Your Notary Questions, Answered

A notary public is a state-commissioned official authorized to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. The notary verifies the identity of each signer, confirms they are signing voluntarily and understand what they are signing, and applies their official seal and signature to the document. In Washington state, notaries are commissioned by the Department of Licensing for four-year terms.

Common documents that require notarization include real estate deeds and titles, powers of attorney, wills and trusts, affidavits and sworn statements, loan and mortgage documents, advance healthcare directives, business contracts and partnership agreements, vehicle title transfers, and documents being sent internationally that need an apostille. If you are unsure whether your document needs notarization, check with the receiving party or contact us for guidance.

Washington state requires a current, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Accepted forms include a Washington state driver's license or ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card, or a U.S. military ID. Expired identification cannot be accepted. If you do not have any of these, Washington law allows a credible identifying witness who personally knows you and can present their own valid ID to vouch for your identity.

The standard notarization fee in Washington state is $15 per signature. This is the maximum fee set by state law. For mobile notary services, a travel fee is added based on your location. Travel is $50 for Gig Harbor, $75 for Port Orchard, $85 for Tacoma, and $95 for Bremerton. Remote online notarization is $25 per signature with no travel fee. Visit our pricing page for complete details.

In certain circumstances, yes. Washington state allows signature by mark (such as an X) for individuals who cannot write their name, done in the presence of a witness. A person may also direct another individual to sign on their behalf if they are physically unable to sign. Power of attorney documents can authorize someone to sign specific documents on your behalf. We can guide you through these accommodations when you schedule your appointment.

An apostille is a certificate issued by the Washington Secretary of State that authenticates the origin of a document for use in another country. Under the Hague Apostille Convention (which the U.S. joined in 1981), an apostille replaces the lengthy chain of authentication that was previously required for international documents. If you are using a U.S. document in any of the 124 Hague Convention member countries, an apostille is what makes that document legally recognized.

Documents commonly apostilled include birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, court orders and judgments, corporate documents (articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing), powers of attorney, academic transcripts and diplomas, and notarized documents. The document must originate from Washington state or bear a Washington notary seal to be apostilled by the Washington Secretary of State.

Processing times depend on the service level you choose. Standard processing takes 5-7 business days and costs $150. Rush processing takes 2-3 business days at $250. Same-day service is available for $450 — we hand-deliver your documents to the Secretary of State's office in Olympia and return them to you the same day. All timelines begin after we receive your documents.

An apostille is used for documents going to countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Authentication (also called legalization) is required for documents going to non-Hague countries. Authentication involves additional steps, typically including certification by the U.S. Department of State and then the embassy or consulate of the destination country. We can help you determine which process your documents require.

It depends on the document. Some documents, like certified copies of vital records (birth, marriage, death certificates), can be apostilled directly without notarization. Other documents, like personal affidavits, powers of attorney, or business documents, typically need to be notarized first, and then the notarized document receives the apostille. We handle both the notarization and apostille process as a complete package.