How to Become a Notary Public in Connecticut

The state application filing fee is $120 for new Notaries and $60 for renewing Notaries. There is a $10 fee to file your certificate with the clerk of the town. The cost of your optional seal and journal will vary based on the vendor you choose.

The cost of commissioning can differ depending on whether you are a new or renewing Notary. Supply package prices vary among vendors. New Notaries may need more how-to assistance than experienced Notaries. Books, training and live expert assistance are often must-haves for most new Notaries.

Some vendors may package items with additional fees — processing fees for example. Training can be included in package prices for new Notaries, although the quality of education can vary. Some providers offer their own Notary courses while others do not have the on-staff expertise to develop and support educational content. Several vendors offer Notaries live question and answer support, and others are not able to offer such assistance.

It can take five to seven business days to become commissioned as a Connecticut Notary Public. This depends on your availability and the time the Secretary of State needs to process your application and email your Certificate of Appointment.

The term of a Connecticut Notary commission is five years. Each term is separate.

There are basic qualifications for a person to become a Notary in Connecticut. All applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a resident of or have a principal place of business in Connecticut
• Not have been convicted of a felony or other crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude
• Not have had a Notary commission or professional license revoked, suspended, or restricted in Connecticut or another state
• Not have been previously engaged in notarial misconduct

Training is not required for Connecticut Notaries, but the Secretary of State recommends reviewing the Notary Public Manual to prepare for the state-required exam.

Yes. Passing an exam is required to become a Notary in Connecticut. The exam is part of the online application, and all questions must be answered correctly to receive your commission.

Using a Notary seal and journal is not required but considered a best practice for Notaries. If you do choose to get a Notary seal, it must be an inked stamp or embosser and contain the following information:

• Your name as it appears on your commission
• The words "Notary Public"
• The word "Connecticut"
• The words "My commission expires _______ (date)" (optional)

If you do not include your commission expiration date on your seal, you may have a separate stamp with that information, as it is required on all notarial acts performed. For notarizations that require your actual signature, make sure your signature matches your name as it appears on your commission certificate.

When shopping for seal stamps, quality and durability can vary greatly among vendors. Stamps should not bleed during or after use, as this can cause county officials to reject documents due to smudging. A second seal can help you avoid downtime if your seal is ever misplaced, and an embosser can help add an additional layer of fraud prevention security.

While a Notary journal is not required by law, Connecticut strongly recommends Notaries use a Notary record book. When purchasing a journal, there are a few important features to which you must pay close attention. A journal with numbered pages and tamper-proof sewn construction allows Notaries to identify missing pages in their journals, which becomes extremely helpful if you're ever named in a lawsuit. Simple notebooks or glue-bound journals simply do not offer the same level of security.

Supplies are sold by most vendors in packages, which can sometimes provide savings. However, not all vendor packages are created equal — they can vary greatly in terms of quality and content. If you are a new Notary or renewing your commission, the types and quantity of notarizations can require different tools of the trade.

No. A bond is not required for Connecticut Notaries. However, many choose to purchase optional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policies to protect themselves from legal expenses. E&O insurance is not a requirement in Connecticut.

The Secretary of State, Business Services Division, located in Hartford, CT, issues Notary Public commissions.

You can find several reputable Notary Public training providers with a quick online search. It's important to note that the Secretary of State does not provide workshops or seminars, nor does the Secretary endorse any business that advertises Notary Public training. Since the Secretary of State doesn't have jurisdiction to take action regarding a business that offers Notary training, make sure you thoroughly review any company you plan to work with.

Yes. Several companies offer Notary training, supplies, insurance and assistance with the entire application process. Also, the Secretary of State's website has the application (for new Notaries only) with submission details, if you want to get the process started on your own.

You will be able to notarize anywhere in the state of Connecticut.

You can notarize for everyone, excluding yourself. You cannot notarize your own signature, nor can you notarize documents you are named in or would benefit from. While Connecticut law doesn't specifically prohibit you from notarizing for a spouse or relative, the state strongly advises against it as your role as an impartial witness may be called into question if brought up in court. If you perform notarizations as part of your employment, your employer may limit the notarizations you perform during your work hours.

Connecticut Notaries may charge up to $5 per notarial act. An additional $0.35 per mile may also be charged. As a best practice, inform signers of your notarial fees and the separate travel fee in advance to avoid any confusion.

You must report any changes to your address or name to the Secretary of State within 30 days of the change. If you move, email crd@ct.gov to receive a password reset link to your eLicense account. From there, you'll be able to update your address in your account free of charge.

For name changes, you must complete the Notary Public Change of Name form and email it to crd@ct.gov. You'll receive an email with an invoice to pay the $15 statutory fee for a name change. Once the Secretary receives your fee, it will email you a certificate with your new name. You do not need to record your new Certificate of Appointment unless you've also updated your personal or business address. You must, however, get a new seal with your new name if you use one.

It depends. Even the most careful and detail-oriented people can make mistakes. As a Notary Public, any unintentional mistake you make or intentional misconduct you engage in could be very costly for everyone involved. Notaries have been sued for financial damages that signers incur, and lawsuits are expensive even if you're innocent. If you are diligent in following the law and keep thorough records, you'll be better prepared if any legal action does come your way.

You will be sent a renewal application 90 days before your commission expires. The renewal application fee is $60. You may purchase a new Notary seal to reflect your updated commission expiration date. You may also choose to get a new record book (journal) if your old one is full. If you miss the 90-day window, you must submit a reinstatement notice to SOS by email to crd@ct.gov.

Connecticut Notaries are authorized to remotely notarize certain paper documents. The Notary and the signer must be able to communicate simultaneously, in real-time, by sight and sound using communication technology.

A Notary in Connecticut is prohibited from remotely notarizing certain estate, healthcare, and real property documents. These include wills, living wills, codicils, trusts, estate division agreements, healthcare directives, standby guardianship papers, powers of attorney, and real estate closing packages.

The Secretary of State is researching whether the law allows remote notarization of electronic documents, and strongly recommends that remote notarizations only be performed for paper documents.