New Jersey notary public
Exam requiredWhat it takes to become a notary public in New Jersey, from the state's official commissioning authority.
- Written exam
- Exam required
- Administered by
- State-administered exam via NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) online portal; 6-hour state-approved training course required for new (non-attorney) applicants
- Commission term
- 5 (renewable for additional 5-year periods) years
- Surety bond
- none required by statute, though notaries remain personally liable for misconduct (some sources note optional $10,000 bond product available commercially)
- Notes
- Notary function sits under NJ Department of the Treasury/DORES, not the Secretary of State. New non-attorney applicants must complete the 6-hour course and pass the exam; attorneys admitted to the NJ bar are exempt from the course/exam.
Some New Jersey details were ambiguous on the official site when we researched this (July 2026) — double-check specifics with the commissioning authority before you rely on them.
Preparing to be a New Jersey notary
New Jersey requires a written exam, and PrepTempo's Notary course covers the notarial concepts it tests — notarial acts, identifying signers, journals and seals, and unauthorized practice of law. Study your New Jersey statute on top of the core.
Start the Notary course →Official sources
Educational information only, researched July 2026 — not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm with the New Jersey commissioning authority. PrepTempo is not affiliated with any state authority or the National Notary Association.