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How to Become a Notary in Massachusetts

To become a notary in Massachusetts, you must:

  1. Meet the eligibility requirements listed in the next section.
  2. Print and complete a notary public application.
  3. Have the application signed by four individuals; one of whom must be a member of the bar in good standing.
  4. Have the notary application notarized by an active notary public.
  5. Staple an up-to-date resume to the end of your application.
  6. Staple a business card to the upper left corner of the first page of the application (if applicable).
  7. Submit the completed and notarized application, with all pages stapled together, to the Massachusetts Notary Public Office.

When your application is favorably considered, you will be notified by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. The notification will include instructions on how to be sworn in as a notary public and the method for paying the $60 commission fee to the secretary.

Who can become a notary public in Massachusetts?

To become a notary public in Massachusetts, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Be at least eighteen years of age.
  2. Reside or have a regular place of work or business within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This Massachusetts notary guide will help you understand:

Apply Online Renew Online

How do I renew my notary commission in Massachusetts?

The Secretary of the Commonwealth mails renewal applications automatically to Massachusetts notaries five weeks before a notary’s commission expires. “Renewal applications are not available online” (Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website, “Notary Public Renewal”). If you have not received a renewal application, it may be due to a change of your address. If you do not receive an application, contact the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The renewal process is the same as the process of becoming a notary.

Who appoints notaries in Massachusetts?

The governor appoints Massachusetts notaries public with the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. The Public Records Division in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office processes renewal notary applications, updates notaries’ record information, maintains notaries’ appointments, and authenticates their notarial acts.

Office of the Governor 
Notary Public Office 

State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 184
Boston, MA 02133-1058
(617) 725-4016 

Secretary of the Commonwealth
Commissions Section
One Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-2836
Fax: (617) 727-5914

Can a non-resident of Massachusetts apply for a commission as a notary public?

Yes. An individual who is not a resident of Massachusetts may apply for a Massachusetts notary public commission if they have a regular place of work or business within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Nonresident applicants seeking a Massachusetts notary commission must follow the same steps outlined in the “To become a notary in Massachusetts” section. 

How long is a notary public's commission term in Massachusetts?

The commission term of a Massachusetts notary public is seven years. A notary cannot notarize documents after their notary commission expires without first renewing their notary commission with the secretary of state.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Massachusetts?

New and renewing applicants seeking appointments as Massachusetts notaries public are not required to take any training or pass an exam. However, all applicants must read Chapter 222 of the General Laws and agree to comply with all its terms.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Massachusetts?

The cost to become a notary in Massachusetts includes:

  • The fee to have the notary application notarized.
  • A $60.00 notary commission fee. 
  • The price of a notary stamp. Click here to view our notary stamp prices.
  • The price of a notary journal. Click here to view our notary journal prices.
  • The fee for an errors and omissions insurance policy (optional). This insurance policy is designed to protect you if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you.

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Massachusetts?

A notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not required to become a Massachusetts notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Massachusetts notary obtain a notary E&O insurance policy. This insurance protects you from a claim if a client sues you as a notary. A notary E&O policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage you select as a Massachusetts notary public.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts does not require notary applicants to provide proof of a notary bond when applying to become notary publics or when renewing their notary public commissions.

Note: Notary publics are liable to any person for damages that result from their negligence, errors, official malfeasance, or omissions. Massachusetts notaries are encouraged to purchase a notary E&O insurance policy to insure themselves against such claims.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Massachusetts?

Yes. The Massachusetts notary statute requires you to use an official notarial seal to authenticate all notarial acts. If a notarial seal that requires ink is employed, black ink shall be used.

The notarial seal must include the following:

  1. The notary public’s name exactly as indicated on the commission.
  2. The words “Notary Public.”
  3. The words “Commonwealth of Massachusetts” or “Massachusetts.”
  4. The words “My commission expires (date).”
  5. A facsimile of the seal of the Commonwealth.

Note: The Massachusetts notary statute does not provide information on the shape and dimensions of a notary seal.

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and seals at savings of up to 40% or more compared to the same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Massachusetts notary stamp, complete notary package, and other notary supplies.

What are the steps to replace a lost or stolen Massachusetts notary seal?

If you lose or have your notary seal stolen contact the Public Records Division in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office at (617) 727-2836.

How much can a Massachusetts notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

The maximum allowable fees that a Massachusetts notary public may charge for notarial acts are not set by state statutes, except under MGL c.262, § 41 and MGL c.222, § 23.

Is a notary journal required in Massachusetts?

Notary Journal requirements for each type of notarization in Massachusetts: 

For traditional and remote notarizations – A Massachusetts notary performing traditional notarizations is required to maintain an official journal of notarial acts. A journal may be created on a fixed tangible medium or in an electronic format. If the journal is maintained on a tangible medium, it shall be a permanent, bound register with numbered pages. If the journal is maintained in an electronic format, it shall be in a permanent, tamper-evident electronic format complying with the rules of the secretary, including rules concerning the regular transfer of electronic journal entries to the secretary. 

