INSTRUCTONS FOR FILING THE
APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT AS A NOTARY PUBLIC
*** IMPORTANT *** You must READ AND UNDERSTAND THE NOTARY LAWS
as set forth in
§39-4
of the West
Virginia Code.
Also,
read the NOTARY HANDBOOK BEFORE applying to become a notary public in West Virginia.
Failure to provide a proper notary acknowledgement on documents is a violation of the notary code and you may have your
notary commission conditioned, suspended, or revoked. CAREFULLY FOLLOW THE STEPS OUTLINED BELOW.
I. Complete both sections of this application. If you omit any part or do not sign the application, the form will be returned to you as
incomplete.
II.
Send the completed application and Customer Order Request form (include e-Payment Authorization if paying by credit card) to:
III. YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO ACT AS A NOTARY UNTIL ALL STEPS ARE COMPLETED AND YOU HAVE
RECEIVED A CERTIFICATE OF APPOINTMENT
. If your application is approved, you will receive a letter containing further
instructions. When you receive the letter, read it carefully and immediately follow the instructions as outlined in the letter. If you have
questions or need further assistance, please call the Notary division at
(304) 558-8000 or toll free at (866) 767-8683.
Section 1: APPLICANT'S INFORMATION
(
Please type or print in ink.
)
a. Print your exact name
as you will enter it when performing a notarial act. You do not need to include your middle name or middle
initial unless that is how you want it to appear on your notary stamp.
i.
If you have ever been a WV Notary, enter the expiration date of your last notary commission in the space provided.
ii.
If you have ever been commissioned under a different name, please enter it in the space provided.
b. Indicate your gender ("Male" or "Female") by checking the appropriate box.
c. Enter the mailing address in West Virginia
you will use on your notary seal.
• If this is a
business address
, include the company name in the address.
•
Government notaries
-- use government agency name in the address. State and local government employees may be
commissioned as government notaries to act for and in behalf of their respective state and local government office.
A
government notary may not operate privately.
Specific information relating to government notaries may be found in West
Virginia Code
§39-4-31
.
d. Enter a valid e-mail address (required) where business correspondence may be received. Example: yourname@domain.com
e. Enter your phone number with area code
for both daytime and evening where you may be reached.
f.
Answer “
YES”
or “
NO” to questions 1 through 8 by checking the appropriate box next to each question.
Section 2: APPLICANT'S AFFIRMATION
#7. E-Notartization - Definition of “electronic” notarial acts per West Virginia Code §39-4-2(2): "'Electronic' means relating to
technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic or similar capabilities."
The applicant must sign the affirmation in the space provided exactly as the applicant entered her/his name in the
“APPLICANT'S INFORMATION” section.
SUBMIT COMPLETED APPLICATION WITH PAYMENT
* * * * NOTICE * * * *
Once your application has been approved, you will receive your Secretary of State commission letter. The letter will
provide the exact information you need on your notary seal. Check to ensure your Name and Address Information are
correct as they appear on your Official Seal. If any corrections are needed please contact the Notary Division at (304)
558-8000. You must have your stamp made with the information provided in the commission letter.
1. Follow the FILING SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS attached to this application to submit the above items for processing.
2. Complete the attached CUSTOMER ORDER REQUEST form. Choose standard processing or expedite service.
3. Include the $52.00 filing fee (plus the expedite filing fee if choosing expedite service).