Becoming a Notary in District of Columbia (2026): The Oral Exam, Bond & Cost

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. District of Columbia notary rules are set in the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (D.C. Official Code Title 1, Chapter 12A) and administered by the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications, and can change, so confirm the details with ONCA before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

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What does it cost to become a notary in the District of Columbia?

Becoming a DC notary usually costs $110 to $170. The fixed charge is the $75 application fee, and the $2,000 bond runs about $30 to $60 for the five-year term. DC also requires more supplies than most places: an embosser, a seal impression inker, a journal, and a Notary Public sign. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in the District of Columbia?

You become a DC notary by applying online through ONCA, then bonding and taking an oath. The steps, in order, are:

1. Choose your commission type and apply. Submit the DC Notary Application to the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications, selecting residential, business, government, dual, or another type.
2. Pass the oral exam. Take the oral examination on a notary's powers, duties, and liabilities; renewing notaries skip it unless their commission has been expired over a year.
3. Get your appointment notice and bond. After approval, ONCA sends a Provisional Commission Notice; buy the $2,000 bond using the form it supplies.
4. Pay the $75 fee and take the oath. Bring your completed bond, payment receipt, and supplies to ONCA to swear the oath of office and claim your commission certificate.
5. Get your seal and supplies. Obtain an embosser with a seal impression inker, a journal, and a Notary Public sign before performing any acts.

Is there an exam to become a DC notary?

Yes, the District of Columbia requires an oral examination that shows you understand the powers, duties, and liabilities of a notary, which sets it apart from most states that use no exam or an open-book test. ONCA administers it as part of the commissioning process, and there is no separate practice test to link to. Renewing notaries do not retake the exam unless their commission has been expired for more than one year. After approval, the Mayor's office may also schedule a short orientation before you are sworn in.

What are the seven DC notary commission types?

The District of Columbia offers seven commission types, more than any state, and the one you choose changes the fee, bond, and where you can notarize. A residential commission is for DC residents serving their community, while a business commission is for people whose primary workplace is in DC. DC Government and Federal Government commissions are tied to your agency, carry no application fee, and limit you to your employer's work; a DC government notary needs no bond. Dual commissions combine residential with business or government roles. Pick the type that matches how you will actually notarize.

What supplies does a DC notary need?

The District of Columbia requires more equipment than most jurisdictions, and skipping one item can hold up your commission. You need an embossing seal, but because a raised impression does not photocopy, DC also requires a seal impression inker so the embossment reproduces. On top of that you must keep a bound journal of every notarial act, paper and electronic, and display a Notary Public sign unless you are a government notary. Your seal shows your name, "Notary Public, District of Columbia," and the commission expiration date in a circular border.

What are the requirements to become a DC notary?

The DC requirements pair the oral exam with a bond and residency or employment in the District. You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, of good character with no disqualifying conviction, and either live in DC or keep your primary place of business or employment there, depending on the commission type. A $2,000 surety bond covers the five-year term for business, residential, and federal government notaries, while DC government notaries are exempt. You must claim your commission within sixty days of the appointment notice or it is canceled.

How do you renew or notarize online in the District of Columbia?

You renew by filing a new online application 90 to 30 days before expiration, which keeps your commission dates concurrent, and you skip the oral exam unless you have lapsed more than a year. The District authorizes both in-person electronic notarization and remote online notarization: after commissioning, notify ONCA, complete training with a recognized vendor, select an approved platform, and submit proof of your digital seal and electronic signature. You must be physically in DC while performing a remote act.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: District of Columbia Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (os.dc.gov); the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, D.C. Official Code Title 1, Chapter 12A, and 17 DCMR 2404. Confirm current fees and steps with ONCA before applying.