Notary Qualification

To be a notary public in Oregon, you must meet the following qualifications, at the time of application: (A background check is conducted on all applications for a notary public commission).

     •     Be 18 years of age or older
     •     Be a resident of the State of Oregon (You may also qualify if you are a resident of California,
           Idaho, Nevada, or Washington and carry on a trade or business or are regularly employed within
           the State of Oregon)
     •     Be able to read and write the English language
     •     Be of good moral character
     •     Not have had a notary commission revoked for official misconduct during the previous
           5 years
     •     Complete a 3 hour Notary training course (not required for current Notaries with an active
           commission at the time the new application is received in our office.)
     •     Not have been convicted of a felony, or of a lesser offense incompatible with the duties of a
           notary public, during the previous 10 years
     •     Pass the Secretary of State's Notary Examination

Good moral character means character other than that which reflects moral turpitude and conduct which would cause a reasonable person to have substantial doubts about an individual's honesty, fairness and respect for the rights of others and for the laws of the state and the nation. To be relevant to deciding whether a person is of "good moral character," conduct of questionable good moral character must be rationally connected to the applicant's fitness to be a notary public.

Conviction of a Lesser Offense Incompatible with the Duties of a Notary Public - Defined
“Conviction of a lesser offense incompatible with the duties of a notary public” as cited in ORS 194.166(4) and OAR 160-100-0610(67) shall mean having been convicted in any court of the State of Oregon or any other state or federal jurisdiction of one of the crimes listed below or any comparable crime:

     •     Any misconduct identified of the notary offenses listed in ORS 194.990
     •     Compounding a felony (ORS 162.335)
     •     Criminal impersonation (ORS 162.365)
     •     Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the 2nd degree (ORS 165.017)
     •     Criminal simulation (ORS 165.037)
     •     False swearing (ORS 162.075)
     •     Falsifying business records (ORS 165.080)
     •     Forgery in the 2nd degree (ORS 165.007)
     •     Fraudulently obtaining a signature (ORS 165.042)
     •     Giving false information to police officer for a citation (ORS 162.385)
     •     Initiating a false report (ORS 162.375)
     •     Issuing a false financial statement (ORS 165.100)
     •     Misapplication of entrusted property (ORS 165.095)
     •     Misuse of confidential information (ORS 162.425)
     •     Obstructing governmental or judicial administration (ORS 162.235)
     •     Obtaining execution of documents by deception (ORS 165.102)
     •     Simulating legal process (ORS 162.355)
     •     Tampering with physical evidence (ORS 162.295)
     •     Tampering with public records (ORS 162.305)
     •     Unsworn falsification (ORS 162.085)
     •     Any other offense of a similar nature to the above listed crimes, which is incompatible with the
           duties of a notary public.