NOTE:

  • A notary public can maintain only one tangible notary journal at a time but can maintain more than one electronic notary journal at a time.
  • A notary journal is not required for a notary public who is an attorney admitted to practice law in any jurisdiction or who is employed by any such attorney.
  • A notary public who works for a government entity is not required to maintain a journal for the notarial acts performed in the course of that employment.

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery or fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices.

The American Association of Notaries offers notary journals in tangible and electronic formats.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

Click here to become a member and access your electronic notary journal.

What information must Massachusetts notaries record in their notary journals?

For every notarial act, except for the issuance of a summons or subpoena or the administration of an oral oath, a Massachusetts notary public is required to record the following information in a notary journal:

  1. The date and time of the notarial act, proceeding or transaction.
  2. The type of notarial act.
  3. The type and title or a description of the document, transaction, or proceeding; provided, however, that if multiple documents are signed by the same principal in the course of a transaction or during a single date, a single journal entry shall be sufficient.
  4. The signature and printed name and address of each principal and witness; if a principal or witness informs the notary public that the principal or witness is a battered person, the notary public shall make a note in the journal that the person's address shall not be subject to public inspection.
  5. A description of the satisfactory evidence of identity of each person, including:
    • A notation of the type of identification document, the issuing agency, its serial or identification number and its date of issuance or expiration. If the identification number on the document is the person's social security number, then, instead of including the number, the notary public shall write in the words “Social Security number” or the acronym “SSN.”
    • A notation if the notary public identified the individual on the oath or affirmation of a credible witness or based on the notary public's personal knowledge of the individual.
  6. A notation indicating whether the notarial act was conducted in person or remotely.
  7. The fee, if any, charged for the notarial act, including whether a technology service fee was charged and the amount of the technology services fee.
  8. The address where the notarization was performed, unless the notarial act was performed remotely, in which case the notary shall include the address of the notary and each principal and witness.

Important:

  • A notary public may not record a social security or credit card number in the journal.
  • A notary public must record in the journal the reason for not completing a notarial act requested by a principal.

What steps should I take if my Massachusetts notary journal is lost or stolen?

Massachusetts notary laws do not address this question. We recommend you contact the appropriate law enforcement agency and the Public Records Division in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office.

How long should I retain my Massachusetts notary journal?

Massachusetts notaries public must retain their notary journals and records for seven years after their notary commissions expire or are resigned or revoked.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Massachusetts?

As a Massachusetts notary public, you may perform notarial acts anywhere within the geographic borders of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You cannot perform notarial acts if you are physically outside the Commonwealth.

What notarial acts can a Massachusetts notary public perform?

A Massachusetts notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts:

  1. Acknowledgments.
  2. Oaths and affirmations.
  3. Jurats.
  4. Signature witnessing.
  5. Copy certifications.
  6. Issuing summonses for witnesses pursuant to Section 1 of Chapter 233.
  7. Issuing subpoenas
  8. Witnessing the opening of a bank safe, vault, or box pursuant to Section 32 of Chapter 167.
  9. Protests.

What kind of notarizations are allowed in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts law allows the following three types of notarizations:

Traditional notarization – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. Traditional notarization involves an individual signing a tangible document with an inked pen and a notary public signing and affixing an inked notary stamp impression to the tangible notarial certificate.

Electronic notarizations (in person) – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. However, the notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

Remote notarization – The signer appears remotely before a remote notary via audio-visual communication technology. The notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

What are the steps to become an electronic notary in Massachusetts?

As of January 1, 2024 Massachusetts House Bill 58 permits notaries to register with the secretary to perform notarizations on electronic records. As of this time, the secretary has not drafted rules on how to become an electronic notary in Massachusetts.

For more information on how to register as an electronic notary visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ website.

What are the steps to become a remote online notary in Massachusetts?

As of January 1, 2024 Massachusetts House Bill 58 permits notaries to register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to perform notarizations for remotely located individuals. As of this time, the secretary has not drafted rules on how to become a remote notary in Massachusetts.

For more information on how to register as a remote notary, visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ website.

How do I update my address on my Massachusetts notary commission?

Within ten days after a change of residence, business address, or mailing address, you must send a signed notice of the change and provide both the old and new information to the secretary. 
You can also contact the Public Records Division in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office at (617) 727-2836 to update your notary information.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Massachusetts?

Within ten days after a change to the name on your notary public commission, you must send a signed notice of the change and provide both the old and new information to the secretary. 
You can also contact the Public Records Division in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office at (617) 727-2836 to change the name on your notary commission.

Revised:

January 2024

Legal disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. We do not claim to be attorneys and we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. You should always seek the advice of a licensed attorney for any legal matters. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate notary laws governing your state. In no event shall the American Association of Notaries, its employees, or contractors be liable to you for any claims, penalties, losses, damages, or expenses, howsoever arising, including, and without limitation, direct or indirect loss, or consequential loss, out of or in connection with the use of the information contained on any of the American Association of Notaries website pages. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of their state’s notary authorities or attorneys if they have legal questions. 

Notary bonds and errors and omissions insurance policies provided by this insurance agency, American Association of Notaries, Inc., are underwritten by Western Surety Company, Universal Surety of America, or Surety Bonding Company of America, which are subsidiaries of CNA Surety.