Loading...
Loading...
Notary Public
Governing Authority
Massachusetts Governor and Council (administered by Secretary of the Commonwealth)
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
7 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
You must be a legal resident of Massachusetts (or maintain a place of business there), be at least 18 years old, and be able to read and write English. You cannot have a disqualifying criminal record.
Submit your application to the Massachusetts Governor and Council (administered by Secretary of the Commonwealth). Application fee: $60 commissioning fee, paid upon qualification after approval notification.
Purchase an official notary stamp or seal that meets Massachusetts requirements. Typical cost: $20-$40. Total estimated startup cost: $80-$100.
Once approved, you will receive your notary commission, valid for 7 years. You can then begin performing notarial acts in Massachusetts. Remote online notarization (RON) is also permitted.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must live or work in the Commonwealth.
Citizenship
No specific citizenship requirement stated
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a notary license? Check whether your state requires one.
Education
Not RequiredNo education course required.
Exam
Not RequiredNo exam required.
Compare top-rated notary education providers in Massachusetts.
Browse Notary Public study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Surety Bond
Not RequiredNo bond required in Massachusetts.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredNot required. Optional E&O insurance is personal choice.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredOfficial seal mandatory. Must include name, 'Notary Public', 'Commonwealth of Massachusetts', and commission expiration date.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $60 commissioning fee, paid upon qualification after approval notification |
Bond Premium No bond required | N/A |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors | $20-$40 |
Total Estimated Cost Commission fee + seal | $80-$100 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Obtain 4 signatures from known and respected community members
Provide current resume
Submit application to Secretary of the Commonwealth
Wait for Governor and Council approval (2-3 weeks)
Pay $60 commissioning fee
Purchase notary seal and journal (both mandatory)
Commission Term
7 years
Renewal Process
Submit renewal application. Processing takes 2-3 weeks.
Renewal Fee
$60 (same fee schedule as initial commission)
Massachusetts authorizes remote online notarization.
Additional Requirements
Must comply with Massachusetts RON requirements.
What Makes Massachusetts Unique
Massachusetts requires 4 community member signatures and Governor/Council approval. Journal is mandatory. Commission term is 7 years. The application fee is $60 commissioning fee, paid upon qualification after approval notification. Neighboring states include Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, each with their own notary public requirements.
Massachusetts has a 7-year commission term.
Requires 4 community member signatures on application.
Governor and Council must approve the appointment.
Notary journal is mandatory.
No bond, exam, or education required. Massachusetts does not impose this requirement on notary publics at the state level.
Massachusetts permits Remote Online Notarization (RON), enabling notaries to perform notarizations via audio-video technology for signers located anywhere.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to obtain a notary public credential in Massachusetts.
Notary requirements in nearby states
| State | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (you) | 4–17 wks | |
| Connecticut | 4–17 wks | → |
| Maine | 4–17 wks | → |
| New Hampshire | 4–17 wks | → |
| New York | 4–17 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Massachusetts
See how Massachusetts compares: Notary License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare notary requirements across all states →
Notary licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure notary is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Massachusetts compare to other states for notary? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your notary license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Massachusetts.
Not sure this is the right career? Take a 2-minute quiz →
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the best-fit licensed profession.
Official Sources
Notary requirements in Massachusetts verified against Massachusetts Governor and Council (administered by Secretary of the Commonwealth), April 2026.
Moving to Massachusetts? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Notary license to Massachusetts →
Transfer your Notary license from Massachusetts to: Connecticut → | New Hampshire → | New York → | Rhode Island → | Vermont →
Study guides and practice tests for the notary public exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.