How to Become a Notary Public in Massachusetts

Checked against Governor and Governor's Council (appointment); Notary Public Office, Secretary of the Commonwealth (commission and fee) · Verified 2026-10-10

Exam: Not required
Training: Not required
Term: 7 years
State fee: $60
Bond: None stated
Commissioned by: Governor and Governor's Council (appointment); Notary Public Office, Secretary of the Commonwealth (commission and fee)

Take the free notary practice test →

Who can apply

Be at least 18 years old.
Live in Massachusetts or have a regular place of work or business there.
Read Chapter 222 of the General Laws and agree to follow it.
The Governor may deny you for a misstatement on the application, certain convictions, fraud findings, or a past revoked commission or license.

Step by step

Download the notary public application from Mass.gov.
Fill it out and attach an up-to-date resume.
Sign the application before a current Massachusetts notary.
Get 4 references who know you to sign it. One must be an attorney.
Staple all pages together and mail it to the Notary Public Office, State House, Room 184, 24 Beacon Street, Boston. Do not send a fee.
Wait for the Governor and Governor's Council to approve you. The notice includes swearing-in instructions.
Pay the $60 commission fee and take the oath as instructed.

Official application →

No state exam here, but notaries are liable for mistakes. Check your notary knowledge with the free practice test →

What it costs in Massachusetts

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Notarization of your application$
Commission fee (Secretary of the Commonwealth, paid after approval)$60
Notary seal or stamp$
Notary journal$

Estimated total in Massachusetts$60Plus 3 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Notary seal or stamp
Notary journal (required by Chapter 222, with some exemptions)
Notarization of your application

How long it takes

Mass.gov says it takes about 2 weeks from mailing your completed application to getting written notice of your appointment, which includes swearing-in instructions.

What other sites get wrong about Massachusetts

Myth: Massachusetts law caps notary fees at small amounts like $1 or $1.25 per act.

Fact: The Supreme Judicial Court held in Richardson v. The UPS Store (2020) that the $1.25 cap in G.L. c. 262, section 41 applies only to 'noting' a dishonored negotiable instrument; it does not limit fees for other notarial acts. source

After you're commissioned

Renewal: Contact the Public Records Division in the Secretary's office (617-727-2836) to renew; the Governor may decline to renew a notary for misconduct.

Remote online notarization: Yes. Under M.G.L. c. 222, section 28, a notary physically in Massachusetts may notarize remotely after registering as a remote notary with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and using a provider on the state registry; wills and election records are excluded.

Good to know in Massachusetts

What you can charge: Massachusetts sets no general fee cap. The Supreme Judicial Court held in Richardson v. The UPS Store (2020) that the $1.25 limit in G.L. c. 262, section 41 applies only to 'noting' a dishonored negotiable instrument.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Governor and Governor's Council (appointment); Notary Public Office, Secretary of the Commonwealth (commission and fee) before you apply.