District of Columbia (DC)

DC notaries file their signature documentation with the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA).
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact ONCA to request authentication of the notary's commission and signature.
2. When a notary's commission terminates, they must turn their journal over to ONCA, so historical notarization records may also be available.
Contact: ONCA — (202) 727-3117
Address: 899 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 8100, Washington, DC 20002

DC maintains notary records through the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA).
1. Contact ONCA directly for historical commission verification.
2. Notary journals are surrendered to ONCA when a commission terminates, so records of specific notarizations may be available.
Contact: ONCA — (202) 727-3117
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:15 AM - 4:45 PM
Commission term: 5 years.

The District of Columbia requires notaries to use an embosser (raised seal) along with a seal impression inker for imprinting their seal on notarized documents.
Stamp requirements (D.C. Code § 1-1231.16):
- Shape: Circular border, not larger than 1¾" (1.75 inches) in diameter
- Must include: Notary's name as commissioned, "District of Columbia", commission expiration date, commission number
- Must be capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed
- DC adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) effective March 2021

District of Columbia — Contacting the Notary for Verification

The District of Columbia requires each notary public to maintain a journal of all official notarial acts (D.C. Code § 1-1231.18). This requirement applies to both traditional and electronic notarizations.

Journal requirements:
- Mandatory: Each notary public must maintain a journal recording all notarial acts performed.
- Format: The journal may be maintained on a tangible medium (permanent bound register with numbered pages) or in an electronic format (tamper-evident technology). A notary may maintain separate journals for tangible and electronic records.
- Required entries: The name and address of each person for whom a notarial act is performed, along with other details specified in the statute and regulations.
- Retention: The notary must retain the journal for the entire tenure of their commission.

Accessing notary records:
- DC law does not establish a general public right to inspect notary journals.
- Access to journal records would typically require the notary's consent, a court-issued subpoena, or other legal process.
- Law enforcement and courts may compel production of journals through appropriate legal channels.

Disposition of journals:
- Upon resignation, revocation, or suspension of a commission, the notary must transmit the journal to the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA).
- Upon death or adjudication of incompetency of a notary, the personal representative, guardian, or any person in possession of the journal must transmit it to ONCA.
- This is the notary's responsibility (or their estate's responsibility), not the employer's.

Key considerations:
- If a notary changes employers but keeps their commission, they must take the journal with them.
- All journals must be turned in to ONCA when the commission terminates for any reason.
- The DC notary database allows verification of a notary's current commission status.

Contact:
- DC Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA) — (202) 727-3117
- Email: notary@dc.gov
- Website: os.dc.gov/service/notary-commissions
- Address: 899 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 8100, Washington, DC 20002
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (except holidays)

Relevant statutes: D.C. Code § 1-1231.18, Chapter 12A (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts)

This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.