How to Become a Notary in Oregon (2026): Training, Exam & Cost

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Oregon notary rules are set in ORS Chapter 194 and can change, so confirm the details with the Oregon Secretary of State 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 Oregon?

Becoming an Oregon notary usually costs $55 to $90, kept low because the training is free and no bond is required. The only fixed state charge is the $40 application fee. The rest is your stamp, the mandatory journal, and a small cost to have your oath notarized. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Oregon?

You become an Oregon notary by training, passing the exam, then applying and swearing an oath. The steps, in order, are:

1. Complete the training course. Take the free Secretary of State "Notary Basics" course, or a paid certified provider, within the last six months and keep your training number.
2. Pass the state exam. Take the open-book exam online; details and practice are on our Oregon notary exam page.
3. Apply online with the $40 fee. Choose "Take the Exam and Apply," enter your training and exam information, and consent to the automatic background check.
4. Sign and return the oath within 30 days. The Secretary of State emails an Oath of Office; sign it before a current notary and mail it back within 30 days, or the application is voided.
5. Get your stamp and journal. Once your commission is finalized, buy a compliant inked stamp and a bound journal before you notarize.

Do you have to take training to become an Oregon notary?

Yes, as of January 1, 2025 all Oregon applicants must complete a notary training course within the six months before applying, so guides that call training optional are out of date. The Secretary of State offers the "Notary Basics" course at no charge as a three-hour in-person class, a webinar, or a self-paced option, and certified private providers offer it for a fee. Notaries who renew on time, by passing the exam and applying before their commission expires, are the exception and may skip the training.

Do you have to pass an exam in Oregon?

Yes, every Oregon applicant must pass the Secretary of State's notary exam, which is a 20-question open-book test where you may miss no more than four questions. It is taken online and draws on the training course and the Oregon Notary Public Guide, and you can retake it if you do not pass the first time. Because it is open book but still has a firm passing bar, it pays to prepare with our Oregon notary practice test before your attempt.

What are the requirements to become an Oregon notary?

The Oregon requirements pair education and testing with strict recordkeeping, but no bond. You must be at least 18, able to read and write English, and either an Oregon resident or someone who works in the state, with no felony or crime of fraud or dishonesty in the past ten years. You complete training, pass the exam, and use an inked stamp, and Oregon requires you to keep a bound journal of every notarial act that you cannot share and must retain for ten years after your last entry.

How do you renew or notarize online in Oregon?

You reapply rather than truly renew, up to 30 days before your four-year commission expires, by passing the exam again and paying the $40 fee; training is waived if you apply on time. Oregon also authorizes remote online notarization, which requires separate training and an exam on remote rules, registration with the Secretary of State, and a digital certificate with an electronic seal. Your traditional stamp and journal stay in use alongside the remote tools.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division, Notary Public program and Notary Public Guide; Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 194. Confirm current fees and steps with the Oregon Secretary of State before applying.