NOTARY ACADEMY
New Jersey Notary Education & Professional Development
New Jersey requires formal education and an examination for most first-time notary applicants, followed by county qualification before performing notarial acts. But completing the commissioning process is only the beginning of developing your professional skills and judgment.
Whether you're preparing for your first commission, seeking renewal, or developing a notary business, Notary Academy provides education and ongoing professional development to support your next step.
Notary Academy provides a structured path for continued learning and professional growth. The education, resources, and guidance are here to support you.
Your progress comes from how you choose to use them.
Where Are You in YourĀ New Jersey Notary Career?
Preparing to Become a Notary
You're learning New Jersey's eligibility requirements, completing the required education and examination, and preparing for the application and county oath process.
Commissioned, But Still Finding Your Footing
You're navigating unfamiliar documents, identification questions, notarial certificates, journal entries, and situations requiring professional judgment.
Ready to Build a Stronger Business
You want to become more visible in your community, develop professional relationships, establish reliable procedures, and understand the responsibilities of offering additional authorized services.
Wherever you are today, your next step should support what you're actually trying to accomplish.
Understanding New Jersey Notary Requirements
New Jersey notaries public are commissioned by the State Treasurer through the Department of the Treasury's Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
New Jersey law establishes requirements for education, examinations, commissioning, journalkeeping, identification, notarial certificates, and electronic and remote notarization.
Becoming a New Jersey Notary Public
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and meet New Jersey's residency or qualifying employment requirements and statutory eligibility standards.
Nonresidents may qualify through an appropriate New Jersey office or business-employment connection, including certain employees working remotely for businesses domiciled or primarily located in New Jersey.
Applications require endorsement by a member of the New Jersey Legislature and must be submitted through the state's online commissioning system.
Most initial non-attorney applicants must complete the prescribed education and examination before submitting their commissioning application.
After appointment, the applicant must take the oath of office before the appropriate county clerk within three months of receiving the commission. Failure to complete this requirement results in revocation of the appointment.
New Jersey commissions last five years.
New Jersey Education and Renewal
Since July 2022, non-attorney first-time applicants have been required to complete a six-hour course of study and pass the examination prescribed by the State Treasurer.
New Jersey attorneys licensed to practice law in the state are exempt from these commissioning education and examination requirements.
Qualifying non-attorney renewal applicants must complete the prescribed three-hour continuing education course. Renewing an active commission does not ordinarily require repeating the initial examination.
The state's online application system also distinguishes regular renewal from an application submitted more than 30 days after a commission expires. Applicants outside that period may be directed through the new-applicant process and examination.
Renewal applications must be submitted online, and the required county oath must be completed for the new appointment.
Applicants should follow the current instructions in the Department of the Treasury's application portal.
New Jersey Stamp and Journal Requirements
New Jersey does not require a traditional notary surety bond.
The state prescribes information that must appear in notarial certificates and official stamps, including the notary's name, designation, jurisdiction, and commission expiration information.
New Jersey requires records of notarial acts.
Under N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.18, a notary generally maintains one journal covering all notarial acts, whether involving tangible or electronic records.
The journal may be a permanent bound register or a compliant tamper-evident electronic journal.
Notaries must record the required information at the time of each act and retain the journal for ten years after its last entry.
New Jersey provides a statutory alternative allowing certain attorneys, attorney employees, and qualifying title-insurance personnel to use their regularly maintained professional files instead of a separate journal.
Electronic and Remote Notarization in New Jersey
New Jersey authorizes both electronic notarization and qualifying remote notarization.
In-person electronic notarization (IPEN) involves an electronic record while the signer and notary are physically together.
Remote notarization permits a remotely located individual to appear through compliant audiovisual communication technology.
Before performing electronic or remote acts, a commissioned notary must notify the State Treasurer through the online registration system and identify the technology intended for use.
For remote acts, the notarial officer must be physically located in New Jersey and comply with the applicable identity-verification, communication-technology, certificate, and recording requirements.
New Jersey also establishes procedures for certain remote acts involving tangible paper records, including acknowledgments involving records physically before the notary and qualifying paper records transmitted after an audiovisual signing.
Remote audiovisual recordings generally must be retained for at least ten years.
Special statutory restrictions and procedures apply to wills, codicils, and testamentary trusts. Notaries should consult the current law before accepting those transactions remotely.
New Jersey Notary Fees and Professional Responsibilities
New Jersey generally permits a fee of $2.50 for common notarial services such as administering an oath, taking an affidavit, taking proof of a deed, or taking an acknowledgment.
Separate statutory maximums apply to certain real-estate transactions, including $15 for specified property-transfer services and $25 for specified mortgage-financing services, subject to the applicable per-transaction provisions.
Notaries should review the current fee schedule before establishing their prices.
