notary requirements

New Notary Educational and Testing Requirements

Source: NJ DORES

Under New Jersey’s new notary public law (P.L. 2021, c. 179), the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) is responsible for implementing various changes designed to modernize the notary commissioning process and general notarial practices in this State.

Among the key changes are educational and testing requirements for New Jersey notaries public. Beginning July 2022, the following statutory provisions become effective:

For initial commissions. Non-attorney applicants for initial notary public commissions must provide proof that they have:

  1. Completed a six-hour course of study approved by the State Treasurer; and
  2. Passed an examination prescribed by the State Treasurer.

Procedures for compliance with the above provisions will be made available via DORES’s web site: nj.gov/njbgs. Please check the site periodically for updates.

For renewed commissions. A commissioned notary public applying to renew a commission who has satisfactorily completed the six-hour course of study and passed an examination prescribed by the State Treasurer at least one time, or those who were commissioned for the first time before the October 22, 2021 effective date of P.L. 2021, c.179 must complete a three-hour continuing education course. Procedures for compliance with this provision will be made available via DORES’s web site. Please check the site periodically for updates.