Massachusetts is unique — your commission is granted by the Governor's Council, you need four community references including a Massachusetts attorney, and it's the longest term in New England at 7 years. Here's how it actually works.
Under M.G.L. Chapter 222 (as amended by Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2016), Massachusetts notary applicants must meet these requirements:
Massachusetts has middle-of-the-road startup costs. The state fee is $60 (paid only after approval), and there's no exam fee or bond requirement.
| Item | Required? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary of the Commonwealth fee | Required (paid after approval) | $60 |
| Notary stamp/seal | Required | $15–$35 |
| Mandatory journal (bound or electronic) | Required | $10–$30 |
| Surety bond | Not required | $0 |
| Education course | Not required | $0 |
| Written exam | Not required | $0 |
| E&O insurance (recommended) | Optional | $25–$50/yr |
| Total to get commissioned | $85–$150 |
Important note: The $60 fee is only paid after your application is approved by the Governor and Governor's Council. If you're denied, you don't owe the fee. This is unusual — most states charge the application fee upfront regardless of outcome.
Before applying, you're required to read Chapter 222 of the General Laws (as amended by Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2016). You'll certify on your application that you've read it and agree to comply. Don't skip this — the application is testing whether you actually understand notary law.
This is the unique MA step. You need four signatures from "known and respected members of your community" — at least one MUST be a licensed Massachusetts attorney. The other three can be neighbors, employers, fellow business owners, religious leaders, etc. Each reference signs the back of the application form attesting to your character.
The application includes a jurat section that must be completed by a currently commissioned Massachusetts notary public. Sign the oath in front of them; they add their signature, seal, and commission expiration date.
Massachusetts requires you to attach an up-to-date resume to your application. The Governor's Council reviews your professional background as part of the approval process. Don't skip this or your application will be returned.
Mail the complete packet (application, references, jurat, resume) to: Notary Public Office, State House — Room 184, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133. Do NOT include payment at this stage. Processing takes 2-8 weeks.
If approved by the Governor and Governor's Council, you'll receive an approval notice. Schedule your oath at the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office, an authorized notary, or your Registry of Deeds. Pay the $60 commissioning fee. After the oath, order your seal and journal.
Under M.G.L. Chapter 222, Massachusetts notaries have broader authority than most states. Authorized acts include:
Massachusetts does not statutorily cap most notarial fees, which means you can charge competitive market rates. Common pricing:
The Boston metro area is one of the densest, highest-paying mobile notary markets in the country — real estate transactions, high concentration of professional services firms requiring document execution, and concentrated affluent population willing to pay convenience premiums. Massachusetts notaries with established practices commonly clear $35,000-$60,000/year working part-time around another job.
Massachusetts permanently authorized remote online notarization in 2023, after operating under temporary emergency RON during COVID. To perform RON in MA:
Your Massachusetts commission is valid for 7 years — the longest term in New England. Renewal requires the same process as initial application, though references may be simpler if you're renewing without changing residency.
To renew: A new oath may be required upon renewal. Keep your name and address updated with the Secretary's office so renewal notices reach you — Massachusetts does not have an automatic renewal system.
Massachusetts is one of only a few states where notary commissions are granted by the Governor with advice and consent of the Governor's Council (an elected eight-member body). This is a historical artifact dating to colonial times, but it has practical effect: the Council reviews applications individually and can deny based on character concerns. In practice, most well-prepared applications are approved.
You need at least one MA-licensed attorney to sign as a reference. If you don't personally know an attorney, options include: your real estate attorney from when you bought your home, an attorney at your bank, your employer's general counsel, or a family friend who's a member of the bar. The signature on the reference page is just attesting to your character — it doesn't require the attorney to do anything complex.
Processing typically takes 2-3 weeks at the Secretary's office, then the application moves to the Governor's Council for approval. The Council meets bi-weekly. Total time from application submission to approval letter is usually 2-8 weeks. Submit early if you have a deadline (job change, new role requiring notary authority, etc.).
Anywhere in the Commonwealth. Your commission isn't tied to a specific county. Massachusetts does not have county-by-county notary jurisdiction — your authority is statewide.
