Notary Public
New Jersey
Notary Public Commission Requirements
Governing Authority
New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
Official website →5 years
Commission Term
before renewal
Yes
Education Required
online allowed
Yes
Exam Required
Passing score required (specific percentage not publicly specified)
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
Application Process
VerifiedMeet all eligibility requirements (age, residency, no disqualifying criminal convictions)
Review the New Jersey Notary Public Manual available on the state website
Complete and pass the online notary exam through the DORES portal (attorneys exempt)
Obtain endorsement from a New Jersey State Legislator (Senator or General Assembly member)
Complete the online application at njportal.com and pay the $30 application fee
Receive commission certificates from the State Treasurer
Take the oath of office at your county clerk's office and pay the oath filing fee ($17.50)
Purchase an official notary seal and journal
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years or older years old
Residency
Must be a resident of New Jersey, or a resident of a bordering state regularly employed in New Jersey, or a remote employee of an NJ-based business with its domicile or primary place of business in NJ
Citizenship
U.S. citizenship is not required; must be a legal resident
Background Check
Applicants cannot have been convicted of a crime under the laws of any state or of the United States for an offense involving dishonesty, or a crime of the first or second degree. This is verified through the application process via self-disclosure.
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
RequiredNew applicants (non-attorneys) must review the New Jersey Notary Public Manual. As of July 22, 2022, new applicants must complete a state-approved course. Attorneys admitted to the NJ bar are exempt from the education requirement.
Online courses: Allowed
Exam
RequiredNew applicants must pass an online exam administered through the NJ DORES portal (njportal.com). The exam is open-book and covers content from the New Jersey Notary Public Manual. Attorneys admitted to the NJ bar are exempt. Renewal applicants are NOT required to take the exam.
Passing score: Passing score required (specific percentage not publicly specified)
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Not RequiredNew Jersey does not require notaries to obtain a surety bond.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredErrors and omissions insurance is not required but is recommended.
Seal / Stamp
Requiredeither
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $25 (paper) or $30 (online, includes convenience fee) |
Bond Premium | N/A - bond not required |
Stamp / Seal | $20-$40 |
Education Course | N/A |
Total Estimated Cost | $100-$135 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
5 years
Renewal Process
Renewal applicants are NOT required to take the Notary Public Exam. Submit a renewal application online through the NJ Notary Public Application portal (njportal.com) before the commission expires. The renewal fee is the same as the application fee ($25 paper, $30 online).
Renewal Fee
$25 (paper) or $30 (online)
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Remote online notarization has been legal in New Jersey since October 22, 2021 under Assembly Bill 4250. Notaries must be physically located in New Jersey during the RON, but the signer can be anywhere. The notary must use a state-approved remote notarization platform providing secure audio-visual communication, identity verification (at least two forms of identity proofing such as credential analysis, knowledge-based authentication, or biometric verification), and record-keeping.
Additional Requirements
Before performing their first RON transaction, the notary must notify the State Treasurer electronically through the NJ Notary Public Application portal of their intent and the RON technology platform they will use. Paper documents can also be remotely notarized: the signer signs on camera, signs a declaration, and mails the original document within 3 days.
Important Notes
What Makes New Jersey Unique
New Jersey requires a State Legislator endorsement for non-attorney applicants.
New Jersey requires a State Legislator endorsement for non-attorney applicants.
A bound journal or electronic tamper-evident record documenting all notarial acts is mandatory.
Attorneys admitted to the NJ bar are exempt from the education requirement and exam.
The State Treasurer appoints notaries in New Jersey, unlike most states where the Secretary of State or Governor does.
Sources
Find Notary Education Courses in New Jersey
New Jersey requires notary education. Complete your training through an approved provider.
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