Obtaining your Notary Public license in New Jersey involves a straightforward process with specific steps:
1. Eligibility Requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Be a resident of New Jersey or employed in the state
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude
2. Application and Training:
- Application: Choose between online ($30) or paper ($25) application on the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) website. You’ll need to acknowledge the Notary Public Manual and provide supporting documents like proof of identity and residency.
- Training: Complete a notary public education course approved by the New Jersey Secretary of State. NNA and Notary Public University offer online options.
3. Exam and Oath:
- Exam: Pass the state-administered notary public exam, offered at various locations throughout New Jersey. You can schedule your exam online.
- Oath: Within 90 days of receiving your commission certificate, take the oath of office at your county clerk’s office.
Additional Resources:
- NJ Notary Public Program FAQ: https://www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/pdf/NotaryFAQ.pdf
- Notary Public Application: https://www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/dcr/pdforms/notapp.pdf
- NJ Notary Public Manual: https://www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/pdf/NotaryPublicManual.pdf
- National Notary Association – New Jersey: https://www.nationalnotary.org/new-jersey/become-a-notary
Tips:
- Start early as processing times can vary.
- Choose a convenient exam location and date.
- Review the Notary Public Manual thoroughly.
- Consider joining a professional notary association for ongoing support and resources.
Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions about the process or need further guidance on any step. I’m here to help!