Making Changes to Your Current Notary Public Commission

Address Changes

If you move (or change employment) and can no longer be reached at the address listed on your rubber stamp seal, you must file a change of address.

Take these steps:

Name Changes

If you change your legal name through marriage or by court action, you must file the name change within thirty (30) days through the Secretary of State (per West Virginia Code §39-4-22).

Take these steps:

  • Complete the Notary Public Name and/or Address Change via the Enterprise Registration & Licensing System. NO FEE
  • Order a new rubber stamp seal with your new name and your current expiration date.
  • While you are waiting for the change to be processed, sign notarizations using your new name, and write under your signature "Commissioned as" and your old name. Continue to use your old stamp until the new one is approved, then destroy the old stamp.

Name and Address Changes

You may change both name and address with a single filing by completing the Notary Public Name and/or Address Change via the Enterprise Registration & Licensing System. Follow the steps outlined above for each change requested. NO FEE

Reporting a Lost or Stolen Stamping Device

If your stamping device is lost or stolen, the notary public or the notary public's personal representative or guardian shall notify the Secretary of State promptly on discovering the device is lost or stolen (per West Virginia Code §39-4-18(b)).

Complete the Notary Public Recording Lost or Stolen Seal form via the Enterprise Registration & Licensing System. NO FEE

Resignation

If you leave West Virginia, or otherwise decide to resign your commission, you must resign in writing and disable the stamping device by destroying, defacing, damaging, erasing or securing it against use in a manner that renders it unusable (per West Virginia Code §39-4-18(b)). Complete the Notary Public Resignation form via the Enterprise Registration & Licensing System. NO FEE

Contact the Notary Division for further assistance regarding Notary Public commission.