USA MADE IN THE USA

ALL ORDERS SHIP NEXT BUSINESS DAY

CONTACT US

Notary Requirements for New Jersey: 2025 Updated

by Ben Camerota
Great Falls of The Passaic in New Jersey

This guide provides an up-to-date overview (as of May 2025) of New Jersey’s requirements for becoming a notary public and renewing a commission, managed by the Department of the Treasury’s Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES). It covers eligibility, the application and renewal process (including new education and exam requirements), notary tools (seal and journal), the oath of office, commission terms, Remote Online Notarization (RON) rules, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a New Jersey notary public commission, an applicant must meet these criteria:

  • Residency or Employment in NJ: You must either be a resident of New Jersey, OR a resident of an adjoining state (such as New York, Pennsylvania, or Delaware) who maintains or is regularly employed in an office in New Jersey. Remote employees of a New Jersey-based business can also qualify if the business has its domicile or primary place of business in NJ. Non-resident applicants will need to provide a New Jersey business address and a notarized affidavit attesting to their out-of-state home address when applying.

  • Minimum Age: You must be at least 18 years old.

  • Good Character (Criminal History): You cannot have been convicted of an offense involving dishonesty or a crime of the first or second degree under any state or federal law. If you do have such a conviction, approval is at the discretion of the State Treasurer with the Attorney General’s consent, which is rare.

  • Attorney Exemption: Licensed New Jersey attorneys are automatically eligible for a notary commission and are exempt from the usual training, exam, and legislator endorsement requirements during the application process.

There is no New Jersey citizenship requirement. Applicants should be able to read and write English. No surety bond is required in New Jersey.

New Jersey Notary Stamp and Seal - Prostamps

Get a notary stamp that meets New Jersey’s official requirements, available in multiple formats and shipped within one business day.

Order New Jersey Notary Stamp

Application Process

New Jersey strongly encourages applicants to use the online Notary Public Application System for both new commissions and renewals.

  1. Study the Notary Manual / Education Requirement: New applicants (non-attorneys) must complete a state-approved 6-hour notary training course and pass an exam. As of 2025, reviewing the official New Jersey Notary Public Manual and associated training videos generally satisfies the course requirement in lieu of an in-person class.

  2. Complete the Online Application Form: Visit the DORES Notary Public Online Portal. Create an account and fill out the Notary Commissioning Application with personal information, confirmation of eligibility, and your selected County for the oath of office. Non-residents must upload a Business Affidavit certifying their NJ employment/office. Any potentially disqualifying convictions require uploading certified court records and proof of rehabilitation.

  3. Legislator Endorsement: New Jersey requires non-attorney applications to be endorsed by a State Legislator (Senator or General Assembly member). The online system automatically forwards the submitted form to your district legislator for endorsement.

  4. Pay the Application Fee: The state filing fee is $25.00 (non-refundable). When filing online, a convenience fee is added (totaling $30.00). Payment can be made by credit/debit card or e-check online.

  5. Take the Notary Public Exam: After legislative endorsement, new applicants must complete the required state exam, administered online via the same portal (a link to the “Notary Public Exam” will be available). The State Treasurer may charge up to $15 for the exam. The test is open-book, covering content from the New Jersey Notary Public Manual. A passing score is required.

  6. Complete Notary Registration: After passing the exam (or for attorneys, after application approval), finalize your commission issuance by completing the Notary Registration Application on the portal. This confirms your details for the official commission documents.

  7. Receive Commission Certificate: Once DORES approves your application, you'll be issued a Notary Public Commission Certificate and an Oath of Office qualification certificate. These are typically mailed within 1-2 weeks for online applications.

  8. Swear the Oath of Office at County Clerk: This is a critical final step. Within 90 days of your commission’s issuance date, you must appear in person at the County Clerk’s Office for the county you selected. You will need to bring:

    • Your Notary Commission Certificate and Oath Qualification Certificate.

    • A valid photo ID.

    • Proof of your commission address (some counties may ask for this).

    • The county oath fee of $15. The County Clerk (or deputy) will administer your oath and have you sign the Oath Qualification Certificate. They will then officially qualify you and record the oath. The Clerk’s office forwards confirmation to the State Treasurer. Failure to take the oath within 90 days voids your commission, requiring a new application and fees.

