Quick Facts
Commission Term
7 years
Bond
Not required
Application Fee
$60
Issuing Authority
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Journal
Required
Fee Caps
Yes
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free Tier Acknowledgment
Authorized
Jurat
Authorized
Oath / Affirmation
Authorized
Affidavit
Authorized
Deposition
Authorized
Protest
Authorized
Copy Certification
Authorized
Bills in Chancery
— Not authorized
Witnessing
Authorized
Safe Deposit Box
Authorized
Advanced Services
Pro Tier Remote Online Notarization
Authorized
Marriage Solemnization
— Not authorized
eNotarization
— Not authorized
Electronic Copy Cert.
Authorized
Identity Verification Methods
- Personal Knowledge
- Government-Issued ID
- Credible Witness
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
RON Available
Massachusetts authorizes remote online notarization. Additional requirements may apply.
Key Considerations
- RON law enacted (St. 2023, c. 2) but NOT YET OPERATIONAL - awaiting Secretary of State regulations as of May 2025
- No surety bond required (unique feature) but E&O insurance strongly recommended
- 7-year commission term (longer than many states' 4-5 year terms)
- Journal MANDATORY for all notarial acts (stricter than many states where journal is optional)
- Journal retention: 7 years after commission expires/resigned/revoked
Regulatory Authority
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth - Public Records Division
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