New Jersey Notary Association

10/22/2026

NOTARIES: WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

A customer walks into your office with a document that needs notarization.

They hand you their identification, you review the document, and everything appears to be in order.

There's just one problem.

The document was already signed before they arrived.

Can you still notarize it?

A. No. Every document must be signed in front of the notary.

B. Yes. A previously signed document can always be notarized.

C. It depends on the type of notarial act being performed.

Drop your answer in the comments!

We'll share the correct answer and explain the rules.

Because knowing how to use a notary stamp is one thing. Understanding the responsibilities that come with it is another.

New Jersey Notary Association

Education. Advocacy. Professionalism.

10/14/2026

Join us at Atlantic Cape Community College for our Garden State Notary course this Saturday, October 17th! Seats are still available. Enroll at:

Offered through a partnership with the New Jersey Notary Association, this 6-hour New Jersey Notary Public education course is designed to comply with the mandatory education requirement for new Notary Public commissions in the State of New Jersey. It prepares applicants to perform their duties with...

10/04/2026

New Jersey notaries are required to rely on the State's education materials to understand their duties.

So what happens when those materials are incomplete, inconsistent, or even quote the law incorrectly?

The New Jersey Notary Association has completed a new Gap Analysis of the latest New Jersey Notary Public Manual.

Our review identifies continuing deficiencies, newly introduced concerns, missing statutory guidance, internal inconsistencies, and errors within the Treasury's official educational material.

These findings add to a larger concern about how New Jersey's notary education program is being administered, including whether the Treasury has the staffing, resources, and institutional attention necessary to properly carry out the responsibilities assigned to it by law.

Read our updated Education Findings Report and the new Gap Analysis here: https://www.newjerseynotaryassociation.org/education-findings-report

08/22/2026

A New Jersey Notary was recently called to an attorney’s client to notarize an important document. There was just one issue:

The signer’s New Jersey driver’s license had expired about 45 days earlier.

Can the Notary still proceed?

Yes.

In New Jersey a passport, driver’s license, or government-issued non-driver identification card may be used if it is current or expired not more than three years before the notarial act, as long as the regulations are followed.

The notarization was completed, and detailed notes were made in the Notary’s journal documenting the expired credential and the Notary’s determination that the identification satisfactorily established the signer’s identity.

This is exactly why knowing New Jersey-specific notary law matters.

NJNA members have access to a community focused specifically on the laws, regulations, procedures, and real-world situations New Jersey Notaries encounter.

Not an NJNA member yet?

Membership is just $35 per year and gives you access to educational resources, member discussions, procedural support, and a statewide community of New Jersey Notaries.

Don’t wait until you’re standing in front of a signer wondering what New Jersey law allows.

Join the New Jersey Notary Association and be better prepared before the question comes up.

www.newjerseynotaryassociation.org

07/03/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day from the New Jersey Notary Association! 🇺🇸

Today we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the enduring principles of liberty, justice, and public service that continue to shape our nation.

As New Jersey Notaries Public, we are entrusted with a unique responsibility. Every day, we help protect the integrity of important transactions, prevent fraud, and serve our communities with impartiality, professionalism, and integrity. It is a public office built on trust, and one we are proud to uphold.

Whether you're spending the day with family, attending a community event, or enjoying a well deserved break, we wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July.

Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence and for helping strengthen public confidence in the notarial office.

Happy Fourth of July!

The New Jersey Notary Association

Where Education Drives Integrity and Compliance.

06/03/2026

Have You Visited the NJNA Resource Center?

Whether you're a newly commissioned notary or have years of experience, finding reliable New Jersey-specific notary information can be challenging. That's why NJNA created the Resource Center.

The Resource Center includes free resources designed to help New Jersey notaries perform their duties with confidence, including:

✔ Free loose notarial certificates
✔ Educational guides and reference materials
✔ Sample forms and documents
✔ Compliance-focused resources
✔ Practical tools for everyday notarizations

One of our newest additions is a collection of free loose certificates that include document identification fields designed to help create a stronger connection between the certificate and the document being notarized. These forms may be copied, shared, and used by any notary, whether or not they are an NJNA member.

Remember, while quality forms and certificates are important, your notary journal remains your most important protection. New Jersey requires notaries to maintain a journal of all notarial acts performed, and detailed journal entries can provide critical evidence if a notarization is ever questioned.

The Resource Center is continually expanding as we develop new educational materials and practical tools for New Jersey notaries.

Visit the Resource Center today and explore the growing collection of free resources available to the notary community.

newjerseynotaryassociation.org/resource-center

Not a member yet? NJNA membership is only $35 per year and includes access to more than 7 hours of New Jersey-specific notary education, professional resources, legislative updates, networking opportunities, and member support.

06/01/2026

DID YOU KNOW?

A notary can refuse a notarization, even when the signer has valid identification.

Many people assume a notary's job begins and ends with checking ID. In reality, identity verification is only one part of the process.

A notary must also be satisfied that the signer is acting willingly, understands what they are signing, and is aware of the transaction taking place.

If a signer appears confused, disoriented, pressured by another person, or unable to communicate an understanding of the document, the notary has a responsibility to stop and assess the situation. In some cases, the correct decision is to refuse the notarization.

This isn't about making life difficult for the signer. It's about protecting the signer, protecting the integrity of the document, and protecting the notary's commission.

One of the most important responsibilities a notary has is knowing when not to proceed.

Have you ever had to decline a notarization? What were the circumstances?

05/31/2026

DID YOU KNOW?

Many New Jersey notaries believe they must use an embosser or raised seal on every notarization.

That's not true.

New Jersey law does not require notaries to use an embosser. A notary's official stamp and signature are sufficient when performing a notarial act.

Unfortunately, myths and misinformation continue to circulate throughout the notary community. Understanding the difference between legal requirements and industry traditions can help you stay compliant and avoid unnecessary expenses.

That's exactly why the New Jersey Notary Association exists.

NJNA members receive access to over 7 hours of New Jersey-specific notary education, compliance resources, networking opportunities, and ongoing updates about changes affecting New Jersey notaries.

Membership is just $35 per year.

Join today and make sure you're getting your information from a trusted source.

05/28/2026

Most notary mistakes don’t happen because someone is careless. They happen because nobody taught the notary what to watch for.

A missing certificate.
An incomplete document.
Improper identification.
One small oversight can create major problems.

The best notaries never stop learning.

Join the New Jersey Notary Association community for practical guidance and education, real-world discussions, updates on New Jersey notary law, and support from notaries across the state.

Professional notaries are built through education, experience, and community.

Become a member today.

05/26/2026

Did You Know?

In New Jersey, licensed attorneys can legally take acknowledgments and proofs of ex*****on on certain documents without holding a notary public commission.

Under N.J.S.A. 46:14-6.1, attorneys-at-law are specifically authorized by statute to perform these limited document ex*****on functions alongside notaries public and other public officers.

Important distinction:
Attorneys are not automatically “notaries.” Their authority is limited to specific acknowledgment and proof functions under New Jersey property law.

Another interesting fact:
New Jersey acknowledgment law does not require a seal for validity under N.J.S.A. 46:14-2.1, although some agencies and out-of-state institutions may still expect traditional notary formatting.