Do Residential Leases in Washington Really Need to Be Notarized? Here Is What You Should Know

Every now and then a question comes up that surprises people more than it surprises me. One of the most common is very simple. Do leases in Washington need to be notarized? The answer is sometimes, yes.

Under RCW 59.18.210, any residential lease that lasts longer than 1 year must be in writing and notarized to be considered legally enforceable in Washington. Month to month leases or renewals under a year do not require notarization. However, once the lease term goes beyond the twelve month mark, the law requires a notary’s acknowledgment to make the agreement official.

This extra step matters more than most people realize. Notarization confirms that everyone signing is who they say they are, understands what they are signing, and is doing so willingly. It also helps protect both the property owner and the tenant if a disagreement ever comes up later. A properly notarized lease is far easier to uphold in court or in any legal dispute because it has been verified by a commissioned notary.

If you are a tenant signing a long term lease, it is important to make sure the document is notarized before you move in. If you are a landlord, property manager, or HOA representative, having a reliable notary available makes your process smoother, faster, and fully compliant with Washington law.

I work with clients across Pierce, Thurston, and parts of Lewis County to make lease signings simple. My mobile notarization services allow you to choose a signing location that works best for you. That can be a property management office, community clubhouse, coffee shop, workplace, or your own home. For clients who are traveling, living out of town, or even outside the country, I offer secure Remote Online Notarization so the signing can be completed from anywhere.

If you have a long term lease coming up or you are unsure whether your document needs to be notarized, reach out anytime. I am happy to answer your questions, help you stay compliant, and make the entire process easy and stress free.

Serving Pierce, Thurston, and parts of Lewis Counties

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Notarization may be boring but I’m not!