Oregon Notary Requirements and E&O Insurance

Is a notary bond required in Oregon?

Oregon does not require notaries public to obtain or file a surety bond. Oregon’s notary framework is the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, codified in ORS Chapter 194, which relies on mandatory education, an examination, and Secretary of State oversight rather than a bond. There is therefore no bond amount to buy and no bond to file or record.

Rather than a bond, Oregon requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge of the law. A mandatory “Basics” training course covering the laws, rules, procedures, and ethics relevant to notarial acts must be completed, and applicants must pass the notary exam. After the Secretary of State approves the application, the notary receives a commission and a Certificate of Authorization to obtain a stamp.

Because there is no bond protecting the public, the state emphasizes training, the notarial journal, and proper certificates to promote accurate, fraud-resistant notarizations.

How to become a notary in Oregon

1. Complete the mandatory “Basics” notary training course through an approved option offered via the Secretary of State.
2. Pass the notary examination and obtain your exam certificate.
3. Submit the commission application with your education number, exam certificate ID, and required information.
4. Mail the oath of office with a check or money order for the $40 processing fee (payment must accompany the oath, not be sent separately).
5. After approval, obtain your notary stamp using the Certificate of Authorization provided by the Secretary of State, and begin performing notarial acts.

Bond vs. E&O insurance in Oregon

Because Oregon requires no bond, errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is the only optional protection relevant to Oregon notaries. The products differ in whom they protect. A surety bond, used in other states, pays a member of the public harmed by the notary and is then recovered from the notary. E&O insurance protects the notary, covering defense costs and covered losses from good-faith mistakes. In Oregon, E&O is entirely voluntary and is a personal business decision.

Renewing your Oregon commission

An Oregon commission runs for four years. Reapplication requires completing the mandatory “Basics” training course again, along with the exam and the $40 filing fee — the Secretary of State applies the same training and testing steps to both new and reapplying notaries. There is no bond to renew because Oregon does not require one. Notaries should reapply before their commission expires to avoid a lapse in authority.

Remote online notarization in Oregon

Oregon authorizes remote and electronic notarization. A notary must hold a current commission and follow the Secretary of State’s process to be authorized for remote notarization, using approved communication technology and identity-verification methods. Consult the Secretary of State’s remote online notarization resources for the current registration steps and technology standards before offering remote services.