What Connecticut requires to become a notary public

Connecticut requires you to 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, prior experience, or a background check. The state does require you to pass a written test and pay a fee to the Secretary of the State's office.

The process takes roughly four to six weeks from the time you submit your paperwork to the time you receive your commission. Your commission lasts four years, after which you can renew it by paying another fee and passing the test again.

Key Takeaways

  • Connecticut notaries must be at least 18, a state resident, and able to read and write English, but do not need prior experience or a diploma.
  • You must pass a written test administered by the Secretary of the State's office and pay the process fee before your commission is issued.
  • The process process requires you to submit a completed form, your test results, and payment to the Secretary of the State's office by mail.
  • Your notary commission lasts four years and can be renewed by passing the test again and paying the renewal fee.
  • Once commissioned, you can charge up to $5 per signature for notarization services, though you cannot notarize documents for yourself or when ready family members.

How to register and take the notary test

Start by obtaining the process form from the Connecticut Secretary of the State's website or by calling their office at 860-509-6002. The form is called the "process for Notary Public Commission" and is available as a PDF read. You will need to fill in your name, address, date of birth, and contact information.

Next, you must take the notary test. Connecticut does not require you to take the test at a specific location or on a specific date — you can purchase a study guide from the Secretary of the State's office and take a proctored test through an approved testing vendor. The test covers Connecticut notary law, your duties and responsibilities, and common notarization scenarios. You must score at least 70 percent to pass.

Once you pass the test, you will receive a score report. Keep this report — you will need to submit it with your process. Mail your completed process form, test score report, and the process fee (currently $50 for a new commission) to the Connecticut Secretary of the State's office. The address is on the process form.

What to expect during the approval process

After you mail in your process, the Secretary of the State's office will review your paperwork for completeness. If anything is missing or incorrect, they will contact you by mail and ask you to resubmit. This can add one to two weeks to the timeline.

Once your process is approved, the office will issue your notary commission and mail it to you. The commission is a formal document that you will need to keep with you when you perform notarizations. You do not need to take an oath of office in front of a judge or official — the commission itself is your authorization to act as a notary.

Fees and what you can charge for notarizations

The process fee for a new notary commission in Connecticut is $50. When your four-year commission expires, renewal costs $50 as well. Some people choose to renew early — Connecticut allows you to renew up to six months before your commission expires, and the new four-year term begins on your current expiration date rather than the renewal date.

Once you are commissioned, you can charge up to $5 per signature for notarizing documents. This means if a document has three signatures that need notarizing, you can charge $15 total. You cannot charge a fee for administering an oath or affirmation, only for the notarization itself. You also cannot notarize documents for yourself, your spouse, or your when ready family members, even if you are a commissioned notary.

Restrictions on what you can notarize

As a Connecticut notary, you can notarize signatures on most documents — affidavits, powers of attorney, loan documents, and real estate papers are common examples. You cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction, if you are a party to the document, or if you are related to the signer.

You also cannot notarize a signature if you do not personally know the signer or if the signer cannot prove their identity. Connecticut law requires you to see a valid form of identification — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card — before you notarize. If someone asks you to notarize a signature without showing ID or without your witnessing the signature in person, you must refuse.

Renewing your notary commission

Your commission expires four years from the date it is issued. Connecticut sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before your expiration date. To renew, you must pass the notary test again and submit a renewal process with the $50 fee.

You can renew your commission up to six months before it expires. If you wait until after it expires, you will need to submit a new process rather than a renewal process, and the process will take longer. If your commission expires and you do not renew it, you can no longer perform notarizations, and doing so is illegal.

Where to find study materials and testing information

The Connecticut Secretary of the State's office sells a notary study guide that covers all the material on the test. You can order it through their website or by calling 860-509-6002. The guide costs around $15 to $20 and includes sample test questions and explanations of Connecticut notary law.

For the actual test, you will work with an approved testing vendor. The Secretary of the State's office maintains a list of vendors on their website. Some vendors offer online proctored tests, while others require you to test in person at their location. Test fees vary by vendor but typically range from $25 to $50. You schedule your test directly with the vendor, not through the state office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a Connecticut resident to become a notary public?

Yes, Connecticut requires you to be a state resident. You must list your Connecticut address on your process. If you move out of state, your commission becomes invalid, and you cannot perform notarizations.

Can I become a notary if I have a criminal record?

Connecticut does not require a background check to become a notary, so a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you. However, if you have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or fraud, you may be denied. Contact the Secretary of the State's office if you have questions about your specific situation.

What happens if I notarize a document incorrectly?

If you make a mistake on a notarization, you can be held liable for damages if someone is harmed as a result. This is why it is important to follow Connecticut law carefully — check ID, witness the signature in person, and refuse to notarize if something seems wrong. Many notaries carry errors and omissions insurance to protect themselves.

Can I notarize documents for my employer?

You can notarize documents for your employer if you do not have a financial interest in the transaction and the document does not involve you personally. For example, you could notarize a signature on a company affidavit if you are straightforward witnessing the signature and not a party to the document. When in doubt, ask the Secretary of the State's office.

How much does it cost to become a notary in Connecticut?

The process fee is $50, and the test fee varies by vendor but typically costs $25 to $50. The study guide costs around $15 to $20. Total out-of-pocket cost is usually between $90 and $120 to become a notary for the first time.