commission;

(B) The words "District of Columbia";

(D) Other information required by the Mayor;

No other language or description is allowed.

“A notary public shall affix his or her official signature and official sealer on every document notarized, at

the time the notarial act is performed.”

Inker:

A seal impression inker shall be used in conjunction with the official seal, making the impression

legible, permanent, and photographically reproducible. The notary public must ink their raised sealer

embossment, subsequent to its placement on a document, every time, no exceptions.

Journal: § 1–1231.18

DC law requires notaries to keep a journal of all notarial acts performed. A more detailed description

of the requirements may be found in the Records section; most notaries use a logbook/journal, but

you may use any official fair record that meets the requirements and you must bring this supply with

you when you come in to take the oath. Previously this has been called a fair record or logbook.

Notarial Certificate – Short Forms:

A notarial certificate is the language that must be on every document that is notarized. It may be pre-

prepared; if it isn’t, then you must use the stamp(s) you order when you receive your Appointment

Notice.

The certificate confirms the Notary has witnessed the signing of the document by the individual. By

executing this, the Notary guarantees that the signer personally appeared before the notary; the notary

is not attesting to any item in the document itself.

New applicants and those who be renewing after January, 2019 will be required to purchase a new

notary certificate/stamp. Please see the language below.

The two most common types of notarial stamps/certificates, Jurat and Acknowledgment, are described

below:

The traditional Jurat used on most documents will look like the sample below. You must bring the

Jurat stamp when you come to ONCA to take your oath.

Language - Jurat

District of Columbia

Signed and sworn to ( or affirmed) before me on ____________ by _______________________

Date Name(s) of Individuals(s) making statement

____________________________________________________________

Signature of notarial officer

Seal

[_______________________________________]

Title of office

[My commission expires: _______________________]

Language – Acknowledgement

An acknowledgment is typically executed on mortgages, deeds and other documents that will be

publicly recorded with a local agency such as the Recorder of Deeds.

District of Columbia

This record was acknowledged before me on ____________ by _______________________

Date Name(s) of Individuals(s) making statement

____________________________________________________________

Signature of notarial Officer

Seal

[_______________________________________]

Title of office

[My commission expires: _______________________]

In some instances, the documents may have pre-prepared Jurat, Acknowledgment or other short form

language. The language may read: “State of___, County of____” as these documents are often prepared

generically. You may simply cross out the “State of, County of,” initial it and write in “District of

Columbia: SS.”

Jurat and Acknowlegment Descriptions:

Because jurats and acknowledgments are different notarizations with different purposes, each requires its

own wording. You cannot use a jurat for an acknowledgment, or vice versa. Make sure you use the

language that we have provided above.

In general, the acknowledgment will contain the words, “acknowledged before me” or something similar.

Jurats will contain the words, “subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me.”

The Jurat, Acknowledgment or other appropriate language and the sealer/embosser must be used each

time a document is notarized. § 1–1231.15

If you are often involved in real estate transactions or similar matters, you may want to consider

purchasing two notary certificate/stamps.

While the Jurat and Acknowledgment stamps/certificates are the most commonly used, there are other

certificates, including for a true copy, in a representative capacity and for attesting to a signature.

If your stamp/certificate or sealer is lost stolen or damaged you are required to immediately notify our

office. § 1–1231.17

PLEASE NOTE: The notarial stamps/certificates described above are not the same as the certificate you

receive upon taking your oath of office. The certificate you receive is the official document stating you

have been appointed as a notary public in the District of Columbia and is the only credential provided by

the District of Columbia; we do not issue registration or other numbers for notaries.

Bond Requirements:

Business, residential, federal government and dual commissioned notaries public also must acquire a

surety bond in the amount of $2,000, covering the notary’s five-year term. The bond is not an insurance

policy. The bond serves for the protection of members of the public who may be affected as a result of

negligence or misconduct on the part of the notary. Those commissioned only on behalf of the DC

Government do not have to purchase a surety bond, but any dual commission requires a surety bond.

Applicants must use the bond form provided by the ONCA office sent with the Appointment Notice.

No other form is allowed. The form may not be altered (except that the bond companies may add the

bond number at the top) and must be signed by the surety agent. On the left side there are lines for two

witnesses; the one at the bottom is for a witness to the signature of the “Surety and Title.” This must be

signed before you come to our office. The top witness is for your signature as the notary applicant. If

you haven’t signed this before you come to the office, we will act as your witness. We will keep the

original bond form; if you wish to keep a copy, you must make one before you come to the office.

