Application & Requirements
To become a Notary Public you must apply online at: https://www.njportal.com/dor/notary
Application Approval
When your application is approved, you will receive a Notary Commission from the New Jersey Department of Treasury. This document is constructed in three (3) sections that are attached but perforated. DO NOT TEAR THEM APART. You must then appear in person with this document at the Bergen County Clerk's office to register the Commission. You will also be asked to provide some form of identification, such as a driver’s license, to verify your signature. You must register within 90 days of the Commission date, which is stamped in the top left corner of your certificate. Failure to do so will invalidate your Notary Commission.
There is a $15 fee to register your Notary Commission with the County. You may pay by credit card or check made payable to the Bergen County Clerk. You will receive a receipt.
NOTE: Your Notary Commission must be renewed every five (5) years. Unless you have moved and failed to notify the Notary Public Section of your new address, you should receive a renewal application from Trenton automatically, approximately three (3) months prior to the expiration date.
To notify the Notary Public Section of an address or name change go to the following website: https://www.njportal.com/DOR/Notary/NameAddressChange
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Notary Public?
A Notary is a public officer who serves as an impartial witness to the signing of documents and to the acknowledgment of signatures and documents. Effective notary services help to ensure that documents are properly executed, facts are duly certified, and the public is protected from fraud.
Q: Who appoints notaries and for how long?
A Notary Public is appointed by the State Treasurer for a five-year period, and is sworn into office by the clerk of the county in which he/she resides.
Q: What are the qualifications?
Applicant must be 18 years or older and a resident of New Jersey or an adjoining state who is regularly employed in an office in this state.
Q: What is a notary authorized to do?
A Notary is authorized to administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments, execute jurats for affidavits and other verifications, take proofs of deeds, and execute protests for non-payment or non-acceptance.
Q: Are there any liabilities associated with the office?
Willful violations such as fraud can lead to the removal of the Notary’s commission and leave the Notary vulnerable to civil and/or criminal legal actions. In the capacity of a Notary, acting as a legal advocate is considered the unauthorized practice of law and will also leave the Notary vulnerable to civil and/or criminal legal actions.
Q: What are the fees for Notary services?
Administering an oath/affirmation, executing a jurat, taking proof of a deed, and taking an acknowledgment are all $2.50 each.
A Notary Public is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in certain legal matters, usually involving estates, deeds, mortgages, and a variety of business agreements. A notary's main function is to witness and authenticate the execution, or signing, of certain kinds of documents. Performing this task is known as notarization. This is often necessary to make a document legally binding.