West Virginia does not require a journal — but strongly recommends one. RON and RIN both require mandatory 5-year A/V recording retention. West Virginia is unusual in requiring a high school diploma for notary applicants. No bond. No county recording. NotaryAct is state-configured for West Virginia — best-practice journal for all acts, full RON/RIN documentation support.
| ⚖️ West Virginia Notary Journal Law — Quick Reference | |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | W.Va. Code Chapter 39, Article 4 (§ 39-4 RULONA) · WV Handbook (Rev. Sept. 2025) |
| Traditional Journal | Not required · WV Handbook strongly recommends as best practice |
| Electronic Journal (IPEN) | Optional · If used, must comply with SOS administrative rules |
| RON/RIN A/V Recording | Mandatory — retained for at least 5 years (§ 39-4-38) ✓ |
| RIN (Remote Ink Notarization) | Authorized — paper document, signer signs on camera, mails original to notary ✓ |
| Thumbprint / Fingerprint | Not required · Not prohibited · Optional in NotaryAct WV configuration |
| High School Diploma/GED | Required for applicants commissioned on/after January 1, 2018 — unusual nationally ✓ |
| Surety Bond | Not required · No county filing required |
| Max Notarial Fee | $10 per notarial act (§ 39-4-30) |
| E-Notarization Authorization | Free · Submit E-Notarization Authorization form (Form N-2) · No separate RON registration needed beyond e-notary status |
| Commission Term | 5 years · Online application through ERLS portal |
West Virginia adopted RULONA and does not mandate a journal for traditional notarizations. The September 2025 Notary Handbook strongly recommends one. For e-notarizations, an electronic journal is optional but must comply with SOS administrative rules (153 CSR 45) if voluntarily maintained. For RON and RIN, the mandatory record is the audio-visual recording — the journal remains optional.
West Virginia also authorizes Remote Ink Notarization (RIN), a hybrid where the document remains paper but the signer appears remotely via audio-video. The signer signs the paper document on camera and mails the original to the notary within the required timeframe. The notary completes the notarial certificate and affixes their ink seal. Both RON and RIN require a 5-year A/V recording.
The high school diploma/GED requirement is genuinely unusual — most states have no education requirement for notary applicants beyond the minimum age. West Virginia is one of only a few states that requires demonstrated educational attainment.
The WV Notary Handbook recommends these fields for all notarizations. NotaryAct’s West Virginia configuration enables all of them.
| 1 | Date and time — Auto-timestamped by NotaryAct. |
| 2 | Type of notarial act — Acknowledgment, jurat, oath, signature witnessing, copy certification. NotaryAct dropdown. |
| 3 | Document description — NotaryAct includes a dedicated field. |
| 4 | Signer name and address — Auto-filled via barcode scanner from any WV driver’s license. |
| 5 | Identity verification — Personal knowledge, government ID type/details, or credible witness. NotaryAct supports all three. |
| + | Signer’s signature · Fee ($10 max) — Electronic signature capture and fee field in NotaryAct. |
✔ NotaryAct is state-configured for West Virginia: Full best-practice journal for all acts. RON/RIN session documentation support including 5-year A/V record tracking. Fingerprint capture available as optional feature.
Other state guides: Virginia · Kentucky · Ohio · Pennsylvania · All 50 States →
NotaryAct’s West Virginia configuration gives you a comprehensive best-practice journal for all notarizations and full RON/RIN session documentation — for the full 5 years of required A/V recording retention.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information reflects W.Va. Code Chapter 39, Article 4 and the West Virginia Notary Handbook (Revised September 2025) as in effect June 2026. Consult the West Virginia Secretary of State Notary Division at sos.wv.gov or qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
