Applicants who want to become a CT Notary Public must complete the following steps:
- Meet Connecticut's eligibility requirements.
- Review the Notary Public Manual to prepare for the state-required exam.
- Complete a Jurat and Writing Sample in your own handwriting.
- Print out the Certificate of Character and have it completed.
- Complete your application and exam, and pay the $120 filing fee online.
- Receive an email with your Certificate of Appointment.
- File the certificate and take your oath of office at the clerk of the town.
About the Connecticut Notary Process
The term of a Connecticut Notary commission is five years. Each term is separate. Learn more about applying for a Notary Public commission in the Constitution State.
Cost to Become a CT Notary
The cost to become a Connecticut Notary is $240. However, the total cost will depend on purchasing Notary insurance or supplies that will make your job easier.
| Expense |
Cost |
| Application filing fee |
$120 |
| Clerk of the Town recording fee |
$120 |
| Total Cost |
$240 |
Commission Processing Time
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.
Connecticut Notary Public Requirements
Wondering if you have what it takes to become a CT Notary? Read on below.
Eligibility
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
Exam
Applicants must pass the exam included in the online Notary Public application form. All questions must be answered correctly to pass.
You can prepare for the exam by reviewing the Notary Public Manual.
Jurat and Writing Sample
Complete a Jurat and Writing Sample in your own handwriting. The Jurat must be subscribed and sworn to before a person authorized to administer an oath.
Certificate of Character
Print out the Certificate of Character and ask a public official, or a professional person unrelated to you and have personally known you for at least a year, to complete the form.
Application
Register for an account on the eLicense website to complete the application. Submit your application and Jurat and Writing Sample, and pay the $120 filing fee online.
Certificate of Appointment
The Certificate of Appointment will be emailed to you within three to five business days.
Within 30 days of receiving your certificate, file the certificate and take your oath of office at the clerk of the town, in which you reside. The recording fee is $10.
You may record your certificate with other town clerks if you choose. The fee is $10 for each filing.
Connecticut Notary Public FAQs
Below are answers to the most common questions about being a Connecticut Notary.
Which state government office handles Notaries?
The Secretary of State, Business Services Division, located in Hartford, CT, issues Notary Public commissions.
Office of the Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
Attention: Notary Public Unit
What kind of training will I need?
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.
The NNA also offers several Connecticut training courses that cover the essentials of performing your notarial duties properly and more.
What kind of supplies will I need?
Using a Notary seal and journal is not required in Connecticut, 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.
While a Notary journal is not required by law, Connecticut strongly recommends Notaries use a Notary record book.
Do I need a surety bond or insurance?
No. The Connecticut Secretary of State doesn’t require Notaries to have a surety bond nor E&O insurance.
However, many choose to purchase errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policies to protect themselves from legal expenses.
Where will I be able to notarize?
You will be able to notarize anywhere in the state of Connecticut.
Who can I notarize for?
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.
What fees can Connecticut Notaries charge per notarization?
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.
What should I do if I move or change my name?
You must report any changes to your address or name to the Secretary of State within 30 days of the change.
- Address Changes: 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.
- Name Changes: 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.
What is the process to renew my commission as a Connecticut Notary?
To renew your Connecticut Notary commission, complete the application and submit it within 90 days of your commission expiration date. The renewal application fee is $60.
If you use a Notary seal, you may purchase a new one to reflect your updated commission expiration date. You may also choose to get a new Notary journal if your old one is full.
If you miss the 90-day window, you must submit a reinstatement notice to the SOS by email.
What do I need to know about remote online notarization in Connecticut?
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
- 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.
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Last updated: Apr 21, 2025