New Jersey also requires non-attorney notaries who advertise their services to include the prescribed notice explaining that they are not licensed attorneys and cannot provide legal advice.
Notaries must properly identify individuals, remain impartial, complete lawful certificates and journal records, and recognize requests that exceed their authority.
Official New Jersey Notary Resources
The New Jersey Department of the Treasury administers commissioning, education, applications, renewals, and electronic-notary notifications.
Applicants and commissioned notaries should consult the current Notary Public Manual, application portal, statutes, and administrative rules when preparing for commissioning or offering unfamiliar services.
(Click the links below)Ā
New Jersey Department of the Treasury: Notary Public
Notary program and current lawĀ
New Jersey Notary Application and Renewal Portal
New Jersey Notary Education and Examination
New Jersey Notary Examination Portal
New Jersey Notary Public Manual, September 2026
New Jersey Notary Public Law, P.L. 2021, c.179
Commissioning and notarial statutesĀ
New Jersey Electronic and Remote Notary Registration
New Jersey Treasury Notary Fee Schedule
Your Commission Is Only the Beginning
New Jersey requires most first-time applicants to complete education and an examination. But meeting those requirements doesn't prepare you for every situation you'll encounter while serving the public.
What happens when a signer presents unfamiliar identification? When you're uncertain how to complete a certificate or journal entry? Or when a client requests remote notarization and you need to determine which requirements apply?
These situations call for accurate knowledge, practical experience, sound judgment, and reliable procedures.
Continued professional development helps you strengthen those skills and recognize the boundaries of your authority.
That's why Notary Academy has built more than a collection of educational materials. We've created a connected system of learning, practice, professional guidance, and implementation resources to help you continue developing beyond your commission.
But having a path forward and actually moving forward are two different things.
Your responsibility is to participate, apply what you're learning, and take the next step.
Your commission authorizes the work. What you learn and implement afterward shapes how you perform it.
Professional Development That Continues Beyond the Classroom
Notary Academy is a national notary education and professional development institution founded by Kimberly Sennett in 2020.
Our educational approach connects notarial knowledge, professional judgment, practical application, and business development.
Education Grounded in the Profession
Learn from experienced notary professionals who understand the responsibilities of the commission and the realities of serving clients.
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Learning That Connects to Practice
Develop your understanding through education, real-world examples, practical resources, and opportunities to apply what you've learned.
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A Path for Continued Business Growth
Whether you're strengthening foundations, establishing business, becoming visible, or refining skills, there is a structured pathway to help identify what deserves your attention next.
"Because being commissioned is only the beginning."
What Happens After You Learn the Information?Ā
Knowing the rules is one part of professional development. Learning how to apply them, practice unfamiliar situations, communicate with clients, and operate your business takes continued effort.
The Notary Academy Inner Circle brings education, practical resources, live learning, advisor guidance, and opportunities for implementation together in one ongoing membership.
Through The Implementation Pathā„¢, members can identify their current stage, find relevant learning and resources, and focus on meaningful next steps.
You don't have to figure out every next step on your own. But you do have to take those steps.
The Learning Circle, practice opportunities, and resource library are there to support your development. Their value comes from engaging with the education and putting what you learn into practice.
We've built the path forward...
Your participation is what puts it to work.
Build the Skills and Business That Fit Your Goals
New Jersey notaries serve in different professional settings. Some perform notarial acts as part of their employment, while others want to develop independent businesses, strengthen community relationships, or explore additional authorized services.
Whatever your goals, continued development involves reliable communication, organized procedures, professional relationships, and consistent visibility within your community.
Inside the Inner Circle, The Implementation Path helps members identify their current stage and focus on the work that matters most.
Strengthen Your Foundations
Develop your understanding of notarial responsibilities, procedures, compliance, and professional judgment.
Become Known in Your Community
Learn how to develop your professional presence, build local relationships, communicate your value, and become easier to find & hire.
Build With IntentionĀ
Develop business systems, evaluate your progress, practice unfamiliar situations, and make informed decisions about the future.Ā
How do I become a Notary Public in New Jersey?
Does New Jersey require notary education and an examination?
How do I renew a New Jersey notary commission?
Does New Jersey require a notary journal?
Can New Jersey notaries perform remote notarizations?
Does Inner Circle membership replace New Jersey's required notary education?
Ready to Continue Building Beyond Your New Jersey Notary Commission?
New Jersey requires formal preparation for most first-time notaries. Developing the professional knowledge, judgment, relationships, and business practices that support your goals takes continued learning and intentional action.
Whether you're strengthening your notarial skills, becoming more visible in your community, or developing a business that fits your goals, Notary Academy provides ongoing professional development to support your next step.
"Because being commissioned is only the beginning."
Notary Academy provides the pathway, education, resources, and opportunities to strengthen your professional practice. You bring the commitment to learn, participate, and put that guidance into action.
The next step is yours to take.
