Quick Facts
Commission Term
5 years
Bond
Not required
Application Fee
$25
Issuing Authority
State Treasurer - Department of Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES)
Journal
Required
Fee Caps
Yes
What makes New Jersey distinctive
- New Jersey does not permit remote online notarization (RON), unlike the majority of states that have authorized it.
- New Jersey's 5-year commission term is longer than the national median of 4 years, meaning fewer renewals over a notary's career.
- New Jersey does not require a notary bond, unlike the 28 states that do.
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free TierAdvanced Services
Pro TierIdentity Verification Methods
- Personal Knowledge
- Government-Issued ID
- Credible Witness
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
RON Not Available
New Jersey does not currently authorize remote online notarization.
Key Considerations
- State Legislator Endorsement - Unusual requirement for notary applications to be endorsed by state legislator (Senator or Assembly member)
- Attorney Inherent Notary Powers - Licensed attorneys have automatic notary authority without separate commission (though most get commission anyway)
- Single Journal Requirement - Must maintain only ONE journal at a time for both paper and electronic notarizations
- 3-Year Expired ID Rule - More generous than many states; accepts IDs expired up to 3 years
- No Bond Requirement - Unlike many states, NJ does not require surety bond
Regulatory Authority
New Jersey Department of the Treasury - Notary Division
Visit official websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
N.J. Stat. § 52:7-10 et seq.
New Jersey Law on Notarial Acts (formerly Notaries Public Act of 1979)
N.J. Stat. § 52:7-10.1
Definitions
N.J. Stat. § 52:7-10.4
Notarial acts
N.J. Stat. § 52:7-10.6
Acknowledgment requirements
N.J. Stat. § 52:7-10.8
Requirements for certain notarial acts (identity verification)
N.J. Stat. § 52:7-10.10
Notarial act performed by remotely located individual (RON)
N.J. Stat. § 52:7-10.15
Notification regarding performance of notarial act on electronic record
N.J. Stat. § 52:7-10.18
Journal requirements
N.J. Stat. § 52:7-10.19
Official stamp requirements
N.J. Stat. § 52:7-10.22
Fees
N.J. Stat. § 52:7-19
Certificate of notarial act (short forms)
N.J. Stat. § 46:14-6.1
Officers authorized to take acknowledgments
P.L. 2021, c.179 (Assembly Bill 4250)
Comprehensive modernization - permanent RON/IPEN authorization
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in New Jersey?
A New Jersey notary public commission is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Renewal requires reapplying through the New Jersey Department of the Treasury - Notary Division before the term expires.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in New Jersey?
New Jersey charges $25 as the application fee to the New Jersey Department of the Treasury - Notary Division. Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does New Jersey require a notary bond?
No. New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey requires a notary journal for every official act. The journal is a permanent record subject to inspection by the New Jersey Department of the Treasury - Notary Division and must be retained for the period specified in state law.
Is a notary seal or stamp required in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey 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 New Jersey Department of the Treasury - Notary Division.
Can New Jersey notaries perform remote online notarizations?
No. New Jersey does not currently authorize remote online notarization. In-person notarization remains the only recognized method, though state law in this area changes rapidly — verify with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury - Notary Division before declining a remote request.
What identity verification methods can New Jersey notaries use?
New Jersey 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 New Jersey cap notary fees?
Yes. New Jersey sets statutory maximum fees per notarial act. Charging more than the cap is a violation and may result in commission discipline. $2.50 per signature/act maximum for standard notarial acts; $15 for oaths, affirmations, affidavits, proofs, acknowledgments related to transfers of real estate; $25 per transaction (not per document) for financing of real estate (oaths/affirmations, affidavits, acknowledgments of mortgagors); travel fees NOT prohibited - may set own reasonable travel fees (IRS business mileage rate recommended), must be disclosed and agreed in advance, billed separately from notarization fees
Who regulates notaries in New Jersey?
New Jersey notaries are commissioned and regulated by the New Jersey Department of the Treasury - Notary Division. Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
Does New Jersey authorize in-person electronic notarization (eNotarization)?
Yes. New Jersey authorizes in-person electronic notarization, where the signer is physically present but the document and signature are electronic. This is distinct from remote online notarization (RON), which uses live video for an out-of-state signer.
What notarial acts can New Jersey notaries perform?
New Jersey notaries are authorized to perform 12 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 New Jersey?
Start your application through the New Jersey Department of the Treasury - Notary Division.
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