The bond form you will receive with the Appointment Notice can be filled out by the surety bond

company. It has fillable fields that may be done if you send it to them. They will then print it out and sign

it; we must have the original signature from the company. The company must mail it back to you as we

must have the original signed bond form.

The bond form is sent only to the notary applicant. ONCA will only answer questions from the notary

applicant. If a surety bond company has any questions, they need to be addressed through you as the

applicant.

Surety Bond - Proof of Payment:

Applicants must present the original receipt of the bond payment, with your name as it appears on the

Appointment Notice, marked Paid in Full with the amount paid and date it was paid. The receipt must

include the correct beginning and end date of your commission and the address at which the commission

is held.

If you wish to keep a copy of the surety bond form or receipt, you must make it before you come to the

office; ONCA will not make a copy.

Once your name has been published in the DC Register, you may be contacted by notary supply

companies or surety bond companies. It is up to you or your business if you wish to use that company or

another one. These companies have not been endorsed by ONCA; they have simply gotten your name

and address from the DC Register. ONCA may not recommend any supply or surety bond companies;

you may use the Internet to search for Notary Supply Companies, DC or Surety Bond Companies, DC.

Oath of Office:

Once you have your supplies, surety bond form and receipt, you must then come into the ONCA office

with your supplies and surety bond and receipt to complete and take the oath of office. The oath page

includes the address of your commission, the hours you are available, the signature you will use when

notarizing any document and the impression of your sealer. You may not perform any notarial acts until

you have taken the oath. If you have your supplies, completed surety bond form and surety bond receipt

prior to the date of your commission – whether new or renewal – you may come into the office and take

the oath, but you may not perform notarial acts until the date of your commission. For those renewing the

commission, there may be a lapse.

Certificate of Appointment:

Notaries Public in the District of Columbia are provided with a Certificate of Appointment upon taking

the oath of office. The District of Columbia does not provide registration numbers or other identifying

credentials for notaries public. You must keep this as your official record that you are a notary public in

the District of Columbia. This certificate will have your name as it will be used on your commission and

you must sign your name when you notarize documents as it appears on this certificate.

Unclaimed Commission:

A notary commission that is not claimed within 60 days from the beginning date of the commission

on the Appointment Notice will be cancelled. Cancellation of commission requires the applicant to

re-complete the entire process i.e. submit a new application. The applicant may be required to take

orientation again depending upon when the application is re-submitted.

V. Requirements of a Commissioned Notary

Records:

Each notary public is required by law to keep a journal of all official acts. § 1–1231.18

If your service is ever questioned, you may be asked for this record.

•The name and address of each person for whom you notarize a document.

• The date he or she appeared before you.

• The type of identification presented to you.

• The type of document involved.

• The fee charged.

• The signatures of all those who signed the document.

The journal may be kept by hard copy or electronically, but if electronically, it must be on tamper-evident

technology. If by hardcopy, it must a permanent bound register with numbered pages.

Upon termination of a commission for any reason the notary must turn the journal into the ONCA office.

This is the notary’s responsibility, not the business or the agency.

Except as otherwise allowed by law, a notary public shall not withhold access to or possession of an

original record provided by a person that seeks performance of a notarial act by the notary public.

You must keep a record of each notarial act. Even if you are notarizing the same signature multiple

times, you must record each act.

You must keep your journal for the entire tenure of your commission. Even if you have completed one

journal you must keep it. If you change employers and keep your commission, you must take the records

with you.

Schedule of Fees:

Residential and business notaries may not charge more than $5.00 per notarial act, e.g. administering

oaths, taking affidavits, including a jurat or acknowledgment clause and sealer, or any other notarial act.

Notaries may waive the fee or charge less than the $5 fee, but may not charge more than the $5 fee.

Those commissioned solely on behalf of the DC or federal government are prohibited by law from

charging for their notarial services.

A notary may charge, upon agreement of the person to be charged, an amount not to exceed the actual and

reasonable expense of traveling to a place where a notarial act is to be performed if it is not the usual

place where the notary performs notarial acts. Traveling expenses shall be in writing, itemized, and

separate from the fee for the notarial act. § 1–1231.23 (b)

VI. Role of Notaries Public

Official Acts:

District of Columbia notaries public do not read the document presented for notarization, nor are they

required to understand or possess knowledge of the document’s contents. District notaries public may

notarize only the signature of the person personally appearing before him or her. A notary is only

certifying that the person in front of you is in fact that person. You are NOT notarizing the actual

document or taking part in a deposition or other actions. It is therefore essential that you always require

valid identification and that the individual be present.

