Notary Permits & Licenses in Salem, OR

Employers must pay Oregon unemployment insurance tax (UI tax) on first $54,000 of each employee’s wages (2023 rate varies by experience rating). New employers pay a standard rate of 3.4%. See: https://www.oregon.gov/employ/taxes/Pages/employer-tax-info.aspx

All Oregon LLCs are subject to the Corporate Excise Tax, which is 6% of taxable income with a $250 minimum. Even if no income is earned, the $250 minimum applies. Form 65 must be filed annually. See: https://www.oregon.gov/dor/forms/FormsPubs/form-65-inst-2022.pdf

Not all Oregon cities require a local business license. Portland requires a Business License ($68/year as of 2023). Other cities may have similar requirements. Check with the city clerk in the jurisdiction of operation. See Portland example: https://www.portland.gov/auditor/business-licenses

Single-member LLCs without employees may use the owner’s SSN, but obtaining an EIN is recommended for liability protection. EIN is required for Oregon state tax accounts even if not federally required. See: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-ss-4

Annual report required separately; all LLCs must register regardless of industry

Applies to all active LLCs; online filing available

Required for all notaries; prerequisites include 18+, read/write English, no felony convictions, pass exam, $10k bond, $5k E&O insurance; LLC itself not commissioned - individual notary is

50-question exam on notary laws; 70% passing score; must complete approved education course first (cost varies, ~$40-60 from providers)

All notaries public in Oregon must file a $10,000 surety bond with the Secretary of State or county clerk before receiving their commission. The bond must be maintained throughout the 4-year term. This is a personal requirement for the notary, but essential for notary services. See: https://sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/notary.aspx

Required for all businesses; notary services classified under professional services

Limits clients on premises to 1 at a time; no exterior signage; complies with Title 33 zoning

Does not apply within City of Portland limits; separate from state notary commission

Wall signs under 25 sq ft may qualify for exemption in commercial zones

Required for assembly occupancy if receiving public walk-ins

Self-monitored systems exempt

Notary offices permitted in OS, C, E, and I zones; conditional use in some residential zones

Professional services like notary included; home occupation has separate $50 permit

Home occupations allowed with restrictions on traffic generation

Required if transacting business under any name other than the registered LLC name; publish notice in newspaper within 60 days (county-specific cost)

Oregon does not impose sales tax on most services, including notary services. Therefore, most notaries do not need to collect or remit sales tax. However, if the LLC sells tangible goods (e.g., shipping supplies, notary kits), registration may be required. See: https://www.oregon.gov/dor/business/faq-sales-tax.aspx

Oregon imposes a Corporate Excise Tax (measured by net income) on LLCs doing business in-state. For 2023, the tax rate is 6% of taxable income with a minimum tax of $250. LLCs must file Form 65 (Oregon Business Income Tax Return) annually. See: https://www.oregon.gov/dor/forms/FormsPubs/form-65-2022.pdf

Employers must withhold Oregon personal income tax from employee wages and remit it quarterly using Form OR-47. Registration is done via the Combined Tax Registration form. See: https://www.oregon.gov/dor/forms/FormsPubs/or-47-2022.pdf

Not required for notary services. The Oregon CCB requires a surety bond only for businesses performing construction or home improvement work. A notary LLC providing only notarial services is not subject to this requirement.

While not required for all sole proprietorships, an EIN is mandatory for LLCs that have employees or choose to be taxed as a corporation. Notaries operating as single-member LLCs with no employees may use their SSN, but obtaining an EIN is recommended for privacy and banking purposes.

A single-member LLC is disregarded for federal tax purposes and reports income on Schedule C of Form 1040. A multi-member LLC is treated as a partnership and must file Form 1065. Notaries must report all notary service income. No federal income tax is paid at the entity level for single-member or multi-member LLCs unless electing corporate taxation.

Federal OSHA does not cover self-employed individuals. If the notary hires employees, they must comply with OSHA’s General Duty Clause, provide a safe workplace, and post the OSHA Job Safety and Health poster (available at https://www.osha.gov/poster). No specific industry standards apply to notary services.

If the notary operates from a home office not open to the public, ADA requirements are minimal. If clients visit the office or services are provided in public-facing locations, the business must ensure accessibility under Title III of the ADA. This includes physical access, communication access, and service policies.

Notary services do not involve hazardous materials, emissions, or regulated waste. Therefore, no federal EPA permits or compliance programs (e.g., RCRA, Clean Air Act) apply to standard notary operations. This requirement is included for completeness but does not impose obligations on this business type.

All businesses must comply with FTC rules against deceptive or misleading advertising. Notaries must not make false claims about services (e.g., "legal advice," "document preparation") unless licensed. The FTC enforces truth-in-advertising standards under Section 5 of the FTC Act. This applies regardless of business structure or size.

All U.S. employers must complete Form I-9 to verify identity and employment authorization for each employee. Notaries acting as sole proprietors with no employees are not required to file I-9s. The form must be retained for inspection.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires payment of federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) and overtime (1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week) to non-exempt employees. Most notary employees would be non-exempt. Employers must maintain accurate time and payroll records.

