Notary Public
West Virginia
Notary Public Commission Requirements
5 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
Application Process
VerifiedRead WV Code section 39-4 (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts).
Complete online application via the Enterprise Registration & Licensing System (erls.wvsos.gov).
Provide a sworn statement under penalty of perjury affirming all application answers are true and you have read WV notary laws.
Pay the $52 filing fee.
Receive commission letter and verify accuracy.
Order a rubber stamp seal matching the specifications in the commission letter.
Receive commission certificate and handbook.
Begin notarizing after receiving the commission certificate.
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a resident of West Virginia, or a resident of another state who works at an office address within West Virginia.
Citizenship
U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
Background Check
Not required
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Not RequiredNo formal education course or exam required. Applicants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED). Must affirm on application that they have read the WV notary laws. Must be able to read and write English.
Exam
Not RequiredNo exam required for West Virginia notary commission.
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Not RequiredSurety bond requirement was eliminated as of June 3, 2018. Previously required $1,000 bond.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredE&O insurance is optional; personal choice for liability coverage.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredRectangular rubber stamp required (maximum 1 inch by 2.5 inches). Must include: 'Official Seal', 'Notary Public', 'State of West Virginia', commissioned name, address, and commission expiration date. Specifications are provided in the commission letter.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $52 |
Bond Premium No bond required (eliminated June 3, 2018) | N/A |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors after receiving commission letter with specifications | $20-$40 |
Total Estimated Cost Application ($52) + stamp ($20-$40). No bond or education costs. | $72-$92 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
5 years
Renewal Process
Complete online recommission application via the Enterprise Registration & Licensing System and pay the $52 filing fee.
Renewal Fee
$52
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
E-Notarization is legal and available in West Virginia. Notary must register with the Secretary of State and use approved platforms while physically located in West Virginia.
Additional Requirements
Separate E-Notarization Authorization application required with no additional filing fee. Subject to WV Code section 39-4-19.
Important Notes
What Makes West Virginia Unique
West Virginia is one of the few states that eliminated its surety bond requirement (as of 2018), significantly simplifying the commissioning process. It also uniquely requires a high school diploma or GED for notary eligibility, though no notary-specific education or exam is needed.
West Virginia eliminated its surety bond requirement as of June 3, 2018, making it one of the simpler states for notary commissioning.
Requires a high school diploma or GED, which is a unique education requirement among states (though not a notary-specific education course).
No exam is required.
E-Notarization Authorization has no additional filing fee.
The application fee of $52 is higher than many states.
Maximum notarization fee is $5.00 per signature.
A journal is not legally required but is strongly recommended.
Statewide authority.