Journal Requirements in New Jersey
New Jersey does not require a notary journal for traditional in-person paper notarizations. N.J.S.A. 52:7-19 et seq. governs New Jersey notaries, and while the statute sets out notary duties and prohibitions, it does not impose a journal mandate for standard acts. New Jersey enacted RON legislation effective February 2022 under P.L. 2021, c. 203. For remote online notarizations, New Jersey requires an electronic journal and audio-visual recording retained for a minimum of 10 years — among the longer retention periods in the country. New Jersey's 5-year commission term is slightly longer than the 4-year term common in most states. The state does not require a surety bond, which lowers the entry cost for new notaries. For signing agents operating in the New Jersey real estate market — which includes the densely populated suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia — most title companies and signing services expect agents to maintain a voluntary journal regardless of the legal requirement.
New Jersey Notary Commission Quick Facts
| Element | New Jersey Requirement |
|---|---|
| Governing authority | nj.gov/treasury/revenue/dcr/filing/notary |
| Commission term | 5 years |
| Bond required | No bond required |
| Exam/training | No exam required |
| Journal (paper notarizations) | Not required — recommended |
| Journal (electronic/RON) | Required — 10 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. New Jersey does not require an exam or training course for a standard notary commission. Applicants must be at least 18, a New Jersey resident or regularly employed in the state, and submit an application through the New Jersey Department of Treasury. The commission is valid for 5 years.
New Jersey allows notaries to charge a maximum of $2.50 per notarial act for traditional paper notarizations. This cap applies to the notarial act itself, not to travel fees or signing agent appointment fees, which are separately negotiated commercial arrangements.
Yes. A journal provides contemporaneous documentation of every notarial act. In the event of a fraud allegation, a dispute about whether a document was signed, or a complaint to the Secretary of State, your journal is your primary defense. Professional signing agents in New Jersey maintain journals as standard practice regardless of the legal mandate.
Standard government-issued photo identification is accepted: state driver’s license or ID card, U.S. passport or passport card, military ID, and permanent resident card. Always verify current New Jersey statutes for any state-specific variations. When in doubt, require documentary ID rather than relying on personal knowledge of the signer.
New Jersey does not have a separate state-issued notary signing agent certification. The notary commission is the legal credential. Most signing services and title companies operating in New Jersey require NNA certification, a current background check, and E&O insurance at $100,000 or more as vendor requirements.