After the person appearing before you has either attested or affirmed, you should proceed to perform the

proper notarial acts.

Commissioned Notary:

A commissioned District of Columbia notary public is an individual who has satisfied the appointment

requirements and taken the Oath and is authorized to perform the following:

• Obtain acknowledgments.

An acknowledgment is typically executed on mortgages, deeds and other documents that will be

publicly recorded with a local agency such as the Recorder of Deeds.

• Administer oaths and affirmations.

• Take verifications upon oaths or affirmations.

• Witness or attest signatures.

• Perform such acts for use and effect beyond the jurisdiction of the District according to the law of

any state or territory of the United States or any foreign government in amity with the United

States.

Notaries public are authorized to perform two types of notarial acts:

Witnessing and Attesting to Signatures:

A notary public may witness the signing of the document in their official capacity as follows:

• Obtain satisfactory proof of the identity of the person signing the document.

• Observe the signing of the document.

• Date, sign, and apply the notary’s sealer to document.

• Apply the appropriate short form stamp/certificate unless it is on the document.

• Record the notarization in the notary journal of official acts.

Administration of Oaths and Affirmations:

One of the most important duties of the Notary is to administer oaths and affirmations, which are solemn

promises of truthfulness made by a signer, witness, or new office-holder. An oath is a promise to a deity

and an affirmation is a pledge on one's personal honor.

It is customary for the Notary to ask the oath-taker or affiant to raise the right hand in a pledging gesture

or to place it over one’s heart. Oaths and affirmations should always be taken seriously by the Notary and

the person being sworn or affirmed.

Below are Examples of Oaths and Affirmations:

Oaths:

Sample 1

_______________

(Name of Individual)

Do you solemnly swear under penalty of perjury that the statements you are about to give will be the

whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?

________________________________________________

(Official Signature of Individual)

District of Columbia

Signed and sworn to ( or affirmed) before me on ____________ by _______________________

Date Name(s) of Individuals(s) making statement

____________________________________________________________

Signature of notarial Officer

Seal

[_______________________________________]

Title of office

[My commission expires: _______________________]

Sample 2

I, ___________________________ solemnly swear under penalty of perjury that the statements

Name of Individual

I am about to give will be the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God.

________________________________________________

Official Signature of Individual

District of Columbia

Signed and sworn to ( or affirmed) before me on ____________ by _______________________

Date Name(s) of Individuals(s) making statement

____________________________________________________________

Signature of notarial Officer

Seal

[_______________________________________]

Title of office

[My commission expires: _______________________]

Oath of Office

I, _____________________________ do solemnly swear/affirm that I will support and defend

Name of Individual

the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; That I will bear true faith

and allegiance to the same; That I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of

evasion; That I will well and faithfully discharge, according to law, the duties of the _______________ in

and for the _____________________ on which I am about to enter, to the best of my ability.

Name of Office

District of Columbia

Signed and sworn to ( or affirmed) before me on ____________ by _______________________

Date Name(s) of Individuals(s) making statement

____________________________________________________________

Signature of notarial Officer

Seal

[_______________________________________]

Title of office

[My commission expires: _______________________]

Affirmations:

Sample 1

_____________________________

Name of Individual

Do you solemnly affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements you are about to give will be the

whole truth and nothing but the truth?

________________________________________________

Official Signature of Individual

District of Columbia

Signed and sworn to ( or affirmed) before me on ____________ by _______________________

Date Name(s) of Individuals(s) making statement

____________________________________________________________

Signature of notarial Officer

Seal

[_______________________________________]

Title of office

[My commission expires: _______________________]

Sample 2

I, ________________________ solemnly affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements I

Name of Individual

am about to give will be the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

________________________________________________

Official Signature of Individual

District of Columbia

Signed and sworn to ( or affirmed) before me on ____________ by _______________________

Date Name(s) of Individuals(s) making statement

____________________________________________________________

Signature of notarial Officer

Seal

[_______________________________________]

Title of office

[My commission expires: _______________________]

Oath of Office

, _____________________________ do solemnly swear/affirm that I will support and defend

Name of Individual

the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; That I will bear true faith

and allegiance to the same; That I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of

evasion; That I will well and faithfully discharge, according to law, the duties of the _______________ in

and for the _____________________ on which I am about to enter, to the best of my ability.

