Washington e-signature and notarization law

Washington's electronic signature law: the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (RCW ch. 1.80). Electronic signatures are also valid under the federal ESIGN Act for most transactions. Some documents are excluded, such as wills, divorce and adoption documents, court orders and certain official notices.

The fuller federal list is in our guide to e-signing in the United States.

What Washington's e-signature law does not cover

RCW 1.80.020 says the chapter does not apply to transactions governed by:

• A law governing the creation and execution of wills, codicils or testamentary trusts. The chapter does apply, however, to nonjudicial settlement agreements under RCW 11.96A.220.
• Title 62A RCW, other than RCW 62A.1-306 and chapters 62A.2 and 62A.2A RCW.

How Washington's law treats electronic records

RCW 1.80.060 holds Washington's writing rule: if a law requires a record to be in writing, an electronic record satisfies the law. The chapter is recent, and RCW 1.80.030 applies it to electronic records and signatures created, sent or stored on or after June 11, 2020.

Remote online notarization in Washington

Remote online notarization: allowed in Washington since October 1, 2020.

Washington gives this power to electronic records notaries. Under RCW 42.45.280, an electronic records notary public located in Washington may perform a notarial act using communication technology for a remotely located individual, meaning someone not in the notary's physical presence.

A notary applies to the director for a commission as an electronic records notary public under RCW 42.45.200.

The 2019 law behind RCW 42.45.280, 2019 c 154, took effect October 1, 2020. A 2026 amendment, 2026 c 21, takes effect January 1, 2027.

The regulator is the Department of Licensing, and a notary applies to its director for the electronic records commission. An electronic records notary may identify a signer by at least two different types of identity proofing, and the audiovisual recording is retained for at least ten years after it is made.

A Washington notary keeps a journal of notarial acts and retains it for ten years after the last act in it. The director may set maximum notarial fees by rule.

The version of RCW 42.45.280 that takes effect January 1, 2027 adds a paper route: a signer with a tangible record signs it and a declaration during the recording and sends both to the notary not later than three days afterwards.

SignAndGo doesn't notarize documents. A commissioned notary does that, using a remote notarization platform where the state allows it.

Where to read Washington's law

• Electronic signatures: RCW ch. 1.80, exclusions at RCW 1.80.020.
• Remote notarization: RCW 42.45.280, commission at RCW 42.45.200.

Checked against Washington's published law on November 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.