A $10,000 surety bond is legally required for all Oregon notaries public, regardless of business structure. The bond protects the public from financial loss due to improper notarial conduct. The bond must be issued by a surety company licensed in Oregon and filed with the Secretary of State. This is a mandatory requirement under ORS 333.055 and OAR 160-085-0030.

Required for all employers with one or more employees in Oregon, including LLCs. Sole proprietors without employees are exempt. Notaries who hire staff (e.g., assistants, employees) must carry workers' comp insurance through a private carrier or the State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF).

General liability insurance is not legally required by the State of Oregon for notaries. However, the Oregon Secretary of State strongly recommends notaries obtain errors and omissions (E&O) insurance to protect against claims of negligence or mistakes. This is distinct from the required surety bond, which protects the public, while E&O protects the notary.

While not mandated by Oregon law, the Secretary of State explicitly recommends that all notaries, including those operating as LLCs, carry E&O insurance to protect against claims of mistakes or omissions in notarial acts. This is separate from the required $10,000 surety bond, which protects the public, not the notary.

Required under Oregon law (ORS 806.010) for any vehicle registered to the business. If the notary LLC owns a vehicle used for business purposes (e.g., mobile notary services), it must carry commercial auto insurance meeting minimum liability limits: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $20,000 property damage. Personal auto policies do not cover business use.

Not required by Oregon law for standard notary services. If the LLC sells physical goods (e.g., notary seals, record books), product liability coverage may be prudent but is not legally mandated. No state statute imposes this requirement on notaries.

Not applicable to standard notary services. Oregon requires liquor liability insurance only for businesses holding OLCC licenses (e.g., bars, restaurants). A notary business does not require this unless it operates a venue where alcohol is served, which is not typical.

FMLA requires eligible employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for qualifying medical and family reasons. Most small notary businesses will not meet the employee threshold and are exempt.

There is no federal license required to operate as a Notary Public in the United States. Notary commissions are issued exclusively at the state level (in this case, by the Oregon Secretary of State). No federal agencies (FDA, ATF, FCC, DOT, etc.) regulate notary services.

Under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), most LLCs must report beneficial ownership information to FinCEN. This includes identifying individuals who own or control the company. The reporting requirement applies regardless of whether the business operates or has employees. Exemptions exist but do not generally apply to small notary businesses.

All Oregon Notaries must post a $10,000 surety bond and maintain a $10,000 Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance policy. Commissions are renewed every 5 years.

All businesses operating in Oregon must register with the Secretary of State via the Business Xpress system. This includes sole proprietors using a trade name.

All Oregon LLCs must file an annual report with the Secretary of State. The report confirms business information and maintains active status. Must be filed every year regardless of activity.

Notary public commissions in Oregon are issued for four-year terms. Renewal must be submitted before June 30 of the expiration year. Requires completed application, oath of office, and filing fee. Applies only to the individual notary, not the LLC itself, but essential for business operation.

ORS 194.041 requires that the notary’s certificate of commission must be displayed at the location where notarial acts are performed. If operating from multiple locations or mobile, the certificate must be available for inspection upon request.

ORS 194.111 and OAR 160-310-0050 require notaries to maintain a bound, permanent journal for certain notarial acts including acknowledgments and verifications. The journal must be retained for at least five years after the last entry. Digital journals are permitted if they meet state requirements.

Applies only if the LLC has elected corporate tax treatment. Most LLCs are pass-through entities and do not file this return. Check with a tax professional to determine correct filing status.

Most LLCs in Oregon are pass-through entities. Owners must report their share of profits on their personal Oregon income tax return. This is not a business-level filing but a personal obligation stemming from business operations.

Individuals, including sole proprietors and partners in pass-through entities, must make quarterly estimated tax payments if they expect to owe more than $1,000 in Oregon income tax. Applies to owners of the LLC, not the entity itself.

Not all businesses need a state business license. Most cities require local business licenses instead. The Oregon Business Registry license is required only for businesses operating outside city limits or in specific zones. Not required if operating within a city that issues its own license.

Many Oregon cities require an annual business license. Fees and deadlines vary. For example, Portland requires renewal by the anniversary date of issuance. Check with local city clerk’s office for specific requirements.

Employers must display current federal and Oregon labor law posters in a conspicuous location accessible to employees. Includes OSHA, FLSA, EEO, Oregon Minimum Wage, Family Leave, etc. Required only if the LLC has hired employees.

All employers in Oregon must have workers’ compensation coverage through the State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF) or a private carrier. Sole proprietors without employees are not required to carry coverage.

LLCs must keep their principal office address and registered agent information current with the Secretary of State. Changes must be filed within 30 days. Failure to do so may lead to administrative dissolution.

A $7,500 surety bond is required when applying for or renewing a notary commission. The bond must be maintained throughout the commission period. While typically purchased as a one-time premium, some providers may charge annually. Required for individual notary, not the LLC.

ORS 194.101 requires all notaries to use a seal (stamp or engraving) on every notarial act. The seal must include the notary’s name, commission number, 'Notary Public', 'State of Oregon', and commission expiration date. Must be permanent and photographically reproducible.