The Enhanced West Virginia Notary Handbook
West Virginia notary law in plain English — your Secretary of State commission and 5-year term, the NO-bond rule (eliminated 6/3/2018), the required rectangular stamp (max 1″ × 2.5″ with border), the $10 per-signature cap, and Remote Online Notarization via E-Notarization Authorization — plus every RULONA short-form certificate and the tools to get paid. Fillable PDF, instant download.
Everything the State Doesn’t Spell Out
The law made simple, the forms you’ll actually use, and the business side handled — all in one download.
West Virginia Notary Law in Plain English
Your SOS commission and 5-year term, NO bond, your stamp, fees, copies, RON, and the rules you can’t break.
Every RULONA Short Form
West Virginia’s acknowledgment, representative acknowledgment, jurat, signature witnessing, and copy certification.
The Stamp Rule, Solved
WV stamps must be RECTANGULAR — max 1 inch high by 2.5 inches wide — with a border. We make compliance easy.
Printable Notary Invoice
Bill within WV’s $10 per-signature cap ($10/page for facsimile copy certs) plus travel by agreement.
Journal Pages
Recommended for paper acts (not required); RON requires electronic journal + AV.
30-Day Marketing Quick-Start
A commission doesn’t pay you — clients do. A week-by-week plan plus a glossary.
Enhanced West Virginia Notary Handbook
- West Virginia notary law in plain English (WV Code Ch. 39, Art. 4)
- Acknowledgment, representative acknowledgment & jurat
- Signature witnessing & copy certification done the WV way
- Printable invoice ($10/signature + travel)
- Binder-ready notary journal pages
- 30-day marketing quick-start & glossary of terms
About the Enhanced West Virginia Notary Handbook
West Virginia’s notary law is the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), codified at WV Code Chapter 39, Article 4. The commission term is 5 YEARS through the Secretary of State; the application fee is $52, and NO BOND is required (eliminated effective June 3, 2018). The stamp must be a rectangular inked rubber stamp, no larger than 1 inch by 2.5 inches, with a border. A journal is not required for traditional acts (strongly recommended); RON requires a separate E-Notarization Authorization form (no extra fee).
Built on the Law — Not a Private Handbook
The explanations are written in our own words; the certificate forms are the short forms in WV Code Chapter 39, Article 4. You’ll learn what trips new WV notaries up: the 5-year term, the $52 application fee, the NO-bond rule (eliminated 6/3/2018), the required rectangular inked stamp (max 1″ × 2.5″ with a border), the $10 per-signature cap ($10/8.5×11 page for facsimile copy certs), and the RON path via a separate E-Notarization Authorization form (no additional fee). It’s the reference you’ll keep open on your desk.
📝 Fillable & printable
Open it in the free Adobe Reader and type into the fields, or print the forms blank and complete them by hand. Works on PC, Mac, phone, or tablet — and it’s yours to reuse for your entire commission.
Who it’s for
Brand-new West Virginia notaries who want the law in plain English, mobile notaries leveling up, and loan signing agents who want the legal reference and the business forms together in one place.
How to use it
Read Part 1 to understand your duties fast, keep Part 2 handy as your certificate reference, print the Part 3 toolkit and journal pages for real jobs, and work the Part 4 marketing plan to start booking clients. Update and reprint anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What notaries ask before downloading.
Is this the official West Virginia notary handbook?
No. This is an independently produced, enhanced study and reference guide. It is not the official West Virginia Notary Public Manual and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the State of West Virginia or the West Virginia Secretary of State.
How long is a West Virginia notary commission, and what does it take?
A WV notary commission is 5 years. Apply through the Secretary of State portal for $52, take the oath of office, and obtain a rectangular inked stamp. There is NO bond required (WV eliminated the bond requirement effective June 3, 2018).
What must a West Virginia notary stamp include?
An inked rubber stamp, RECTANGULAR, no larger than 1 inch high by 2.5 inches wide, with a border. It must include your name as commissioned, the words ‘Notary Public,’ ‘State of West Virginia,’ and your commission expiration date.
What can a West Virginia notary charge per act?
WV caps the per-act fee at $10 per signature notarized. For certified facsimile copies retained in your file, the cap is $10 per 8.5×11-inch page. Travel may be agreed separately.
Does West Virginia allow Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
Yes. To add RON, submit the separate E-Notarization Authorization form (no extra fee), identify your RON technology vendor, use an approved tamper-evident platform with identity-proofing, keep the required electronic journal, and retain the AV recording. You must be physically located in WV when you perform the remote act.
What’s included in the West Virginia Notary Handbook?
A fillable PDF covering WV notary law in plain English; every RULONA short-form certificate; a printable notary invoice with the $10 cap built in; loose certificates; binder-ready journal pages; a 30-day marketing quick-start; and a glossary of notary terms.
Legal Disclaimer: The Enhanced West Virginia Notary Handbook is an independently produced study and reference guide. It is not the official West Virginia Notary Public Manual and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by the State of West Virginia or the West Virginia Secretary of State. Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers is a nonlawyer document preparation service, not a law firm; this handbook is for education and reference only, is not legal advice, and using it does not create an attorney-client relationship. West Virginia notary law can change — always confirm current requirements with the West Virginia Secretary of State, and consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
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