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Washington notary journal requirements

Washington requires a journal of all notarial acts, kept 10 years. Licensed attorneys are exempt. US Notary Journal is an electronic notary journal that asks for exactly what Washington expects in each entry.

Journal required?

Required for every act

Electronic journal allowed?

State guidance on electronic journals is not settled. Check with your commissioning office before using one as your only journal.

How long to keep it

10 years

Thumbprint

Optional

Source

RCW 42.45.180

What a Washington journal entry must include

• Date and time of the act
• Type of notarial act
• Document type or description
• Signer name
• Signer address
• How identity was proven (ID type)
• ID issue and expiration dates
• Fee charged
• Signer signature

Good to know

• Check Department of Licensing rules on tangible versus electronic journals.

An electronic notary journal for Washington

Choose Washington as your commission state and US Notary Journal sets up the entry form above, warns you about the Washington fee cap where one applies, and locks each finished entry so it cannot be altered. Use it on your phone at the signing and on your computer at the office.

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Last checked 2026-10-25. General information, not legal advice.