Name of Office

District of Columbia

Signed and sworn to ( or affirmed) before me on ____________ by _______________________

Date Name(s) of Individuals(s) making statement

____________________________________________________________

Signature of notarial Officer

Seal

[_______________________________________]

Title of office

[My commission expires: _______________________]

Identification Requirements:

The individual having the document notarized or to whom you are giving the oath or affirmation must be

physically present before the notary. You must watch the person sign the document; the largest concern

regarding fraud or misuse of a notarization is that the signature on a document is not the valid signature of

the person described in the document. § 1–1231.06

Allowable forms of identification are:

• Personal knowledge of the individual.

• A non-expired government ID such as a driver’s license, passport, or military card.

• Or any other non-expired government ID that has a photo or a signature.

• A verification on oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally

appearing before the officer and known to the officer or whom the officer can identify based on a

current passport, driver’s license, or government-issued nondriver identification card.

• If an individual is physically unable to sign, the individual may direct another person other than

the notary to sign the individual’s name. When this occurs, the notary shall record the notarial act

by inserting into the journal or other record “Signature affixed by (name of other individual) at the

direction of (name of person).” The individual who signed the document must also sign the

journal as it appears on the document. § 1–1231.08

Jurisdiction:

District commissions can be used only within the geographical borders of the District of Columbia. The

person for whom you are performing the notarial act must be in your presence in the District of Columbia.

The individual may live anywhere, but you must both (all) be physically within the boundaries of the

District of Columbia when you perform the notarial act.

The District of Columbia does not recognize licenses or commissions from other jurisdictions; there is no

reciprocity. If you wish to become a notary public in the District of Columbia, you must submit an

application, meet the requirements and follow the process for DC.

Items Eligible for Notarial Acts:

The list below is not all inclusive, but provides some examples of items that are eligible for notarial acts.

Remember as a notary, you are not notarizing the document; you are only validating that the person in

front of you is, in fact, that person.

• Original or copies of diplomas or GEDs from any primary or higher education institution except

from the District of Columbia Public Schools or the University of the District of Columbia. You

may notarize copies or original of diplomas from District of Columbia Public Charter Schools.

This includes any transcripts or documents issues by school, university, college or other

educational institution regardless of where it is located.

• Copies of any passports copies of any driver’s license.

• Annual renewal of 501(c)(3) (non-profit) forms.

• In the District of Columbia, notaries may notarize documents in any language, but the.notary must

have filed a form stating that he/she is able to read and write in the language the notarial act is

being performed.

• Mortgage documents, lending agreements.

• Give an Oath or Affirmation for a deposition.

• Any other documents that have a requirement for notarization (except as noted below) or you

believe meet the basic requirements for notarization.

You MUST record all notarial acts in your journal.

Restrictions:

District notaries may never:

• Notarize most Federal documents such as FBI clearances, fingerprints.

• Determinations of non-profit [501(c)(3)] forms; the original set up for the non-profit.

Notaries may notarize annual renewal forms.

• Take your own oath, affidavit, acknowledgment or depositions.

• Serve as a witness for your own documents.

• Notarize your own signature.

• Notarize a document with a spouse’s signature or to which the notary or spouse has a

direct beneficial interest.

• It is also recommended that a notary not perform a notarial act for any members of the

immediate family as this can be construed as a conflict of interest.

• Notarize an incomplete document or one with blank spaces or if the document is blank.

Note: In this instance it does require the notary to actually peripherally look through the

document, but it is an exception to the basic rule. Incomplete documents or those with

blank spaces (examples: a specific name or amount of money to be filled in) could be used

fraudulently) open the notary to potential fraud.

• Notarize documents issued by Departments or Agencies of the District of Columbia

whether original or copies including birth, death and marriage certificates and divorce

decrees. These are documents that have the signature of the Agency or Department

Director. If the document is, for example, simply an application with the logo, it is

acceptable to notarize. This also includes diplomas issued by the District of Columbia

Public Schools, University of the District of Columbia and the DC State Superintendent of

Education. Note: District of Columbia Charter School documents may be notarized.

Except that documents issued by the District such as re-verification of residency or filing a

complaint where a notarization is required may be notarized and are considered as

government document.

• Perform any notarial act except when they are physically within the boundaries of the

District of Columbia.

• Provide legal advice: A notary public who is not admitted to the District of Columbia bar

may not perform the services of an attorney at law.

