What You Need to Do to Become a Notary in New Jersey
To become a notary public in New Jersey, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the state, and able to read and write English. You do not need a high school diploma or prior experience. The process involves taking a state-approved course, passing an exam, paying a fee, and submitting your process to the New Jersey Secretary of State. The whole 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 be self-employed, retired, or work in any field. Once commissioned, you can notarize documents for the public and charge a fee for your services. Your commission lasts four years, after which you can renew it by repeating the course and exam.
Key Takeaways
- You must complete a state-approved notary course before you can take the exam; the Secretary of State maintains a list of approved providers.
- The exam costs money and covers New Jersey notary law, your duties, and common document types; you must score at least 70 percent to pass.
- After passing the exam, you submit your process to the Secretary of State along with the exam results and a filing fee of approximately $100 to $150.
- Your notary commission lasts four years and requires renewal through the same course-and-exam process if you want to continue.
- New Jersey notaries can charge up to $2.50 per signature for notarization services, though you can charge less if you choose.
Find and Complete an Approved Notary Course
The New Jersey Secretary of State does not run the notary course itself. Instead, the state approves private education providers to teach the material. You can find the current list of approved providers on the Secretary of State website under the Notary Public section. Approved providers include community colleges, online education companies, and professional organizations.
Most courses run between four and eight hours and cover New Jersey notary law, your legal responsibilities, common mistakes to avoid, and the types of documents you will encounter. Some providers offer in-person classes; others offer online courses you can complete at your own pace. The course fee varies by provider but typically ranges from $25 to $75. After you finish the course, the provider will give you a certificate of completion — you will need this to register for the exam.
Register for and Pass the Notary Exam
Once you have your course certificate, you register for the exam through the same provider or through the Secretary of State's testing vendor. The exam is proctored, meaning someone watches you take it to prevent cheating. Some providers offer in-person proctoring at their location; others use remote proctoring through your computer at home.
The exam has 50 multiple-choice questions and covers New Jersey notary law, your duties and limitations, how to handle different types of documents, and what to do if someone asks you to notarize something you should not. You have two hours to complete it. You must score at least 70 percent — that is 35 correct answers — to pass. If you fail, you can retake the exam; the retake fee is typically $25 to $50.
Submit Your process to the Secretary of State
After you pass the exam, the testing vendor sends your results to the Secretary of State automatically. You then submit your notary process directly to the Secretary of State's office. The process asks for your name, address, date of birth, and whether you have any criminal convictions. You must also provide your exam results and pay a filing fee, which is currently around $100 to $150 depending on the processing option you choose.
You can submit your process by mail or online through the Secretary of State website. If you submit by mail, processing takes four to six weeks. If you use the online system, you may receive your commission faster. The Secretary of State will send you a notary commission certificate by mail once your process is approved. This certificate is your proof that you are commissioned and can notarize documents.
Understand Your Duties and Limitations as a New Jersey Notary
Once commissioned, your job is to verify the identity of the person asking you to notarize a document, confirm that they are signing of their own free will, and then place your notary seal and signature on the document. You cannot notarize a document for yourself or for a close family member. You also cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction — for example, if you are a party to a contract or stand to gain money if the document is executed.
You must keep a journal of every notarization you perform, recording the date, the type of document, the signer's name and ID number, and the fee you charged. This journal is a legal record and can be subpoenaed in court. You are liable if you notarize a document improperly or fail to follow the law, so accuracy and caution are essential. New Jersey law allows you to charge up to $2.50 per signature, though you can charge less or nothing if you choose.
Renew Your Commission Every Four Years
Your notary commission expires four years from the date it is issued. To continue working as a notary, you must renew before the expiration date. Renewal requires you to take an approved course again and pass the exam again — there is no shortcut or waiver for returning notaries. You then submit a renewal process to the Secretary of State with your new exam results and pay the renewal fee.
The renewal process is identical to the initial process, so you should budget the same amount of time and money. If your commission expires and you do not renew, you cannot notarize documents until you reapply and are commissioned again. Some notaries renew a few months before expiration to avoid a gap in their commission.
Get Your Notary Seal and Journal
Once you receive your commission certificate, you need to purchase a notary seal and a notary journal. These are not provided by the state — you buy them from office supply stores or online retailers. The seal is a rubber stamp or embosser that prints your name, the words "Notary Public," and the state of New Jersey onto documents. The journal is a bound book where you record every notarization you perform.
The seal costs between $15 and $50 depending on the type and quality. The journal costs between $10 and $30. You must use the same seal and journal throughout your four-year commission. Some notaries keep multiple seals in case one breaks, but you should register each seal with the Secretary of State if required by your county. Check your county clerk's office for any local registration requirements.
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 as an independent person with no employer. Many notaries work for themselves and advertise their services to the public. Some employers, like banks and law firms, hire notaries or require employees to become notaries, but this is not required to get your commission.
Can I notarize documents for family members?
No. New Jersey law prohibits you from notarizing a document for yourself, your spouse, your parents, or your children. You also cannot notarize if you have a financial stake in the document — for example, if you are a party to a contract or will inherit money if the document is signed.
What happens if I fail the notary exam?
You can retake the exam. There is usually a retake fee of $25 to $50. You do not need to take the course again before retaking the exam — your course certificate remains valid. Most people pass on the second attempt if they study the material more carefully.
How much can I charge for notarizing a document?
New Jersey law allows you to charge up to $2.50 per signature. You can charge less or nothing if you choose. Some notaries charge a flat fee per document instead of per signature. You must disclose your fee before the person signs, and you cannot charge more than the legal maximum.
What do I do if someone asks me to notarize something I am unsure about?
You can say no. If you are uncertain whether a notarization is legal or appropriate, it is safer to decline. You are liable for improper notarizations, so when in doubt, contact the Secretary of State's office or a notary organization for guidance before proceeding.