The Governor commissions every
notary public, and a record of that appointment is entered into the Executive
Journal. In the early years of the State, each notary public appointment
is a separate hand-written entry in the Journal. Today, with nearly
4,500 notaries appointed each year, the entries are made once a month, with a
computer generated list attached to the Executive Journal.
Until 1984, there were two
classifications of notary public, those appointed to serve only in a single
county, and those appointed to serve statewide. The older appointments
of county notaries would describe the appointment as "in and for
the County of _____."
Detailed information about notary
public commissioning is found in the Notary Public
section of this site. However, to inquire about a notary public
appointed before 1984, you may use the request links in this section.
While a notary public must have a
business or residence address within West Virginia, and is authorized to
acknowledge only documents signed within the state, the office of
Commissioner for West Virginia was created to broaden that scope.
Commissioners need not be
residents of West Virginia or have a business address here. A
Commissioner for West Virginia may acknowledge documents and take oaths either within or
outside of the state for recordation within the State. This commission
is used primarily by those representing businesses who conduct property or
other legal transactions to be filed in West Virginia, and by court reporters
who go outside the state to take depositions or affidavits to be filed in
state courts.
The commission issued is good for
a period of ten years. Commissioners must act in compliance with law
relating to acknowledgments and oaths. Information about these
requirements is available in our Notary Public
section.
Applying to Become a
Commissioner for West Virginia
Eligibility: A
person residing in West Virginia or another state may become a Commissioner
for West Virginia. Although the eligibility requirements are not spelled
out in West Virginia Code as they are for a notary public or other officer,
the Governor's Office performs a background check prior to issuing the
commission.
Application: To
apply for appointment, follow these steps:
-
Download the form using the Acrobat Reader (see Acrobat
Reader Help
if you have not used this program before.)
Commissioner
for WV Application Form
Commissioner
Bond Form
or e-mail your
request for an application for Commissioner for West Virginia.
-
Complete the application form online and print. Be sure the
application is properly signed.
-
Obtain a $1,000 corporate
surety bond using the approved bond form.
-
Mail or deliver your completed
application and bond form with a fee of $100. See Ordering
& Payment.
Appointment: When
your completed application, bond and fee are received, your application is
forwarded to the Governor. Allow about three weeks
for the review and issuance of the commission. When the appointment is
returned to the Secretary of State, the Certificate of
Appointment will be mailed to you.
Seal: As
soon as you receive the certificate of appointment, order an impression
(embossing) seal from an office supply company. The seal must contain
your name, your residence city and state, and the words "Commissioner for
West Virginia." When you receive the seal, make an impression of it
on a paper and mail that to the Secretary of State.
Questions &
Correspondence: If you have
questions, e-mail us or call (304) 558-6000 or (866) SOS-VOTE. Please direct mail to: Attn: Executive Records,
Secretary of State, Bldg. 1, Suite 157-K, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston,
WV 25305-0770.
