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 permits remote online notarization (RON), joining 47 other states that allow notarization over live video.
- 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)
Authorized
New Jersey authorizes remote online notarization. Additional requirements may apply.
New Jersey notaries are commissioned by the State Treasurer under N.J.S.A. §§ 52:7-10 through 52:7-21, with a 5-year commission term and no surety bond. The state has a maximum fee of $2.5 per notarial act for standard documents, though fees for certain real-estate transactions may be subject to separate regulation. New Jersey authorizes remote online notarization under N.J.S.A. § 52:7-25 et seq., with a ten-year session recording retention requirement. See New Jersey notary compliance in Notary Guide for the term details, the RON authorization, and the current fee guidance.
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?
Yes. New Jersey 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 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.
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.
Get the Full New Jersey Compliance Guide
Step-by-step notarization guides with legal citations, fee schedules, and certificate templates.
Free during beta. No credit card required.