Do you need a bond to be a notary in New Jersey?

No. New Jersey does not require a surety bond. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.

Is a course and exam really required now?

Yes. Since July 2022 new non-attorney applicants must complete a six-hour course and pass the state exam, so guides claiming no exam is needed are outdated.

How much can a New Jersey notary charge?

Up to $2.50 for a standard notarial act. Real estate transfers are capped at $15 per transaction and real estate financing at $25 per transaction, regardless of the number of documents.

What happens if you miss the 90-day oath deadline?

Your appointment is cancelled and you must reapply, so take your oath at the county clerk within 90 days of receiving your commission.

How to Become a Notary in New Jersey (2026): Steps, Cost & Exam

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. New Jersey notary rules are administered by the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and can change, so confirm the details with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in New Jersey you must be 18 and a New Jersey resident or work in the state. Since July 2022 new non-attorney applicants must complete a six-hour course and pass an exam, and your application still has to be endorsed by a state legislator before you file it with the Treasury and pay the $25 fee. There is no bond, the term is five years, and you take your oath at the county clerk within 90 days. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in New Jersey?

Becoming a New Jersey notary typically costs $110 to $145, with no bond to buy. The fixed government charges are the $25 application fee, which is $30 when you file online, and the $15 oath fee at the county clerk. The rest is the six-hour course, your stamp, and the journal New Jersey requires. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in New Jersey?

You become a New Jersey notary by completing the course and exam, getting a legislator's endorsement, and filing with the Treasury. The steps, in order, are:

Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 18 and a New Jersey resident, or a resident of an adjoining state who regularly works or has an office in New Jersey.
Complete the six-hour course and pass the exam. Non-attorney first-time applicants read the New Jersey Notary Public Manual, take the approved course, and pass the state online exam.
Get a state legislator's endorsement. Your application must be endorsed by a New Jersey state legislator before it goes to the Treasury; the online system helps route this.
File with DORES and pay the fee. Submit through the Notary Public Application System and pay $25, or $30 with the online convenience fee.
Take your oath within 90 days. Bring your commission certificate and oath qualification to the county clerk, pay the $15 fee, and take the oath; then get your stamp and journal.

Do you need a course and exam to become a New Jersey notary?

Yes, since July 2022 new non-attorney applicants must complete a six-hour course and pass a state exam, so older guides that say no education is required are out of date. You read the New Jersey Notary Public Manual, watch the official training videos, and pass the online test the Treasury administers before a commission can be granted. Attorneys are not required to take the course, and renewing notaries take a shorter three-hour continuing education course instead.

Why does New Jersey require a legislator to endorse your application?

New Jersey is one of the few states that still requires a state legislator to endorse your notary application before it is filed, a holdover from how the appointment process is structured. In practice you obtain the endorsement of a member of the State Legislature, and the online application system is designed to help route the request, so it is rarely the obstacle people fear. It does mean you cannot simply mail an application straight to the state the way you can in most states.

What are the requirements to become a New Jersey notary?

The New Jersey requirements pair residency with the newer education step. You must be at least 18, a New Jersey resident or a worker from an adjoining state, and free of disqualifying convictions, since offenses involving dishonesty require approval from the Attorney General. Non-attorneys complete the six-hour course and exam, secure a legislator's endorsement, and after appointment take an oath at the county clerk. New Jersey does not require a bond, but it does require you to keep a journal of your notarial acts and use a stamp.

How do you renew or notarize online in New Jersey?

You renew by completing a three-hour continuing education course and reapplying before your five-year commission expires, and missing the deadline by more than 30 days means retaking the full six-hour course and exam. New Jersey also allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a commission you can register to notarize by audio-video using approved technology. Renewals still go through the same Treasury system and a new oath at the county clerk.

Becoming a New Jersey notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond to be a notary in New Jersey?: No. New Jersey does not require a surety bond. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.
Is a course and exam really required now?: Yes. Since July 2022 new non-attorney applicants must complete a six-hour course and pass the state exam, so guides claiming no exam is needed are outdated.
How much can a New Jersey notary charge?: Up to $2.50 for a standard notarial act. Real estate transfers are capped at $15 per transaction and real estate financing at $25 per transaction, regardless of the number of documents.
How long does a New Jersey notary commission last?: Five years. You complete a three-hour continuing education course and reapply to renew before it expires.
What happens if you miss the 90-day oath deadline?: Your appointment is cancelled and you must reapply, so take your oath at the county clerk within 90 days of receiving your commission.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES), Notary Public Unit; the New Jersey Notary Public Act and the 2022 educational and testing requirements. Confirm current fees and steps with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury before applying.