What You Need to Do to Become a New Jersey Notary

To become a notary public in New Jersey, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and a New Jersey resident. You then complete a notary education course, pass a state exam, and submit your commission form to the New Jersey Secretary of State along with a fee. The entire process typically takes four to eight weeks from start to finish.

New Jersey does not require you to work for a specific employer or business to become a notary — you can commission yourself as an independent notary. However, many people pursue notary status through their employer, bank, or law office, which may cover some or all of the costs.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and a New Jersey resident to commission as a notary.
  • New Jersey requires you to complete a notary education course and pass a written exam before you can submit your commission process.
  • The commission process goes to the New Jersey Secretary of State and costs $125 for a six-year term.
  • Your notary commission lasts six years and can be renewed by submitting a renewal process and fee before your term expires.
  • You are responsible for obtaining your own notary seal and journal, which are not provided by the state.

Meet the Basic Requirements

New Jersey has straightforward baseline requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and a resident of New Jersey. The state does not require you to be employed, to have a specific job title, or to work in any particular field — you can be a notary on your own terms.

You cannot become a notary if you have been convicted of a felony or certain crimes of dishonesty. If you have questions about your criminal history and whether it disqualifies you, contact the New Jersey Secretary of State's office directly before you pay for a course or exam.

Complete a Notary Education Course

New Jersey requires all notary applicants to complete an approved notary education course before taking the state exam. These courses cover New Jersey notary law, your duties and responsibilities, common notarization scenarios, and what you can and cannot do as a notary. Courses are offered online and in person by private vendors approved by the Secretary of State.

Most courses take between four and eight hours to complete and cost between $20 and $75. When you finish the course, you receive a certificate of completion — keep this document, because you will need to submit it with your commission process. The course itself does not commission you; it only prepares you for the exam.

Pass the New Jersey Notary Exam

After completing your education course, you take a written exam administered by the vendor who provided your course or by an approved testing center. The exam covers New Jersey notary law, your powers and limitations, proper notarization procedures, and ethical responsibilities. You typically have 90 minutes to complete the exam, and most people need to score 70 percent or higher to pass.

If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam — most vendors allow you to schedule a second test within a few weeks. When you pass, you receive a passing score report or certificate. Save this document along with your course completion certificate, because both go into your commission process packet.

Submit Your Commission process to the Secretary of State

Once you have passed the exam, you submit your commission process directly to the New Jersey Secretary of State. The process form is available on the Secretary of State website and asks for your personal information, contact details, and proof that you completed your course and passed your exam. You will attach your course completion certificate and exam passing score to the process.

The commission fee is $125 for a six-year term. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card, depending on the submission method. Mail your completed process, supporting documents, and fee to the address listed on the Secretary of State website. Processing typically takes four to eight weeks, and you will receive your official commission certificate by mail when approved.

Obtain Your Notary Seal and Journal

New Jersey requires every notary to have an official notary seal and a notary journal. The state does not provide these — you must purchase them yourself from an approved vendor. Your seal is a rubber stamp or embosser that prints your name, the words "Notary Public," your commission number, and your commission expiration date. Your journal is a bound book where you record details of every notarization you perform.

You cannot begin notarizing documents until you have both your seal and your journal in hand. Seals and journals are inexpensive — typically $15 to $40 combined — and are available from office supply stores, online retailers, and notary-specific vendors. Make sure your seal includes your commission number and expiration date, which you will receive on your official commission certificate.

Renew Your Commission Before It Expires

Your New Jersey notary commission lasts six years from the date it is issued. About 60 days before your expiration date, you should begin the renewal process. Renewal requires you to submit a renewal process, pay a $125 renewal fee, and in some cases complete a refresher education course — check the Secretary of State website for current renewal requirements, as these can change.

If your commission expires before you renew, you cannot notarize documents until your renewal is approved. Renewal processing takes several weeks, so do not wait until the last moment. If you miss the renewal important date, you may have to reapply as a new notary rather than straightforward renewing, which involves repeating the full course and exam process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to work for a company or bank to become a notary in New Jersey?

No. You can become a notary independently without being employed by any organization. Many notaries work for banks, law offices, or real estate companies, but this is not required. You can commission yourself and offer notary services on your own schedule.

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

The total cost is typically $50 to $150. This includes the education course ($20 to $75), the exam fee (usually included in the course cost or $10 to $30 separately), the commission fee ($125), and your seal and journal ($15 to $40). Some employers cover these costs for their employees.

Can I notarize documents for family members or close friends?

New Jersey law does not prohibit notarizing for family members, but it is considered a conflict of interest in many situations. Best practice is to decline notarizing for people with whom you have a personal or financial relationship. Some employers and organizations have stricter policies that forbid it entirely.

What happens if I move out of New Jersey after I become a notary?

Your New Jersey notary commission becomes invalid if you move out of state. You cannot notarize documents as a New Jersey notary while living elsewhere. If you relocate, you would need to commission as a notary in your new state instead.

How long does it take to receive my commission certificate after I explore?

Processing typically takes four to eight weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your complete process. You cannot notarize documents until you receive your official commission certificate in the mail. If you need your commission faster, contact the Secretary of State's office to ask about expedited processing options.