Quick Facts
Commission Term
7 years
Bond
Not required
Application Fee
$60
Issuing Authority
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Journal
Required
Fee Caps
Yes
What makes Massachusetts distinctive
- Massachusetts permits remote online notarization (RON), joining 29 other states that allow notarization over live video.
- Massachusetts's $60 application fee is well above the national median of $30.
- Massachusetts's 7-year commission term is longer than the national median of 4 years, meaning fewer renewals over a notary's career.
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free TierAdvanced Services
Pro TierIdentity 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
Visit official websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
MGL Chapter 222
Justices of the Peace, Notaries Public and Commissioners
Primary statutory authority for MA notaries
MGL Ch. 222 § 1
Definitions
Defines key terms: personal knowledge, credible witness, satisfactory evidence, copy certification, oath, affirmation, etc.
MGL Ch. 222 § 8
Powers of Notaries Public
Defines scope of authority: oaths, affirmations, acknowledgments, depositions, witnessing safe deposit box openings, issuing summonses
MGL Ch. 222 § 15
Certificate Forms
Statutory short forms for acknowledgments and jurats
MGL Ch. 222 § 16
Prohibited Acts
Lists notarial acts that should not be performed: no personal presence, no identity verification, compelling doubt, not acting of free will, notary as party, family members
MGL Ch. 222 §§ 23-33
Remote Online Notarization
Authorization for RON (authorized but not yet operational - awaiting regulations)
MGL Ch. 262 § 41
Fees - Noting Dishonored Instruments
Fee cap: $1.25 for noting dishonored instruments
MGL Ch. 207 § 38
Marriage Solemnization
Lists authorized marriage officiants (notaries NOT included)
St. 2023, c. 2
Remote Online Notarization Act
Enacted June 27, 2023 / effective January 1, 2024 - authorizes RON but not yet operational (awaiting Secretary of State regulations)
Executive Order No. 455
Revised Standards of Conduct for Notaries Public
Governor's executive order setting standards of conduct
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in Massachusetts?
A Massachusetts notary public commission is valid for 7 years from the date of issue. Renewal requires reapplying through the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth - Public Records Division before the term expires.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts charges $60 as the application fee to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth - Public Records Division. Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does Massachusetts require a notary bond?
No. Massachusetts does not require a surety bond as part of the notary commission. Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is optional and may still be advisable for protection against personal liability.
Is a notary journal required in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts requires a notary journal for every official act. The journal is a permanent record subject to inspection by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth - Public Records Division and must be retained for the period specified in state law.
Is a notary seal or stamp required in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts notaries must affix an official seal or stamp to every notarial act they perform. The seal must be obtained from an authorized vendor and meet the format requirements set by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth - Public Records Division.
Can Massachusetts notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Massachusetts authorizes remote online notarization (RON), allowing a notary to notarize documents over live video with an out-of-state signer. RON typically requires additional registration, an approved technology platform, and identity-proofing via knowledge-based authentication or credential analysis.
What identity verification methods can Massachusetts notaries use?
Massachusetts notaries may verify a signer's identity using the following methods: Personal Knowledge, Government-Issued ID, and Credible Witness. Each method has its own evidentiary weight — government-issued photo ID is the most common.
Does Massachusetts cap notary fees?
Yes. Massachusetts sets statutory maximum fees per notarial act. Charging more than the cap is a violation and may result in commission discipline. Only 'noting' a dishonored negotiable instrument is capped at $1.25 per MGL Ch. 262 § 41. All other notarial acts (acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, copy certifications, etc.) have no statutory fee cap - notaries may charge reasonable fees
Who regulates notaries in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts notaries are commissioned and regulated by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth - Public Records Division. Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
What notarial acts can Massachusetts notaries perform?
Massachusetts notaries are authorized to perform 11 of the 14 canonical notarial acts tracked in this guide, including Acknowledgment, Jurat, Oath / Affirmation, and Affidavit. See the Authorized Services section above for the full list.
Ready to Become a Notary in Massachusetts?
Start your application through the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth - Public Records Division.
Related Articles
Remote Online Notarization (RON): State Guide 2026
State-by-state breakdown of which jurisdictions permit RON, the technology requirements, and the additional registration steps for notaries who want to offer it.
Notary Fees by State Guide
Comprehensive comparison of statutory fee caps across all 50 states, including travel surcharges, electronic notarization premiums, and pro-bono guidance.
Notary Journal Requirements by State
When a journal is legally required versus advisory, what must be recorded, retention periods, and how to handle subpoenas of journal entries.
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