How to Become a Notary in Connecticut (2026): The 100% Exam, Cost & Steps
This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Connecticut notary rules are administered by the Secretary of the State under the Notary Public Manual and can change, so confirm the details before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.
What does it cost to become a notary in Connecticut?
Becoming a Connecticut notary usually costs about $130 to $150, almost all of it the state fee. The $120 application fee is the main charge, plus a small town clerk recording fee, commonly $10 to $20, and a few dollars to have your writing sample notarized. A seal and journal are optional rather than required, so they are extra only if you want them. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.
How do you become a notary in Connecticut?
You become a Connecticut notary by passing the application exam, then recording at your town clerk. The steps, in order, are:
- Study the Notary Public Manual. The exam draws directly from it, so read it before you start the application.
- Prepare your supporting forms. Complete the Jurat and Writing Sample form in your own handwriting and have it notarized, and obtain a Certificate of Character from someone who has known you for at least a year.
- Apply online and pass the exam. Use the eLicense portal, complete the built-in exam, and upload your forms; details and practice are on our Connecticut notary exam page.
- Pay the $120 fee. Submit the non-refundable application fee; approval usually arrives by email within three to five business days.
- Record at your town clerk within 30 days. Take the oath and record your Certificate of Appointment with the town clerk, pay the recording fee, and you may begin notarizing.
Why must you score 100% on the Connecticut notary exam?
Connecticut builds the exam into the online application and requires a perfect score, so you must answer every question correctly to be appointed. The test is open to the Notary Public Manual, which is why a perfect score is achievable, but it means careless mistakes stop your application rather than just lowering a grade. Read the manual closely and prepare with our Connecticut notary practice test, since the 100% standard leaves no room for guessing.
What documents does the Connecticut application require?
Beyond the exam, Connecticut asks for two documents most states do not. You complete a Jurat and Writing Sample form in your own handwriting and have it notarized, which checks both your penmanship and your understanding of notarial duties. You also submit a Certificate of Character signed by a reputable person, unrelated to you, who has known you for at least one year. Having both ready before you start the online application keeps it from stalling, since a deficient application gives you 90 days to fix it or you forfeit the fee.
What are the requirements to become a Connecticut notary?
The Connecticut requirements are light on equipment but specific on screening. You must be at least 18, able to read and write English, and either a Connecticut resident or someone with a principal place of business in the state, with no felony or crime of dishonesty and no prior revoked commission. Connecticut does not require a surety bond, a seal, or a journal, though many notaries buy a stamp and keep records anyway. The commission lasts five years and expires on the last day of the month in which you were first appointed.
How do you renew or notarize online in Connecticut?
You renew with a $60 application rather than the $120 new fee, and the Secretary of the State emails a renewal notice about three months before your five-year term ends. If your commission lapsed more than 90 days ago you must seek reinstatement, which mirrors a new application. Connecticut also authorizes remote online notarization for commissioned notaries who register and use approved technology, so confirm the current registration steps with the Secretary of the State before notarizing remotely.
Becoming a Connecticut notary: frequently asked questions
- Do you need a bond or seal in Connecticut?
- No. Connecticut requires no surety bond, no seal, and no journal, though many notaries use a stamp and keep records by choice.
- What score do you need on the Connecticut notary exam?
- 100%. The exam is built into the online application and open to the Notary Public Manual, so every answer must be correct.
- What extra documents does Connecticut require?
- A handwritten, notarized Jurat and Writing Sample, plus a Certificate of Character from someone who has known you at least a year.
- How long do you have to record with the town clerk?
- 30 days from receiving your Certificate of Appointment. You take the oath and record it at the town clerk before notarizing.
- How long does a Connecticut notary commission last?
- Five years, expiring on the last day of the month in which you were first appointed. Renewal costs $60.
Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Connecticut Secretary of the State, Notary Public Licensing and the Connecticut Notary Public Manual; Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 6. Confirm current fees and steps with the Secretary of the State before applying.