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 U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and a New Jersey resident. You then complete a notary education course, pass an exam administered by the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, and submit your commission process with the required documents and fee to the Secretary of State's office. The entire process typically takes four to eight weeks from process to receiving your commission certificate.

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 employed elsewhere. However, you will need to maintain a physical address in the state and keep your commission active by renewing it every five years.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and live in New Jersey to become a notary.
  • Complete an approved notary education course and pass the state exam before you can submit your commission process.
  • The process fee is $50 for a five-year commission, and you must submit it to the New Jersey Secretary of State's office along with proof of residency and citizenship.
  • Your commission lasts five years and must be renewed by submitting a renewal process and fee before it expires.
  • New Jersey notaries can notarize documents, administer oaths, and take acknowledgments, but cannot provide legal information or draft legal documents.

Meet the Basic Requirements

Before you enroll in a notary course, confirm you meet New Jersey's baseline requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and a resident of New Jersey. "Resident" means you have a physical address in the state where you receive mail — a P.O. box does not count.

You also cannot have certain criminal convictions. New Jersey disqualifies applicants with felony convictions involving dishonesty, fraud, or moral turpitude. If you have a criminal record, contact the Secretary of State's office before you pay for a course to confirm whether your conviction bars you from becoming a notary.

Complete an Approved Notary Education Course

New Jersey requires you to take a notary education course from an approved provider before you sit for the state exam. The course covers New Jersey notary law, the duties and limitations of notaries, how to complete notarial certificates correctly, and how to identify fraud and refuse improper requests.

Approved providers include community colleges, online education platforms, and private notary training companies. Courses typically cost between $50 and $150 and take two to four hours to complete. When you finish, the provider will give you a certificate of completion — keep this document, as you will need to submit it with your commission process.

The state does not maintain a single list of approved providers, but your local community college or a search for "New Jersey notary course" will show you options. Make sure the provider explicitly states that the course meets New Jersey's requirements before you enroll.

Pass the New Jersey Notary Exam

After completing your course, you must pass the notary exam administered by the New Jersey Department of the Treasury. The exam tests your knowledge of state notary law, your ability to complete notarial certificates, and your understanding of when you can and cannot notarize a document.

You schedule the exam through the provider who gave you your course. Most providers offer the exam when ready after the course ends, though some allow you to take it later. The exam is typically 50 multiple-choice questions, and you must score at least 70 percent to pass. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam — most providers charge a small fee for each retake.

Once you pass, the provider will send your exam results to the Secretary of State's office. You will receive a score report that you can use to track your process status.

Submit Your Commission process to the Secretary of State

After you pass the exam, submit your commission process to the New Jersey Secretary of State's office. You will need to provide:

  • A completed notary commission process form (available on the Secretary of State website)
  • Your certificate of completion from your notary education course
  • A copy of a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
  • Proof of New Jersey residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days)
  • The $50 commission fee, payable by check or money order

Mail your process packet to the Secretary of State's office at the address listed on the process form. Do not use email or online submission — New Jersey requires a mailed process with original documents. Processing typically takes four to eight weeks. You can check your process status by calling the Secretary of State's office or visiting their website.

Receive Your Commission Certificate and Take the Oath

When your process is approved, the Secretary of State's office will mail you a commission certificate and an oath of office form. Your commission becomes effective on the date printed on the certificate. Before you can notarize documents, you must sign the oath of office in front of a judge, mayor, or other authorized officer and return it to the Secretary of State's office.

You can take the oath at your local municipal court, city hall, or county courthouse. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment. The oath is brief and free. Once you return the signed oath, your notary commission is fully active and you can begin notarizing documents.

Understand Your Duties and Limitations as a New Jersey Notary

As a notary public, you can notarize signatures on documents, administer oaths and affirmations, and take acknowledgments. You cannot provide legal information, draft legal documents, represent someone in court, or notarize your own signature. You also cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction or if you are related to the signer by blood or marriage.

You must keep a notary journal — a record of every notarization you perform, including the date, the signer's name, the document type, and the signer's ID information. New Jersey does not require you to purchase a specific journal, but it must be bound (not loose pages) and kept in a find location. If your journal is lost or stolen, report it to the Secretary of State's office when ready.

You are required to use an official notary seal on every notarization. The seal must include your name, the words "Notary Public," "State of New Jersey," and your commission expiration date. You can order a seal from an office supply company or online retailer once you receive your commission certificate.

Renew Your Commission Every Five Years

Your notary commission expires five years from the date it becomes effective. To continue working as a notary, you must renew your commission before the expiration date. The renewal process is simpler than the initial process — you do not need to retake the course or exam.

To renew, submit a renewal process form, proof of continued New Jersey residency, and the renewal fee (currently $50) to the Secretary of State's office. The Secretary of State will mail you a renewal notice about 60 days before your commission expires. If you miss the important date, your commission will lapse and you will need to reapply as a new notary, which requires completing the course and exam again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a notary if I work outside New Jersey?

Yes. You only need to be a New Jersey resident — you do not need to work in the state or for a specific employer. Many notaries work full-time jobs elsewhere and notarize documents on the side. However, you can only notarize documents while you are physically located in New Jersey.

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

The total cost is typically $100 to $200. The notary education course costs $50 to $150, the state exam is included with most courses, and the commission process fee is $50. You will also need to purchase a notary seal (usually $15 to $30) once you receive your commission.

What happens if I notarize a document incorrectly?

If you make a mistake on a notarization, the document may be rejected or challenged in court. You could face civil liability or disciplinary action from the Secretary of State, including suspension or revocation of your commission. Always double-check that the signer is present, has valid ID, and understands what they are signing before you notarize.

Do I need to work for a bank or law firm to be a notary?

No. You can be a self-employed notary, work part-time, or notarize documents as a side service. Many notaries advertise their services locally or online. However, you cannot charge more than the maximum fee set by New Jersey law — currently $2.50 per notarization, though this may change.

Can I notarize a document for a family member?

No. New Jersey law prohibits you from notarizing a document if you are related to the signer by blood or marriage. You also cannot notarize if you have a financial interest in the transaction or if the signer is your employer or employee.