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Notary Fees and Remote Notarization in Washington

In Washington a notary may charge up to $15 for taking an acknowledgment and up to $25 for a remote notarial act, and remote notarization has been authorized since October 1, 2020.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Washington at a glance

Maximum fee per acknowledgment
$15 per acknowledgment
Up to $25 for a remote notarial act. Fee schedule in WAC 308-30-220, effective June 22, 2024.
Remote online notarization
Yes
Remote notarial acts require an electronic records notary public endorsement.
RON law and effective date
RCW 42.45.280, effective October 1, 2020
Laws 2019, ch. 154. An amended version (Laws 2026, ch. 21) takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Washington

What is the maximum notary fee for an acknowledgment in Washington?

Maximum fee per acknowledgment in Washington: $15 per acknowledgment. Up to $25 for a remote notarial act. Fee schedule in WAC 308-30-220, effective June 22, 2024.

Is remote online notarization allowed in Washington?

Yes. Remote online notarization in Washington: yes. Remote notarial acts require an electronic records notary public endorsement.

Which law authorizes remote online notarization in Washington, and when did it take effect?

RON law and effective date in Washington: RCW 42.45.280, effective October 1, 2020. Laws 2019, ch. 154. An amended version (Laws 2026, ch. 21) takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Where do the Washington notary requirements come from?

The rules above come from WAC 308-30-220, RCW 42.45.280 and RCW 42.45.040. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

A statutory fee limit is a ceiling on the notarial act itself. Travel fees, convenience charges, and technology fees for online sessions may be governed by separate rules or not regulated at all, so it helps to ask for the full price before the appointment.

Bring a current government-issued photo ID and leave the document unsigned until the notary is watching, unless the notary says otherwise. A notary generally cannot notarize a document in which they have a personal interest and cannot give legal advice about what the document means.

A document notarized remotely is usually accepted like one notarized in person, but the receiving party, such as a county recorder, title company, or foreign authority, may have its own requirements. Checking with the recipient before choosing an online session can avoid a rejected filing.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.