• Notaries public may notarize documents such as mortgages or transfer of deeds. If a

notary acts on behalf of a title insurance producer in a capacity that does not require a title

producer license, then the title producer shall execute a written disclosure statement that

acknowledges the role of the notary in the closing transaction and that the notary is acting

on behalf of the title producer. There is no entity known as a “Signing Agent” issued

through the District of Columbia. Some organizations offer their own Signing Agent

certificates, but these are not a part of the DC government. Please refer to the Department

of Insurance, Securities and Banking, (www.disb.dc.gov/ - Producers/Agents Title

Producers); there is a link to a memo providing further details on what a notary may and

may not do.

• Give advice in the administration or probate of estate of decedents.

• I-9 forms, federal employment eligibility forms do not need to be notarized and

should not be notarized but the instructions include: “…may designate someone to

fill out Forms I-9 for you, such as a personnel officer, foreman, agent, or anyone

else acting on your behalf, such as a notary public…” As a notary public you may

not assist. And a number of business then have the notarization page include that

you have examined the document, but of course as a notary you are not allowed to

examine the document and even the instructions include: “…For example, it is not

acceptable for a notary public to view employment authorization and identity

documents..” You do not notarize I-9 forms.

If you are not certain if a document is eligible for notarization, contact the ONCA office:

[email protected], 202 727-3117.

Remember: Every time you perform a notarial act, you must:

• Be in the District of Columbia and the person(s) for whom you are performing the notarial act

must also be in DC.

• Use the appropriate stamp/certificate/short form (such as Jurat or Acknowledgment).

• Prove the identity of the signer.

• Use your sealer and inker.

• Watch the person sign the document.

• Record all the information in your journal or other record including the signature of the individual.

VII. Change of Commission Information

Changing the Name on a Commission:

A notary public whose name changes because of marriage, divorce, or adoption is required to:

• Notify ONCA by completing the form on our website: www.os.dc.gov/Notary &

Authentications/Notary Commissions; there is a link to the form. Include with this form:

The legal document showing the change of name.

The document that provides proof you have notified your surety bond company of

the change in name.

Proof that you have notified your surety bond company of the change in name.

Send us an email at [email protected] with all the information.

• Purchase a new notary seal/sealer and notarial stamp/certificate.

• Come to ONCA to complete an oath page and provide an impression of the new seal with

the name change.

• You will be provided with a new notarial certificate with your new name.

If the change of name occurs at the time of renewal the individual should complete a new application with

the change in name. When filling out the application, the request letter should state the previous name.

The legal document showing the change of name must be provided.

Change of Address/Employer:

If the address for your business, government or residence changes, you must:

• Notify ONCA by completing the form on our website: www.os.dc.gov/Notary

Authentications/Notary Commissions; there is a link to the form. Include with this form:

The document that provides proof you have notified your surety bond company of the change in

address.

If you are changing employers the notary commission may be transferred to a new employer whose

offices are physically located in the District of Columbia if the current employer agrees to allow the

commission to be transferred.

If you are allowed to transfer the commission you must:

Notify ONCA by completing the form on our website: www.os.dc.gov/Notary & Authentications/Notary

Commissions; there is a link to the form. Include with this form:

• A letter of request from your new supervisor stating why the business needs you to perform

notarial services. The letter must be on letterhead with a DC address that matches the DC address

on the form and must include a DC phone number. The letter must have an original or valid

electronic signature.

• The document that provides proof you have notified your surety bond company of the change in

name.

If your employer will not allow you to transfer your commission, you must resign the commission and

send us your seal and journal. If you wish to become a notary either for your new business or as a

residential notary, you must apply for a new commission, submit a new application with an application

fee and letter(s) of request.

If you have been commissioned by the DC or federal government and will no longer be employed at that

agency, you must resign your commission and apply as a new notary.

ONCA will not recognize a document notarized by a notary public whose name or place of business has

changed unless the notary has complied with these requirements.

Please go to our website: www.os.dc.gov, Notary & Authentications, Notary Commissions for the

PDF form for each of these changes.

Expiration of Commission:

Notary commissions expire at the end of the five-year term or upon resignation of the commission.

Notaries who no longer reside in the District or who cease to be employed in a business physically located

in the District must resign their commission by notifying ONCA in writing. Notaries who terminate or

resign their commission for any reason within the five-year period must notify the ONCA office and by

law turn in their journal (records) and seal.

If you are a government employee and no longer work for the government, you must resign your

commission.

Correspondence should be sent to the address listed below:

Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications

441 4th Street, NW

Suite 810 South

Washington, DC 20001

Notification may also be sent by email to:

[email protected]

Please go to our website: www.os.dc.gov, Notary & Authentications, Notary Commissions for the

PDF form to use if you are resigning your commission.

