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What to Bring When Getting a Document Notarized in Washington State
Valid Photo ID - Required by Washington State Law
Under Washington State law (RCW 42.45.050), a notary must verify the identity of every signer before notarizing a document. The most common way to satisfy this requirement is by presenting a government-issued photo ID.
Your ID must:
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Be issued by a federal or state government
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Contain your photograph, signature, and physical description
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Be current, or expired for no more than 3 years
Acceptable forms of ID include:
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U.S. passport or foreign passport
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U.S. driver's license or state-issued ID card
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Washington State Enhanced Driver's License (EDL)
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Military ID
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Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
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Any other government-issued document containing your photo, signature, and physical description
Important: The name on your ID must match the name printed on the document you are having notarized.
Your Document - Completed but Unsigned
Bring the document you need notarized with all fields filled in. Do not sign it in advance. Washington State law requires that all signers sign the document in the physical presence of the notary — this is called "personal appearance" and is required by law.
Before you arrive:
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Fill in all blank fields in the document body
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Leave the signature line(s) blank — you will sign in front of the notary
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Make sure the document is complete — notaries cannot notarize documents with unfilled blanks in the body
All Signers Must Be Present
Every person whose signature needs to be notarized must appear in person. Washington State law does not permit notarization of signatures from individuals who are not physically present — remote or phone-based identification is not allowed for in-person notarizations.
If a document requires multiple signatures, all signers must be present at the same time, each with their own valid ID.