New Jersey Notary Acknowledgment: Free Fillable Form & Wording
This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The wording reflects the New Jersey Notary Public Act, N.J.S.A. 52:7-10 et seq., and N.J.S.A. 46:14-2.1, but the law can change. Confirm the current form with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services before relying on it.
Fillable New Jersey acknowledgment form
Choose the traditional form or the short form, enter the details, and the certificate updates live with the statutory New Jersey wording. Copy or print it, then attach it to your document. The notary completes and signs the final certificate after verifying identity.
What is the exact New Jersey acknowledgment wording?
New Jersey recognizes both forms below. The traditional acknowledgment, common on deeds, comes first, followed by the short form introduced by the Notary Public Act.
Traditional form
State of New Jersey, County of ______, ss.
I CERTIFY that on ______ (date), ____________ (name) personally appeared before me, and this person acknowledged under oath, to my satisfaction, that this person (a) is named in and personally signed this document; and (b) signed, sealed and delivered this document as his or her act and deed.
Short form · individual capacity
State of New Jersey
County of ______
This record was acknowledged before me on ______ (date) by ____________ (name(s) of individual(s)).
(Signature of notarial officer)
____________ (printed name)
Notary Public, State of New Jersey
My commission expires: ______
Should you use the traditional New Jersey form or the short form?
Use whichever form is already printed on your document, since both satisfy New Jersey law. County clerks and title companies still expect the traditional "under oath, to my satisfaction" wording on deeds and mortgages, so that form remains the safe default for real estate. The short form from the 2021 Notary Public Act is fine for general documents and matches the wording other states use. If a document arrives with no certificate, the signer, not the notary, chooses which to attach.
| Traditional form | Short form | |
|---|---|---|
| Opens with | "I CERTIFY that on (date)" | State and county caption |
| Key phrase | "acknowledged under oath, to my satisfaction" | "This record was acknowledged before me" |
| Typically seen on | Deeds, mortgages, title documents | General documents since 2021 |
| Valid? | Yes | Yes, added by the Notary Public Act |
Why does the New Jersey form say "under oath, to my satisfaction"?
New Jersey phrases its traditional acknowledgment as being made under oath, which is unusual, since an acknowledgment in most states is not sworn. The wording asks the signer to acknowledge, on oath and to the notary's satisfaction, both that they are named in the document and that they signed it as their own act and deed. The "to my satisfaction" clause puts the judgment of identity squarely on the notary. It reads like a blend of an acknowledgment and a jurat, and it is a New Jersey signature that title professionals look for.
Why must a New Jersey notary print their name?
New Jersey requires the name to be printed or typed beneath every signature, including the notary's, so that the office can read it clearly. A signature alone is not enough; the printed or typed name must sit under it. This rule catches notaries who sign and stamp but forget to print their name legibly, and a recorder can question a certificate that leaves it off. The requirement applies to the signer's name as well, which is why New Jersey certificates place a printed name under each signature line.
Who commissions notaries in New Jersey?
New Jersey notaries are commissioned by the State Treasurer, through the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, rather than by a Secretary of State, and the term is five years. Since the 2021 Notary Public Act, applicants must pass an examination. After approval, a new notary is sworn in before the county clerk of their county before performing any acts, and pays the county's qualification fee. A notary may act throughout the state, and must renew before the commission expires to avoid reapplying from the start.
New Jersey acknowledgment: frequently asked questions
- What law governs New Jersey acknowledgment forms?
- The Notary Public Act, P.L. 2021 c.179, at N.J.S.A. 52:7-10 et seq., with the certificate requirements and short forms in N.J.S.A. 52:7-19.
- Why does the New Jersey form say "under oath"?
- The traditional New Jersey acknowledgment has the signer acknowledge "under oath, to my satisfaction," an older phrasing the state kept and county clerks still expect on deeds.
- Must a New Jersey notary print their name?
- Yes. Every signature, including the notary's, must have the name printed or typed beneath it so the office can read it clearly.
- Who commissions notaries in New Jersey?
- The State Treasurer, through the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. New notaries are then sworn in before the county clerk before acting.
- How long is a New Jersey notary commission?
- Five years, and since 2021 applicants must pass an examination. The commission is administered by the Department of the Treasury.
Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: New Jersey Notary Public Act, P.L. 2021 c.179 (N.J.S.A. 52:7-10 et seq. and 52:7-19); N.J.S.A. 46:14-2.1; the New Jersey Notary Public Manual, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. Confirm current wording before relying on it.