For Notaries · Massachusetts
How to Become a Notary in Massachusetts
To become a notary in Massachusetts, be at least 18 and live or work in the state, then submit an application signed by four character references — one a Massachusetts attorney. No bond or exam is required. Pay the $60 fee after approval; the Governor's Council commissions you for seven years.
Last updated: July 9, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
Massachusetts stands out among states for how light its notary requirements are: there is no surety bond, no state exam, and no mandatory training course. Notaries here are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Governor's Council (the Executive Council), and the Secretary of the Commonwealth administers the oath of office and keeps the records. What makes the Massachusetts application distinctive is its character-reference rule — you must gather four references, and at least one must be a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing. Commissions run for seven years, one of the longest terms in the country, and the state fee is a flat $60 paid only after your appointment is approved.
Massachusetts Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | You must be at least 18 years old and either reside in Massachusetts or have a regular place of work or business in the state. Your application must be signed by four character references, at least one of whom must be a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing. You must disclose any criminal history on the application, have the completed form notarized, and be sworn in before your commission takes effect. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | Not required. Massachusetts is one of the states that does not mandate a surety bond for notaries public — a bond is not part of the appointment process at any point. Many notaries choose to carry optional errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance to protect themselves against claims, but it is not required by the state. |
| State filing fee | $60 commission fee (fixed by the state; paid to the Secretary of the Commonwealth after your application is approved). |
| Commission term | Seven years. A Massachusetts notary commission is valid for seven years from the date of appointment — among the longest commission terms in the nation. You must reapply before it expires to continue performing notarial acts. |
| Notary education | Not required. No state-approved training course or minimum course hours are mandated to become a Massachusetts notary public. |
| Exam | Not required. Massachusetts does not require new or renewing notaries to pass any exam. |
Massachusetts has enacted a permanent remote online notarization law, but RON is not yet operative: the Secretary of the Commonwealth states the required training and notification form 'aren't yet available, so notaries shouldn't use online remote platforms at this time.' — Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — Remote Online Notarization
How to Become a Notary in Massachusetts: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
Make sure you are at least 18 years old and either live in Massachusetts or have a regular place of work or business in the state. There is no exam and no required training course to complete before applying.
- 2
Gather your four character references
Massachusetts requires four references who sign your application, and at least one must be a member of the Massachusetts bar (an attorney) in good standing. This attorney-reference requirement is a distinctive feature of the state's process.
- 3
Complete, notarize, and submit your application
Fill out the notary public application, have your four references sign it, get the form notarized by an active notary, and attach a current resume. Mail the packet to the Governor's Council, Room 184, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133.
- 4
Get approved, pay the $60 fee, and take the oath
After the Governor's Council reviews and approves your application, you pay the $60 commission fee to the Secretary of the Commonwealth and are sworn in. No surety bond is required at any stage.
- 5
Get your seal and journal, then start notarizing
Once commissioned for seven years, obtain an official notarial seal or stamp and a record journal, which Massachusetts requires you to keep for every notarial act. You are then ready to notarize documents across the Commonwealth.
Remote Online Notarization in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has enacted a permanent remote online notarization law (amending M.G.L. Chapter 222), but RON is not yet operative. The Secretary of the Commonwealth has not finalized the implementing regulations, and the required training course and notification form are not yet available — so Massachusetts notaries cannot register for or perform remote online notarizations at this time.
Online / remote notary application fee: Not yet established (RON not operative).
The RON statute has been on the books since it was enacted, but performance is on hold pending the Secretary of the Commonwealth's rules. The office has stated the training and notification form 'aren't yet available, so notaries shouldn't use online remote platforms at this time.' Aspiring Massachusetts notaries should get commissioned traditionally now and be ready to register for RON once the state opens it.
See how RON is authorized in Massachusetts — and state by state →
Walk through the Massachusetts remote online notarization process →
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has not yet made remote online notarization operative for its notaries, so today the practical path is a traditional commission. Here's how the two compare for when RON goes live.
| Traditional (in-person) notary | Remote online notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|
| How the signer appears | In person, in the same room | Over a live, recorded audio-video call |
| Available in Massachusetts? | Yes | Not yet — authorized but not operative |
| What you need | Seal and journal | An approved RON platform, identity-proofing, and a digital certificate |
| Where the work comes from | Local, walk-in and mobile appointments | Nationwide — e.g. assigned online signings through USA Notary |
What Does It Cost to Become a Notary in Massachusetts?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State commission fee | $60 (fixed; paid after approval) |
| Surety bond | Not required ($0) |
| Exam / training course | Not required ($0) |
| Notarial seal or stamp | Varies by supplier |
| Record journal | Varies by supplier |
| E&O insurance (optional) | Optional; premium varies |
See costs and fees on USA Notary for platform-side details.
Turn Your Massachusetts Commission Into Income
Getting commissioned is step one. USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with paid signing work — and the moment Massachusetts makes remote online notarization available to you, you can add assigned, paid remote signings through the platform. Learn how Massachusetts notaries earn, check the platform requirements for Massachusetts notaries, and browse become-a-notary guides for other states.
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
Becoming a Notary in Other States
Requirements differ by state — here are nearby New England guides and other popular states. See the full 50-state directory.
About the author
Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC
CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC
Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.
Connect on LinkedInOfficial sources
- Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — Notary Public General Information
- Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — Remote Online Notarization
- Mass.gov — Apply to become a notary public
- National Notary Association — How to Become a Notary in Massachusetts
This guide summarizes public requirements from Massachusetts's notary authority and is for general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm current details with your state before applying.