How to become a notary in New Jersey
Eligibility, a 6-hour course, an exam, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES), Notary Public Unit.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Legal resident of New Jersey, or a non-resident who keeps or is regularly employed in an office in New Jersey, or works remotely (home office or co-working space) for a business domiciled or primarily based in New Jersey; Must not be disqualified under the 2021 notary law (e.g. certain criminal convictions, including crimes of the second degree or above, or prior revocation); application must be endorsed by a New Jersey state legislator (online applications are routed to a legislator automatically).
- Take the required notary course — 6 hours — Non-attorneys applying for a first commission must complete the State Treasurer's 6-hour course of study (P.L. 2021, c. 179, in force since July 2022). In practice the course is free and self-paced: read the NJ Notary Public Manual, watch the full series of DORES training videos, and attest that you did so. Attorneys are exempt.
- Pass the notary exam — Online open-book state exam on the njportal.com Notary Exam site, taken before the commission application; attorneys exempt. The law allows a fee of up to $15 per online test; the actual fee and number of attempts are not published on the DORES pages.
- Complete the background check — Criminal history disclosure on the application (DORES pages do not mention fingerprints). Applicants with convictions may need to upload certified judgments of conviction and proof of a completed rehabilitation program.
- Apply to the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES), Notary Public Unit — Pay the $25 state fee. Other fees: County clerk fee for administering and recording the oath: $15 at county clerks that publish it (Sussex, Passaic, Bergen, Atlantic); exam fee up to $15 allowed by law; $5 online convenience fee (2015 DORES FAQ, may be outdated).
- Take the oath and file it — Within 3 months of receiving the commission, take and sign the oath before the clerk of your county of residence (non-residents: the county where their NJ office or employer is), who files it and sends the endorsed certificate to the State Treasurer within 10 days. Miss the deadline and the commission is revoked; you must reapply and pay again.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: every notarial act must be stamped. The stamp shows your name, 'Notary Public, State of New Jersey' and your commission expiration date; it belongs to you, not your employer. Journal: Required (since P.L. 2021, c. 179): one bound paper or tamper-evident electronic journal of all notarial acts, including fees charged; keep 10 years after the last entry. Attorneys may use their client records instead.
Notary packages & supplies
- National Notary Association — state packages: bond, seal, journal and any required training
- Notaries.com — lower-cost state packages with bond, stamp and supplies
Bond, stamp and journal in one order; check that the package matches New Jersey's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
New Jersey notary requirements
| Commissioned by | New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES), Notary Public Unit |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Legal resident of New Jersey, or a non-resident who keeps or is regularly employed in an office in New Jersey, or works remotely (home office or co-working space) for a business domiciled or primarily based in New Jersey |
| Course | Required — 6 hours Non-attorneys applying for a first commission must complete the State Treasurer's 6-hour course of study (P.L. 2021, c. 179, in force since July 2022). In practice the course is free and self-paced: read the NJ Notary Public Manual, watch the full series of DORES training videos, and attest that you did so. Attorneys are exempt. |
| Exam | Required Online open-book state exam on the njportal.com Notary Exam site, taken before the commission application; attorneys exempt. The law allows a fee of up to $15 per online test; the actual fee and number of attempts are not published on the DORES pages. |
| State fee | $25 |
| Other fees | County clerk fee for administering and recording the oath: $15 at county clerks that publish it (Sussex, Passaic, Bergen, Atlantic); exam fee up to $15 allowed by law; $5 online convenience fee (2015 DORES FAQ, may be outdated) |
| Surety bond | None No surety bond required |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | Criminal history disclosure on the application (DORES pages do not mention fingerprints). Applicants with convictions may need to upload certified judgments of conviction and proof of a completed rehabilitation program. |
| Term | 5 years |
| Oath / filing | Within 3 months of receiving the commission, take and sign the oath before the clerk of your county of residence (non-residents: the county where their NJ office or employer is), who files it and sends the endorsed certificate to the State Treasurer within 10 days. Miss the deadline and the commission is revoked; you must reapply and pay again. |
| Seal | Required: every notarial act must be stamped. The stamp shows your name, 'Notary Public, State of New Jersey' and your commission expiration date; it belongs to you, not your employer |
| Journal | Required (since P.L. 2021, c. 179): one bound paper or tamper-evident electronic journal of all notarial acts, including fees charged; keep 10 years after the last entry. Attorneys may use their client records instead |
| Max fee per notarization | $2.50 per act (oath, affidavit, proof of deed, acknowledgment); $15 per real-estate transfer transaction for grantors; $25 per real-estate financing transaction for mortgagors |
| Remote online notary | Allowed Any NJ notary may perform remote (audio-video) and electronic notarizations after notifying the State Treasurer via the 'Remote/Electronic Notarization' filing on njportal.com and naming the technology. Requires identity proofing and credential analysis; recordings kept 10 years. No separate commission. |
| Renewal | Renew online through the DORES notary portal with legislator endorsement and the $25 fee, then take the oath again at the county clerk within 3 months. No exam for active notaries (or within 30 days after expiration; later than that you apply as new). The statute and the DORES education page also call for a 3-hour continuing education course at renewal, but the portal says only the renewal application is needed. DORES mails a renewal reminder. |
The 2021 notary reform (P.L. 2021, c. 179) took effect Oct 21-22, 2021: it requires online-only applications, ID standards, journals and stamps, and allows remote and electronic notarization; the education and exam rules followed in July 2022. DORES issued about 10,600 new commissions in FY2025 and plans to revise the manual and exam. A non-attorney notary may not advertise as a lawyer, and any ad must carry the 'I am not an attorney licensed to practice law...' disclaimer.
Sources: DORES Notary Public Application portal · New Jersey Notary Public Exam portal · New Jersey Notary Public Manual · DORES - New Notary Educational and Testing Requirements · DORES - New Notary Public Provisions (P.L. 2021, c. 179). Checked 2026-10.
Earn more as a loan signing agent
Many notaries add mortgage closings: title and escrow companies pay signing agents per loan package. It needs a notary commission plus signing-agent training and a background screening.
- Loan Signing System — loan signing agent training to earn from mortgage closings ($347)
- NNA Notary Signing Agent certification — the certification and background screening title companies ask for
- Notaries.com signing agent course — budget signing agent course ($109)
Some links may be affiliate links.
Get a New Jersey notary checklist and renewal reminder
A printable checklist of every step and an email before your commission expires. Free.
Notary course and exam rules across the US
Other New Jersey licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All New Jersey insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in New Jersey?
The state fee is $25, plus County clerk fee for administering and recording the oath: $15 at county clerks that publish it (Sussex, Passaic, Bergen, Atlantic); exam fee up to $15 allowed by law; $5 online convenience fee (2015 DORES FAQ, may be outdated). Add the course, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in New Jersey?
Usually a few weeks from application to commission, plus the time for the course and exam.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires a 6-hour course, an exam.
How much can a notary charge in New Jersey?
$2.50 per act (oath, affidavit, proof of deed, acknowledgment); $15 per real-estate transfer transaction for grantors; $25 per real-estate financing transaction for mortgagors.
Can I be an online notary in New Jersey?
Yes. Any NJ notary may perform remote (audio-video) and electronic notarizations after notifying the State Treasurer via the 'Remote/Electronic Notarization' filing on njportal.com and naming the technology. Requires identity proofing and credential analysis; recordings kept 10 years. No separate commission.