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Please read this first We work to keep state commissioning information current, but requirements, fees, and forms can change faster than we can update this page. Confirm every step with the West Virginia Secretary of State, Notary Division using the official links below before you apply. This article is a checklist, not legal advice. |
Overview
West Virginia commissions notaries public for five years through the Secretary of State. The $1,000 bond requirement was eliminated in 2018. Remote online notarization is a later electronic authorization: you must already be an active notary, have electronic-notarization capability, file Form N-2 (no filing fee unless you choose expedited service), and wait for the Secretary of State’s letter of authorization.
Use this page as a checklist of where to go and what to complete. Follow the Secretary of State’s current instructions if anything here differs from the official site. In-person electronic notarization (IPEN) is not the same as RON.
For a U.S. overview of remote online notary authorization, see the National Notary Association’s How to Become a Remote Online Notary. Follow the West Virginia Secretary of State, Notary Division’s instructions if anything differs.
Who Can Apply
To be commissioned as a West Virginia notary public, you must meet all of the following:
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Start Here: Commission, Then Electronic / RON Authorization
File the five-year commission first. Then select technology that meets 153 CSR 45, file Form N-2 selecting RON if you will work remotely, and wait for the authorization letter.
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Read the official notary and e-Notary pages Open Applying for a Notary Public Commission, e-Notarization (Electronic Notarization), and West Virginia Notary Handbook. |
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Apply for the traditional commission File online through the Enterprise Registration & Licensing System. The filing fee is $52. |
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If you already hold an active West Virginia commission, file Form N-2 before the first electronic or remote act Use Form N-2 (Electronic Signature Verification Authorization) or the online system. You are not authorized until you receive the letter of authorization. |
Part 1: Traditional West Virginia Notary Commission
Skip this section if you already hold an unexpired West Virginia notary public commission. You cannot file Form N-2 until you are an active notary.
Checklist
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Review the official how-to Read W. Va. Code § 39-4, Applying for a Notary Public Commission, and West Virginia Notary Handbook. You will swear that you have read and will follow the law. |
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Complete traditional notary education Not listed as a required SOS pre-commission course or exam. You must read the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts. |
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Obtain a surety bond Not applicable. The bond requirement was eliminated in 2018. |
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Submit the traditional application File online. The fee is $52. State or local government notaries may have the fee waived with a supervisor letter; federal employees are not eligible for that waiver. |
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Order a seal from the commission letter Wait for the commission letter and match the seal to that letter. The commission certificate is valid for five years. Review the handbook before the first act. |
Part 2: Online (RON) Commission
Form N-2 covers e-Notary (in-person electronic), Remote Online Notarization, and Remote Ink Notarization. Select RON if you will meet the signer by audio-video. The SOS courtesy vendor list is not an endorsement. Do not perform RON until the authorization letter arrives.
Have these ready
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Checklist
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Read the official online-notary instructions e-Notarization (Electronic Notarization), West Virginia Notary Handbook, W. Va. Code §§ 39-4-6a, 39-4-19, 39-4-37, and 39-4-38, and Form N-2 (Electronic Signature Verification Authorization). |
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Complete online notary education Not listed as a required SOS RON course. You must already have electronic-notarization capability before you file Form N-2. Complete any training your vendor requires. |
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Start the authorization application File Form N-2 through the Enterprise Registration & Licensing System (or as the current form instructs). Select Remote Online Notarization if you will work remotely. Name the platform. |
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Sign with a digital certificate Complete certificate and platform setup with the vendor named on Form N-2 before you file. The SOS filing has no fee unless you choose expedited service. |
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Upload your electronic seal Not applicable as a separate SOS seal-upload portal beyond Form N-2. Configure the registered electronic seal with your vendor. |
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Pay and submit There is no fee to register as an e-Notary unless you choose expedited service. Wait for the authorization letter. Report a vendor change within 10 days; if the vendor agreement ends, file a new Form N-2 before you continue electronic acts. |
After You Are Commissioned
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Do not perform a remote online notarization until the Secretary of State has issued the letter of authorization. Resigning electronic registration does not automatically end the traditional commission.
Fees Listed by the Secretary of State
The $52 commission fee is from Applying for a Notary Public Commission. Form N-2 has no filing fee unless you choose expedited service. Confirm amounts on the current forms before you pay. Platform fees are extra.
| Item | Listed amount |
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| Traditional notary education | Not listed as a required SOS course or exam |
| Electronic / RON education | Not listed as a required SOS course |
| Traditional application | $52 |
| E-Notarization / RON authorization (Form N-2) | No filing fee (expedited service extra if you choose it) |
| Surety bond | Not required (eliminated 2018) |
Official West Virginia Links
| Resource | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Applying for a commission | sos.wv.gov/licensing/notary-public/applying-notary-public-commission |
| e-Notarization | sos.wv.gov/licensing/notary-public/e-notarization-electronic-notarization |
| Notary Handbook | sos.wv.gov/sites/default/files/2026-04/Notary-Handbook.pdf |
| Notary Division | (304) 558-8000 or (866) 767-8683 |
Common Questions
Q: Can I apply for RON authorization first?
A: No. You must already be an active West Virginia notary with electronic-notarization capability before you file Form N-2.
Q: Does West Virginia approve a list of RON platforms?
A: The SOS publishes a courtesy vendor list on e-Notarization (Electronic Notarization). It is not exhaustive and is not an endorsement. You are responsible for choosing technology that meets 153 CSR 45.
Q: Where can I confirm a fee or form changed?
A: Use Applying for a Notary Public Commission, e-Notarization (Electronic Notarization), and Form N-2 (Electronic Signature Verification Authorization).
Last Updated: August 26, 2026 | Author: Customer Success Team | Version: v1.0
