Notary Application, Commission, and Fees
Eligibility and Application
New Jersey notary applicants must meet the statutory eligibility requirements - generally being at least 18, a resident of or maintaining a place of business in the state (with specific rules for non-residents), and being of good moral character. The application is filed with the state and requires a fee and, where applicable, a surety bond or commission fee. Trap: questions that describe an applicant who meets age and residency but omits the application/fee/oath steps - the commission is not effective until every step is completed.
The Commission Term and Oath
A commission runs for a fixed statutory term (commonly five years) and must be renewed before expiration; practicing on an expired commission is a violation. Many jurisdictions require the notary to take an oath of office and file it before acting. The notary may act only within the commissioned term - acts performed after expiration are invalid.
The Seal and Signature
On commissioning, the notary obtains a seal (or stamp) bearing the required information, including the notary's name and commission expiration. The notary must sign exactly as commissioned. A notary who changes their name must update the commission. Losing or misplacing the seal should be reported, and the seal must be kept secure to prevent misuse.
Fees
Notaries may charge only the statutory fee per notarial act; the fee schedule is fixed by statute and cannot be negotiated upward. Travel fees, if permitted, are separate from the per-act fee and must be disclosed. Trap: questions that let the notary "charge whatever the market will bear" are wrong - the fee is capped.
Worked Example
An applicant passes the eligibility check and pays the fee but never takes the required oath or files it. The applicant is not a commissioned notary and any act performed is invalid. Completing the paperwork is not the same as holding the commission.
Rule of Thumb
Eligible → Applied → Oath filed → Seal in hand → Commission active. Skip a step and you cannot act.