Surety Bond

New Jersey does not require notaries public to obtain a surety bond as part of the commissioning process. While a bond is not required, notaries are financially liable for misconduct. Optional Notary Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance can provide personal protection against claims from unintentional mistakes.

Notary Seal and Journal

New Jersey law mandates all notaries use an official seal (stamp) and maintain a journal of notarial acts.

Notary Seal:

  • Every notary must authenticate each notarization with an official stamp.

  • Minimum required information on seal:

    1. Your name as it appears on your commission.

    2. The title “Notary Public, State of New Jersey.”

    3. Your commission expiration date.

  • The seal can be a traditional rubber ink stamp or an embosser (or an electronic stamp for digital notarizations), as long as the imprint is clear and reproducible. New Jersey law does not specify shape, size, or ink color.

  • Seal Security: Your notary stamping device is your exclusive property. Store it securely and never allow others to use it. If lost or stolen, notify the State Treasurer’s office via the DORES website within 10 days.

Notary Journal:

  • Every notary public must keep a journal of all notarial acts performed (with a limited exception for attorneys).

  • The journal can be paper (bound book, pre-numbered pages) or electronic (permanent, tamper-evident, sequentially numbered). Only one active journal at a time.

  • Required entries for each notarial act:

    1. Date and time of the notarization.

    2. Type of notarial act (e.g., acknowledgment, jurat).

    3. Full name and address of the person whose signature or act is being notarized.

    4. Method of identification: personal knowledge (with a statement to that effect) or details from an ID document (e.g., “NJ Driver’s License, ID#..., exp. date”) or credible identifying witness details.

    5. Notarial fee charged, if any.

  • Journal Retention: Keep your journal for at least 10 years after the date of the last entry, even after your commission expires. Upon ceasing as a notary, either continue secure retention or surrender it to the State Treasurer’s office per their instructions.

  • Lost or Stolen Journal: Notify the State Treasurer via the DORES website within 10 days.

  • Journal Exemption for Attorneys: A notary who is an NJ-licensed attorney, or employed by one, or by a title insurance company, may use regular business records (e.g., client files) instead of a separate notary journal, provided those records contain all required notarial act details. Many attorney-notaries still opt to keep a traditional journal.

Oath of Office

All NJ notaries must take an official Oath of Office at their designated County Clerk’s Office within 90 days of commission issuance.

  • Procedure: Bring your Notary Commission Certificate, Oath Qualification Certificate, valid photo ID, and the $15 County Clerk fee. You will swear an oath to faithfully, impartially, and honestly perform your notarial duties and uphold NJ laws. The Clerk administers the oath, and you sign the Oath Qualification form.

  • Post-Oath: The County Clerk notifies the State Treasurer. Keep your endorsed Commission Certificate as proof of authority.

  • Failure to Qualify: Not taking the oath within 90 days voids the commission, requiring reapplication.

Each commission renewal also requires taking the oath again for the new term.

Commission Term

A New Jersey notary public commission is valid for five years. The term begins on the date specified in your commission certificate and runs five years from that date. Your commission expiration date must be part of your notary stamp impression. You cannot notarize after expiration without renewal. DORES typically sends a renewal reminder about 3 months prior.

Commission Renewal

Renewing is similar to the initial application.

  1. When to Renew: Submit renewal application several weeks before expiration; filing is allowed up to 90 days prior.

  2. Education Requirement for Renewal: Renewing notaries must complete a 3-hour continuing education course (e.g., by reviewing the updated Notary Manual and materials provided by the state).

  3. No Exam for Active Renewals: If renewing before expiration or within 30 days after, no re-examination is needed.

  4. Lapsed Commission (Grace Period): If your commission expires and you wait more than 30 days to submit a renewal, you are treated as a new applicant (requiring the exam, legislator endorsement, etc.).

  5. Renewal Application Process (via online portal):

    • Access and complete the "Notary Renewal Application."

    • Update personal information.

    • Legislative endorsement is required (online system routes automatically).

    • Pay $25 renewal fee (+$5 online processing fee).

    • Certify completion of continuing education.

  6. Await New Commission Certificate: DORES issues a renewed certificate (new number and term).

  7. Oath for Renewal: Take the Oath of Office again at the County Clerk within 90 days of the new term's start ($15 fee).

  8. Seal/Journal: Update your seal with the new commission expiration date. Continue using your current journal if it has space.

