For Notaries · New Jersey
How to Become a Notary in New Jersey
To become a notary in New Jersey, you must be at least 18 and a New Jersey resident (or work in the state). No surety bond is required. Non-attorneys complete a six-hour course and pass a state exam, then file a $25 application with the Division of Revenue. Commissions last five years.
Last updated: July 9, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
New Jersey commissions its notaries through the Department of the Treasury's Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES), with the State Treasurer making the appointment. Unlike many states, New Jersey does not require a surety bond, but it does require most applicants to complete a six-hour course and pass a state exam, and every application must be endorsed by a State Legislator before it reaches DORES. After you file the $25 application, you swear your Oath of Office at your County Clerk within 90 days. Commissions run five years, and since October 2021 New Jersey notaries can also register to perform remote online notarizations.
New Jersey Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | You must be at least 18 years old and either a New Jersey resident or a resident of an adjoining state who regularly works in New Jersey or maintains an office here. Anyone convicted of a crime involving dishonesty, or a first- or second-degree crime, can only be appointed with special approval from the State Treasurer and the Attorney General of New Jersey. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | Not required. New Jersey does not require notaries to purchase a surety bond. Carrying your own errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance is optional and protects you personally, but the state mandates no bond to be commissioned. |
| State filing fee | $25 (plus a $5 convenience fee if filing online; plus a separate $15 County Clerk fee for the Oath of Office) |
| Commission term | 5 years |
| Notary education | A six-hour course of study approved by the State Treasurer is required for non-attorney applicants; reviewing the official New Jersey Notary Public Manual is used to satisfy this requirement. Attorneys are exempt. Renewing notaries take a three-hour continuing-education course. |
| Exam | Required for non-attorneys. You must pass the notary examination prescribed by the State Treasurer before you are commissioned. Licensed New Jersey attorneys are exempt from the exam. |
New Jersey notary commissions are issued for a five-year term, the state charges a $25 non-refundable application fee (plus a $5 convenience fee for online filing) and a separate $15 County Clerk fee for the Oath of Office, and no surety bond is required. — NJ Treasury — Notary Public Program FAQ
How to Become a Notary in New Jersey: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
Be at least 18 and a New Jersey resident, or a resident of an adjoining state who regularly works in or maintains a business in New Jersey. You must have no disqualifying criminal conviction; crimes of dishonesty or first- or second-degree crimes require special approval from the State Treasurer and Attorney General.
- 2
Complete the six-hour course and pass the state exam
If you are not a licensed New Jersey attorney, complete a six-hour notary course approved by the State Treasurer and pass the state notary exam. Reviewing the official New Jersey Notary Public Manual is used to satisfy the course requirement. Attorneys are exempt from both the course and the exam.
- 3
File your application (with a State Legislator endorsement) and $25 fee
New Jersey applications must be endorsed by a State Legislator before filing. Apply through the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) online system, where legislators endorse electronically, and pay the $25 filing fee plus a $5 convenience fee for online filing. No surety bond is required.
- 4
Swear your Oath of Office at the County Clerk within 90 days
After DORES processes your application, you are mailed a Commission Packet. Within 90 days, take it to your County Clerk's office to swear the Notary Public Oath of Office and pay a $15 recording fee. Miss the 90-day window and your commission is void — you must reapply and pay again.
- 5
Start notarizing and add remote online notarization
Your commission lasts five years. Order a notary stamp; keeping a journal is recommended. To notarize remotely, register to add remote and electronic notarization through the DORES portal and use an approved communication-technology vendor, then join USA Notary to receive paid remote online signings.
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in New Jersey
New Jersey permanently authorized remote online notarization effective October 20, 2021, under P.L. 2021, c. 179. You must first hold an active New Jersey notary commission, then register to add remote and electronic notarization through the DORES online portal and use an approved communication-technology vendor that performs identity proofing (verifying the remote signer over live audio-visual technology). Notaries must keep a record of each remote notarization, including an audio-visual recording, for the retention period set by the law.
Online / remote notary application fee: No separate state registration fee is documented in the official FAQ or law — you add remote/electronic notarization by updating your commission record through the DORES portal; communication-technology and vendor costs are separate.
RON operative since October 20, 2021 (P.L. 2021, c. 179); commissioned notaries update their records via the DORES portal to offer it.
See how RON is authorized in New Jersey — and state by state →
Walk through the New Jersey remote online notarization process →
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in New Jersey
New Jersey allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a New Jersey commission you can register to notarize for signers who appear over live video — and take on assigned online signings.
| 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 New Jersey? | Yes | Available now — register once commissioned |
| 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 New Jersey?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State application (filing) fee | $25 (non-refundable) |
| Online convenience fee | $5 (if filing online) |
| County Clerk Oath of Office fee | $15 |
| Surety bond | Not required |
| Six-hour course & state exam | Varies by provider (manual review may satisfy the course) |
| Notary stamp & supplies | Varies |
See costs and fees on USA Notary for platform-side details.
Turn Your New Jersey Commission Into Income
Getting commissioned is step one. USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. Learn how New Jersey notaries earn, check the platform requirements for New Jersey 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 Mid-Atlantic 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
- NJ Treasury, Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services — Notary Public Law
- NJ Treasury — Notary Public Program FAQ (PDF)
- NJ Treasury — New Notary Educational and Testing Requirements
- American Society of Notaries — New Jersey State Information
This guide summarizes public requirements from New Jersey'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.