VIII. Additional Information

Reappointments:

While ONCA will make every effort to notify existing notaries prior to their expiration date, to ensure that

there is no lapse in your commission, the notary should contact ONCA at least eight weeks prior to the

expiration of the commission. Every notary public applying for reappointment must submit the renewal

application by the deadline indicated. A timetable for deadlines to submit applications without having a

lapse in the commission may be found on our website: www.os.dc.gov, Notary & Authentications, Notary

Commissions; there is a link to the timetable. Applicants seeking reappointments are not required to

attend orientation unless the commission has been expired for one year or more.

Refusal to Notarize:

A notary may refuse to notarize a document or perform any notarial act for a legitimate reason. If you

don’t believe the identification is valid, the individual is competent to participate in the notarial act or

isn’t there voluntarily, or if you are prohibited by law from doing so, or other legitimate reasons. For

example some businesses only perform notarial acts within the business; some only notarize for their

customers.

Lost or Stolen Notary Seal/Sealer - Journal:

If your notary sealer is lost or stolen you must immediately:

• File a police report.

• Order a new seal/sealer with a distinct marking such as a star (*) or dot to distinguish it

from the original.

• Notify ONCA by completing the form on our website: www.os.dc.gov/Notary &

Authentications/Notary Commissions; there is a link to the form. Include with this form:

• A copy of the police report. If the report is not immediately available, you may scan it

later and email it to us at [email protected]

• Come into our office and provide a new impression and bring in a copy of the police

report.

• If your Journal is lost or stolen you must also immediately report this to our office and

order a new one.

Please go to our website: www.os.dc.gov, Notary & Authentications, Notary Commissions for the

PDF form to use to report the lost or stolen seal and/or journal.

Search for A Notary Public:

As part of our customer service all commissioned notaries, except those who are commissioned only as

government notaries are listed on our website under the “Search for a Notary Public” section. Individuals

may type in an address and locate the names and contact information of notaries located nearest to that

address.

Except those who are commissioned only as government notaries are listed on our website under the

“Search for a Notary Public” section. Individuals may type in an address and locate the names and

contact information of notaries located nearest to that address.

The website lists the name of the notary, address, phone number and email. It will also state that the

individual should call or email the notary in advance because the notary is not required to notarize

documents simply because the name appears on the list.

You do not have to be listed on this map and the new online application has a check-off that allows you to

determine if you wish to be on the map.

Notaries commissioned on behalf of the DC or federal government only will not be listed on this

map.

Notaries with dual commissions will be listed with their residential information.

If you wish to be listed on the map or decide you want to be taken off the map after you have been

commissioned please email us at [email protected] with your name as it appears on your commission, the

address at which you are commissioned, your phone number, email address and the expiration date of

your commission.

IX. Denial or Revocation of Notary Commission

An application may be temporarily denied if the application is not sufficient. In this case the application

will be returned to the individual to correct the errors and return it to the ONCA office.

An application may be denied or a commission revoked or suspended if the individual lacks the honesty,

integrity, competence or reliability to act as a notary public including: § 1–1231.22

• A fraudulent, dishonest, or deceitful misstatement or omission in the application for a commission

as a notary public submitted to the Mayor.

• A conviction of an applicant or notary public of any felony or a crime involving fraud, dishonesty,

or deceit, including fraud, forgery, deceptive labeling, counterfeiting, false personation, perjury,

false statements, tampering with physical evidence, or theft previously known as larceny, larceny

by trick, larceny by trust, embezzlement, or false pretenses.

• A finding against, or admission of liability by, an applicant or notary public in any legal

proceeding or disciplinary action based on an applicant's or notary public's fraud, dishonesty, or

deceit.

• Failure by the notary public to discharge any duty required of a notary public, whether by this act,

rules of the Mayor, or any federal or state law.

• Use of false or misleading advertising or representation by the notary public representing that the

notary has a duty, right, or privilege that the notary does not have.

• Violation by the notary public of a rule issued by the Mayor regarding a notary public;

• A complaint filed against a notary and upon determination that the complaint is valid the

commission may be revoked.

If your commission is revoked, by law you must send us your seal/sealer and journal.

The individual may request a review of the revocation by filing a petition for review with the Office of

Administrative Hearing within twenty days after notice to deny or revoke the commission.

For complete listings of the laws and regulations relating to Notaries Public, please please see Title 1,

Chapter 12A. You may also visit our website at os.dc.gov or contact us at 202 727-3117, [email protected]