How to Become a New Jersey Notary in 2026
NJ requires an online exam for initial applicants (attorneys exempt), no bond, and an oath at the county courthouse. Renewal requires a 3-hour CE course (no re-exam). North NJ NSAs earn $125–$200/signing.
Commission Cost
~$40 – $80
NSA-Ready Cost
~$305 – $695
North NJ Signing Fee
$125 – $200
Commission Term
5 years
Initial exam required — NJ attorneys are exempt
New Jersey requires an online exam for all new notary applicants who are not licensed NJ attorneys. At renewal (5 years later), there is no re-exam — just a 3-hour CE course.
Oath of office at county courthouse required
After your commission is approved, you must take an in-person Oath of Office at your county courthouse. NJ notaries can only perform notarial acts within New Jersey's geographic borders.
Best New Jersey Notary Training Programs (2026)
1. NNA (New Jersey Package)Best All-in-One
NJ state-approved notary training included with supply packages: rubber stamp, journal, 5-year NNA Hotline. Verify current pricing at nationalnotary.org/new-jersey/become-a-notary.
Verify
at NNA
2. Loan Signing System (LSS)Best NSA Training
#1 rated NSA training — 100,000+ students. North NJ / NYC metro is one of the highest-paying NSA markets in the US ($125-$200/signing). $347 one-time or 4x$97/mo.
$347
Six Figure
3. NNA NSA CertificationIndustry Standard
Background check + NSA certification required by most North NJ and NYC-area title companies. $199 (background + training) or $299 (adds NNA membership).
$199
or $299
Best New Jersey Notary Training Programs
All 3 schools are New Jersey NJ DORES-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
NNA (National Notary Association)
Best All-in-One PackageStarting at
$0
- NJ state-approved notary training included in NJ packages
- Rubber stamp (required), journal, and NNA Hotline
- 5-year NNA Hotline subscription matches NJ 5-year commission
- NEEDS_REVIEW: Verify exact NJ package pricing at nationalnotary.org/new-jersey/become-a-notary
Available Packages (1)
New Jersey Commission Package
- NJ state-approved notary training
- Rubber stamp seal (required)
- Notary journal (mandatory)
- 5-year NNA Hotline
- NEEDS_REVIEW: Verify current NJ pricing at NNA
NNA NSA Certification
Industry Standard CredentialStarting at
$199
- Industry-standard background check required by North NJ and NYC-area title companies
- NSA Certification Training and Exam (80%+ passing)
- Listing on SigningAgent.com directory included
Available Packages (2)
Background Screening + Training
- Background Screening
- NSA Certification Training and Exam
- Listing on SigningAgent.com
Loan Signing System (LSS) - Mark Wills
Best NSA Training CourseStarting at
$347
- #1 rated NSA training — 100,000+ students nationwide
- North NJ / NYC metro is one of the highest-paying NSA markets ($125-$200/signing)
- Includes LSS Certification recognized by NJ title companies
- 4 months LIVE 1:1 mentorship + biweekly coaching calls
- 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days
Available Packages (1)
Six Figure Course
- NSA Training + LSS Certification
- 9-Step Notary Business Blueprint
- Video walkthroughs of all 5 loan signing types
- 4 months mentorship + coaching calls
- 300+ companies hiring signing agents
- Payment plan: 4 x $97/month
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
New Jersey Notary — Key Facts
New Jersey notaries are commissioned through DORES (NJ Department of the Treasury) under P.L. 2021, c.179. Four things that make NJ different:
Exam required (attorneys exempt)
Online through DORES portal
Renewal: 3-hr CE course (no re-exam)
No bond required
Low startup cost
E&O required for on-demand RON
County courthouse oath required
In-person after commission approval
NJ-only geographic boundary
North NJ premium market
$125-$200/signing NYC-adjacent
Bergen/Essex/Hudson/Union counties
How Much Do New Jersey Notary Signing Agents Earn?
North NJ Premium
$125 – $200
Per signing (NYC-adjacent)
Bergen/Hudson Top Operators
$70K – $120K+
Direct title relationships
Statewide Range
$75 – $200
Per loan signing
| Market | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| North NJ (Bergen/Essex/Hudson/Union) | $125 – $200 |
| Jersey City / Hoboken | $125 – $175 |
| Central NJ (Middlesex/Monmouth) | $100 – $175 |
| South Jersey (Camden/Burlington) | $75 – $150 |
How to Become a New Jersey Notary — Step by Step
Study NJ Notary Public Manual and complete training videos
Review the official NJ Notary Public Manual and watch training videos available through DORES at treasury.nj.gov. These are the source materials for the exam.
