Notary Public in District of Columbia
Browse 4 cities in District of Columbia to find a notary public near you.
Notaries in Washington D.C. are appointed by the Mayor and serve a 5-year commission. D.C.'s dense concentration of law firms, government contractors, lobbying organizations, and international embassies creates extremely high demand for notary services — including document authentication for international use — making it one of the most active notary markets in the country. The fee is capped at $5 per signature. As in California, D.C. has enacted a remote online notarization law that is not yet in active use — confirm current availability before assuming a video-call notarization is possible here. D.C. requires only a modest $2,000 bond, with no training course or exam mandated.
Is this notary really commissioned?
Anyone can claim to be a notary. Before you rely on one for an important document, it costs nothing to check that their commission is real, active, and hasn't expired.
District of Columbia notaries are commissioned by the DC Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (Mayor), which provides a free public commission lookup.
Verify a District of Columbianotary's commission →What you can legally be charged
As of July 2026, District of Columbia law caps the fee a notary can charge for a standard notarial act at $5 per signature (acknowledgment or jurat). A notary who charges more than the legal maximum for a standard act is breaking the law — you're entitled to ask what they charge before they begin.
What to expect
- Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID — the notary can't proceed without one.
- Your notary is required to record the transaction in a journal — expect to sign it and provide some basic details.
- Every document is marked with the notary's official stamp or seal, confirming the notarization is complete.
For aspiring notaries
Becoming a notary in District of Columbia
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Commission term | 5 years |
| Surety bond | $2,000 bond required |
| Training course | Not required |
| State exam | Not required |
Total cost to become a notary in District of Columbia typically runs $229–$260, covering the application, bond, and supplies.
Full guide to becoming a notary →Sourced from the National Notary Association, verified July 2026. Confirm current requirements with the DC Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (Mayor).