Do you need a bond or exam in Massachusetts?

No. Massachusetts requires no surety bond, no exam, and no training course. Errors and omissions insurance is optional.

Why does the application need an attorney's signature?

The application requires four community references, at least one an attorney, which is the state's main vetting method since there is no exam or background check.

When do you pay the $60 fee?

After approval, not with your application. You pay only once the Governor and Governor's Council approve you and you receive written notice.

Can you perform remote online notarizations in Massachusetts?

Not yet. Remote online notarization is authorized by law but not operational as of 2026; wait for the Secretary of the Commonwealth's guidance.

How long does a Massachusetts notary commission last?

Seven years, one of the longest terms in the country. You renew through a mailed package before it expires.

How to Get Commissioned as a Massachusetts Notary (2026): Cost & Steps

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Massachusetts notary rules are set in Chapter 222 of the General Laws and Executive Order 455, and can change, so confirm the details with the Secretary of the Commonwealth before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Massachusetts you must be 18 and live or work in the state. There is no bond, exam, or course, but the paper application needs four community references, one of whom must be an attorney, and it is approved by the Governor and the Governor's Council. You pay the $60 fee only after approval and take an oath within three months. The commission lasts seven years. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Massachusetts?

Becoming a Massachusetts notary is inexpensive, usually $75 to $100, because there is no bond, exam, or course. The only state charge is the $60 commission fee, and even that is paid after your application is approved, not when you submit it. The rest is your stamp and an optional journal. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Massachusetts?

You become a Massachusetts notary through a paper application that the Governor's Council approves. The steps, in order, are:

Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 18 and either live or work in Massachusetts, and read Chapter 222 of the General Laws so you understand a notary's duties.
Gather four references, including an attorney. The application needs the signatures of four known members of your community, and at least one must be a licensed attorney.
Mail the paper application with your resume. Send it, without payment, to the Notary Public Office at the State House in Boston; there is no online application.
Wait for Governor's Council approval. In about two to three weeks you receive written notice once the Governor and the Governor's Council approve you.
Pay $60 and take the oath. Send the $60 fee, then take the oath within three months before a justice of the peace or clerk, and buy your stamp.

Why do you need an attorney to sign your Massachusetts application?

Massachusetts asks for four references from known members of your community, and at least one of them must be a licensed attorney, which is its main way of vetting applicants since there is no exam or background check. The references vouch for your character on the application itself, so line them up before you mail it. This requirement surprises applicants from other states, and not having an attorney reference ready is a common reason applications stall.

What are the requirements to become a Massachusetts notary?

The Massachusetts requirements are light on testing but specific on process. You must be at least 18 and live or work in the Commonwealth, complete the paper application with four community references including an attorney, attach a current resume, and read Chapter 222. There is no surety bond, no exam, no training course, and no separate state background check. A compliant stamp with black non-bleeding ink is required, and a journal is only mandatory for protests of negotiable instruments.

Can you be an online notary in Massachusetts?

Not yet. Massachusetts authorized remote online notarization through a 2023 law, but it is not operational as of 2026, so you should not perform remote online notarizations until the Secretary of the Commonwealth issues guidance. For now your commission covers traditional in-person notarial acts, and you can be a mobile notary who travels to clients. Check the Secretary's office for the current status before relying on remote notarization.

How do you renew a Massachusetts notary commission?

You renew by completing the renewal package the Secretary's office mails to you about five weeks before your seven-year commission expires, since applications are not handled online. You provide an updated resume and references again and return the package, then pay the $60 fee after approval and take a fresh oath. Because the term is so long, confirm your address is current with the Secretary's office so your renewal package reaches you in time.

Becoming a Massachusetts notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond or exam in Massachusetts?: No. Massachusetts requires no surety bond, no exam, and no training course. Errors and omissions insurance is optional.
Why does the application need an attorney's signature?: The application requires four community references, at least one an attorney, which is the state's main vetting method since there is no exam or background check.
When do you pay the $60 fee?: After approval, not with your application. You pay only once the Governor and Governor's Council approve you and you receive written notice.
Can you perform remote online notarizations in Massachusetts?: Not yet. Remote online notarization is authorized by law but not operational as of 2026; wait for the Secretary of the Commonwealth's guidance.
How long does a Massachusetts notary commission last?: Seven years, one of the longest terms in the country. You renew through a mailed package before it expires.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Notary Public Office; Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 222 (as amended) and Executive Order 455. Confirm current fees and steps with the Secretary of the Commonwealth before applying.