NJ vs. NY Notary Public Requirements
New Jersey and New York both commission notaries public, but differ on journal requirements, identification standards, notarial act types, and remote online notarization rules.
Not legal advice. This page summarizes publicly available statutory requirements for informational purposes only. Requirements can change. Consult a licensed attorney in the applicable state for advice specific to your situation.
Direct Answer
New Jersey notaries must maintain a notarial journal for all notarial acts (N.J.S.A. 52:7-21). New York notaries are not required to maintain a journal. Both states require satisfactory evidence of identity, but New Jersey's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts provides more detailed identification standards.
A notary public is a state-commissioned official authorized to perform notarial acts — including acknowledgments, jurats, and copy certifications. Both New Jersey and New York commission notaries, but the requirements for commissioning, practice, and record-keeping differ.
For clients and attorneys working across both states, understanding these differences helps ensure documents are properly executed and accepted by courts, financial institutions, and government agencies.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Requirement | New Jersey | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Commission term | 5 years | 4 years |
| Notarial journal | Required for all notarial acts (N.J.S.A. 52:7-21) | Not required |
| Identity verification | Detailed standards under Revised Uniform Law (N.J.S.A. 52:7-19) | Satisfactory evidence of identity (Executive Law § 137) |
| Remote online notarization | Authorized under N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.1 through 52:7-10.3 (2021 RULONA amendments) | Authorized (Executive Law § 135-c) |
| Notarial seal | Required; must include name, commission number, state | Required; must include name, county of qualification, state |
| Authorized notarial acts | Acknowledgments, jurats, copy certifications, signature witnessing, verification on oath | Acknowledgments, jurats, copy certifications, oaths and affirmations |
| County qualification | Commissioned statewide | Qualified in one county; must file in additional counties to act there |
Commission term
New Jersey
5 years
New York
4 years
Notarial journal
New Jersey
Required for all notarial acts (N.J.S.A. 52:7-21)
New York
Not required
Identity verification
New Jersey
Detailed standards under Revised Uniform Law (N.J.S.A. 52:7-19)
New York
Satisfactory evidence of identity (Executive Law § 137)
Remote online notarization
New Jersey
Authorized under N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.1 through 52:7-10.3 (2021 RULONA amendments)
New York
Authorized (Executive Law § 135-c)
Notarial seal
New Jersey
Required; must include name, commission number, state
New York
Required; must include name, county of qualification, state
Authorized notarial acts
New Jersey
Acknowledgments, jurats, copy certifications, signature witnessing, verification on oath
New York
Acknowledgments, jurats, copy certifications, oaths and affirmations
County qualification
New Jersey
Commissioned statewide
New York
Qualified in one county; must file in additional counties to act there
New Jersey Notary Requirements
New Jersey notaries are commissioned by the State Treasurer for a 5-year term under N.J.S.A. 52:7-10. New Jersey adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), which provides detailed standards for identity verification, notarial certificates, and journal requirements.
New Jersey notaries must maintain a notarial journal recording each notarial act, including the date, type of act, document description, signer's name and address, and the identification method used. The journal must be retained for 10 years after the last entry.
New Jersey's identification standards under N.J.S.A. 52:7-19 specify acceptable forms of ID, including passports, driver's licenses, and other government-issued photo IDs. Personal knowledge and credible witnesses are also recognized methods.
New Jersey authorizes remote online notarization (RON) under N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.1 through 52:7-10.3, enacted as part of the 2021 RULONA amendments. RON is available for documents executed by signers who are not physically present, subject to technology and identity verification requirements.
New York Notary Requirements
New York notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State for a 4-year term under Executive Law § 130. New York has not adopted RULONA and operates under its own Notary Public Law, published by the Department of State.
New York does not require notaries to maintain a journal. Notaries must qualify in a specific county and must file their commission in any additional county where they regularly practice.
New York's identification standard requires 'satisfactory evidence of identity,' which is defined by practice and DOS guidance rather than a detailed statutory list. Government-issued photo ID is the standard in practice.
New York authorized remote online notarization under Executive Law § 135-c. RON in New York requires use of an approved RON platform and audio-visual communication technology meeting state standards.
Key Differences to Know
Related Resources
Glossary Terms
Official Sources
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