Remote Online Notarization (RON)

New Jersey has permanent RON provisions (effective October 22, 2021).

  • Notary Location: The notary must be physically located in New Jersey during the RON. The signer can be anywhere.

  • Authorization/Notification: Before performing RON, notify the State Treasurer (DORES) via the online portal of your intent and the RON technology platform you will use.

  • Approved Technology: Must enable secure, real-time, simultaneous audio-visual communication and facilitate identity proofing.

  • Identity Verification for Remote Signer:

    • Personal knowledge, OR

    • Visual inspection of government-issued photo ID via camera, PLUS

    • At least two forms of identity proofing (e.g., credential analysis of the ID, knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions, or biometric verification) facilitated by the RON platform.

  • Conducting RON: After ID verification, the notary conducts the ceremony via live videoconference, witnessing the signing (electronic or paper) and completing the notarial certificate with an electronic seal.

  • Remote Notarization of Paper Documents: NJ law allows a process for this: signer signs paper on camera, signs a declaration, mails original document/declaration to notary within 3 days. Notary compares, completes certificate (noting remote act), and seals.

  • Certificate Wording: Must indicate the act was performed using communication technology.

  • Recordkeeping – Audio/Video Recording: Notary or RON system must create and retain an audio-visual recording of the RON session for 10 years.

  • Limitations: RON provisions do not apply to records governed by laws on creating and executing wills, codicils, or testamentary trusts.

Official Resources

  • New Jersey Notary Public Manual (2021): Comprehensive official guide (NJ Department of the Treasury).

  • NJ Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services – Notary Public Commissions Website: Official portal for applications, manual, training videos (njportal.com or nj.gov/treasury/revenue).

  • NJ Notary Public Statutes: N.J.S.A. Title 52:7-10 et seq.

  • County Clerk Websites: For local oath procedures.

  • DORES Notary Public Unit Contact: 609-292-0642.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What should I do if I lose my notary seal or journal?

A: Notify the State Treasurer’s office (DORES) via their website within 10 days of discovering the loss. Purchase a new seal promptly.

Q: How much does it cost to become a notary public in New Jersey?

A: Approximately $70-$100 for new notaries (state application/portal fee ~$30, exam fee ~$15, county oath fee $15, plus seal/journal costs ~$30-$60). Renewals are slightly less.

Q: What are the fees that notaries themselves can charge for their services?

A: Maximum $2.50 per act (e.g., oath, jurat, acknowledgment). Travel expenses can be charged separately if agreed upon in advance.

Q: My notary commission is expiring soon. Is there a grace period to renew, and can I continue notarizing while waiting for renewal?

A: No grace period to notarize past expiration. A 30-day window post-expiration allows renewal without re-taking the exam, but you cannot notarize during any lapse until sworn in for the new term.

Q: How do I update my name or address on my notary commission?

A: If you need to update your name or address, follow the appropriate steps below:

  • Name Change: Submit a name change form under oath to the State Treasurer before notarizing with the new name. Obtain a new seal.
  • Address Change: Update via DORES online portal. Non-residents must notify of residence/employment address changes.

Q: Do I need to do anything differently if I’m an attorney who is a notary?

A: Attorneys have a streamlined application (no course, exam, legislator endorsement). They may use client/business records instead of a separate notary journal if acts are documented there. Other notary laws apply.

Q: Can I notarize documents in other states or for people from other states?

A: Your NJ commission is valid only when you are physically within New Jersey. You can notarize for out-of-state signers if they appear before you in NJ (or via RON if you are in NJ).

Q: Can a New Jersey notary notarize a will or real estate deed?

A: Yes for real estate deeds (acknowledgments). For wills, notaries often notarize self-proving affidavits for witnesses. RON for wills/codicils is not permitted. Do not provide legal advice.

Q: What are some things notaries are not allowed to do in New Jersey?

A: Give legal advice (if not an attorney), notarize if you have a conflict of interest, improperly certify copies of vital/public records, exceed fee limits, or use a facsimile signature stamp.

Q: Where can I get more help or information about being a notary in NJ?

A: Contact the NJ Division of Revenue, Notary Public Unit (609-292-0642) or consult the official Notary Public Manual on the NJ Treasury website.

Always refer to official NJ resources for the most current and detailed information.

Back to News