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Free Washington Notary Acknowledgment Template

A Washington notary acknowledgment is the certificate a notary completes after you declare that you signed a record for its stated purpose. Fill in the short-form wording with our step-by-step questionnaire first.

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What Is a Notary Acknowledgment in Washington?

A Washington notary acknowledgment is a certificate of a notarial act in which you acknowledge signing a record before a notary. The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, chapter 42.45 RCW, governs it, along with the Department of Licensing’s rules in chapter 308-30 WAC.

Washington Requirements for a Notary Acknowledgment

The Washington State Department of Licensing commissions notaries for terms of up to four years, tied to the notary’s surety bond.

Notary Stamp

Under WAC 308-30-070, the stamp includes “notary public,” “state of Washington,” the notary’s name as commissioned, and the commission expiration date and number. Also, the type must be at least 8 point, and the stamp can’t contain the Washington state seal. On paper, the notary applies it in permanent ink that can be photocopied.

Journal

In addition, every notary records each notarial act in a journal at the time of notarization. A paper journal is a bound book with numbered pages, and entries include how the notary identified you and your signature. The notary keeps it for ten years after the last entry.

Fees

A notary may charge up to $15 for taking an acknowledgment, or up to $25 for a remote notarial act (WAC 308-30-220). The notary may also add a travel fee if you agree in advance. Because fees can change, confirm the amount first.

Signature

The notary signs using the exact name on their certificate of commission and their stamp (WAC 308-30-100).

Can You Use the Washington Short Form for Every Document?

Usually, but not always. WAC 308-30-240 describes the forms in RCW 42.45.140 as examples of certificates with sufficient information.

However, the same rule adds an important exception. When another Washington statute requires a specific form, the notary must use that form instead.

Keep in mind that a nonattorney notary can’t help you select or complete the right certificate. So if your document comes with its own acknowledgment wording, check whether it’s required by law before replacing it.

Tip

Check the county on the certificate. In Washington, the venue means the state and county where the notary is physically located while acting. Also, the notary must be inside Washington’s borders to perform it.

How to Sign a Washington Notary Acknowledgment

Here’s the usual sequence.

  1. Choose the individual or representative short form, or use a form another statute requires.
  2. Complete “State of Washington,” the notary’s county, the date, and all signer names.
  3. Bring acceptable identification.
  4. Declare to the notary that you signed the record.
  5. Sign in the notary’s journal.
  6. The notary signs with their commissioned name and applies the stamp.

What to Include in a Washington Notary Acknowledgment

RCW 42.45.140 provides the short form. First come “State of” and “County of” lines. Then the individual version uses one sentence: “This record was acknowledged before me on (date) by (name(s) of individuals).”

A complete Washington notary acknowledgment includes:

  • The venue, naming Washington and the county where the notary is
  • That sentence, completed with the date and signer names
  • The notary’s signature, using their commissioned name
  • Their official stamp
  • The title of office and commission expiration date

For a remote act, WAC 308-30-320 adds “by means of communication technology” to the acknowledgment sentence. Create your Washington notary acknowledgment with Document Genius so the short form is ready.