Complete Notary Commissioning Application and pass online exam (non-attorneys)
Apply online through DORES. Non-attorney applicants must pass the Notary Public Exam online. NJ attorneys are completely exempt from this exam. The exam is based on the NJ Notary Public Manual.
Complete Notary Registration Application
Complete the second registration application through the DORES portal. Verify the current application fee at treasury.nj.gov.
Take oath of office at county courthouse
After your commission is approved, take your in-person Oath of Office at your county courthouse. NJ notaries can only perform notarial acts within New Jersey's geographic borders.
Purchase rubber stamp seal and journal, then add NSA training
Buy a rubber stamp seal (required) and notary journal (mandatory). Then: Loan Signing System ($347) + NNA background check ($199 — required by North NJ title companies) + E&O insurance (~$100-$250/yr) for loan signing income.
New Jersey Notary Requirements at a Glance
Commission Requirements
- Age 18+; NJ resident or NJ-employed
- Study NJ Notary Manual + pass online exam (attorneys exempt)
- No surety bond required
- Application fee (verify at treasury.nj.gov)
- Oath of office at county courthouse
- Rubber stamp seal + journal required
- 5-year commission term
Regulator + RON
- Agency: NJ DORES (Department of the Treasury)
- Website: treasury.nj.gov
- Statute: P.L. 2021, c.179 (Notary Public Act)
- Renewal: 3-hr CE course (no re-exam)
- RON: Authorized; $75 fee + digital certificate; E&O required for on-demand RON
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Frequently Asked Questions — New Jersey Notary
How do I become a notary public in New Jersey?
Review the NJ Notary Public Manual and watch training videos through DORES. Complete the Notary Commissioning Application online, pass the online exam (non-attorneys only), complete the Notary Registration Application, and take your oath of office at the county courthouse. No surety bond required. Purchase a rubber stamp seal and notary journal. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Does New Jersey require an exam?
Yes, for initial applicants who are not licensed New Jersey attorneys. The exam is taken online through the DORES portal. At renewal (after the 5-year term), no exam is required — renewing notaries complete a 3-hour continuing education course instead.
Are New Jersey attorneys exempt from the notary exam?
Yes. Licensed New Jersey attorneys are completely exempt from the initial notary exam. This is one of the broadest attorney exemptions in notary law. NJ attorneys also have a streamlined commission path and are generally subject to different requirements than non-attorney notaries.
Does New Jersey require a surety bond?
No. New Jersey does not require a surety bond for standard notary commissions. E&O insurance is not required by state law for standard notaries, but is required for notaries working in an on-demand commercial capacity (e.g., RON services). For NSA work, $100,000 E&O coverage is expected by title companies.
How long is a New Jersey notary commission?
A New Jersey notary commission lasts 5 years. Renewal requires a 3-hour continuing education course (no exam). The renewal fee and application must be submitted before expiration — verify current renewal fee at treasury.nj.gov.
What are New Jersey's seal and journal requirements?
New Jersey requires a rubber stamp ink seal (not an embossing seal). The stamp must include your name as commissioned, "Notary Public, State of New Jersey," and commission expiration date. A journal is mandatory for all notarial acts on paper documents. New Jersey notaries can only perform notarial acts within New Jersey's borders.
How much does it cost to become a New Jersey notary?
Basic commission: ~$40-$80 plus the application fee (verify at treasury.nj.gov). No bond required. Add $25-$50 for rubber stamp and $15-$30 for journal. NSA-ready total: ~$305-$695 (add LSS training $347, NNA background check $65, E&O insurance $100-$250/yr). RON authorization adds $75 + digital certificate cost.
How much do New Jersey notary signing agents earn?
North NJ (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Union counties) is one of the highest-paying NSA markets due to proximity to NYC and high real estate values. Typical signing fees: $75-$200 statewide; $125-$200 in North NJ. Full-time, high-volume NJ NSAs with direct title company relationships in Bergen/Hudson/Essex counties earn $70,000-$120,000+.
What are the best New Jersey markets for notary signing agents?
North Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Union counties) commands premium fees due to NYC proximity and high home values. Jersey City and Hoboken have strong NYC commuter markets. Central NJ (Middlesex, Monmouth counties) has strong suburban growth and pharmaceutical sector relocation. South Jersey has proximity to the Philadelphia market.
Does New Jersey support Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
Yes. New Jersey authorizes RON. To perform RON, you need an active NJ notary commission plus a separate Online Notary Public Commission Application with a $75 fee, plus a digital certificate (IdenTrust is commonly used). E&O insurance is required for notaries working in an on-demand commercial RON capacity.
Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources:
Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board before enrolling or submitting any application. Learn how we source our data.