Yes. MA allows non-residents to be commissioned if they "conduct business on a regular basis" in Massachusetts. Your employer can attest to this in your reference letters. You'll need to provide a MA business address on your application, but this is typically just your employer's office address.
Massachusetts requires a chronological journal (paper or electronic) for all notarial acts under M.G.L. c.222 §22. This is more rigorous than most states. Entries must include the date, type of act, document description, signer identity and ID form, fees charged, and other details. Keep the journal for 7 years after your commission ends. The journal protects you legally — if a notarization is later challenged, your journal is your evidence.
Under M.G.L. Chapter 222 (as amended by Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2016), Massachusetts notary applicants must meet these requirements: Be at least 18 years old. Reside in Massachusetts, OR conduct business on a regular basis in Massachusetts. Have no felony convictions (subject to review by the Governor's Council). Be able to read and write English. Have four references who are known members of your community — one of whom must be a licensed Massachusetts attorney. Have read M.G.L. Chapter 222 (the notary statute) and agreed to comply with all its terms. What it actually costs, end to end Massachusetts has middle-of-the-road startup costs. The state fee is $60 (paid only after approval), and there's no exam fee or bond requirement. Item Required? Cost Secretary of the Commonwealth fee Required (paid after approval) $60 Notary stamp/seal Required $15–$35 Mandatory journal (bound or electronic) Required $10–$30 Surety bond Not required $0 Education course Not required $0 Written exam Not required $0 E&O insurance (recommended) Optional $25–$50/yr Total to get commissioned $85–$150 Important note: The $60 fee is only paid after your application is approved by the Governor and Governor's Council. If you're denied, you don't owe the fee. This is unusual — most states charge the application fee upfront regardless of outcome. The 6 steps to your Massachusetts commission 1 Read M.G.L. Chapter 222 thoroughly Before applying, you're required to read Chapter 222 of the General Laws (as amended by Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2016). You'll certify on your application that you've read it and agree to comply. Don't skip this — the application is testing whether you actually understand notary law. 2 Gather your four community references This is the unique MA step. You need four signatures from "known and respected members of your community" — at least one MUST be a licensed Massachusetts attorney. The other three can be neighbors, employers, fellow business owners, religious leaders, etc. Each reference signs the back of the application form attesting to your character. 3 Get the oath section notarized The application includes a jurat section that must be completed by a currently commissioned Massachusetts notary public. Sign the oath in front of them; they add their signature, seal, and commission expiration date. 4 Attach your current resume Massachusetts requires you to attach an up-to-date resume to your application. The Governor's Council reviews your professional background as part of the approval process. Don't skip this or your application will be returned. 5 Mail to the Notary Public Office at the State House Mail the complete packet (application, references, jurat, resume) to: Notary Public Office, State House — Room 184, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133. Do NOT include payment at this stage. Processing takes 2-8 weeks. 6 Take the oath after Governor's Council approval, pay $60 If approved by the Governor and Governor's Council, you'll receive an approval notice. Schedule your oath at the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office, an authorized notary, or your Registry of Deeds. Pay the $60 commissioning fee. After the oath, order your seal and journal. What Massachusetts notaries actually do Under M.G.L. Chapter 222, Massachusetts notaries have broader authority than most states. Authorized acts include: Acknowledgments — Confirming a signer voluntarily executed a document Jurats — Administering oaths and affirmations on signed statements Oaths and affirmations — Verbal swearings outside of document signing Witness signatures — Attesting to having witnessed a signature Copy certifications — Of non-recordable documents Issue subpoenas — For witnesses in legal proceedings (unique to MA) Issue summonses for witnesses — In civil cases (unique to MA) Witness opening of bank safe deposit boxes — When required by law The ability to issue subpoenas and summonses is unusual — most states reserve this for the court system. Massachusetts grants this authority to notaries by statute. What you can actually make Massachusetts does not statutorily cap most notarial fees, which means you can charge competitive market rates. Common pricing: In-office notarization: $5-$20 per signature Mobile notary visit: $50-$100 base + per-act fees Loan signing: $100-$200 per signing (real estate) Boston-area RON: $25-$75 per remote act Specialty (hospital, prison, late-night): $100-$200 premium The Boston metro area is one of the densest, highest-paying mobile notary markets in the country — real estate transactions, high concentration of professional services firms requiring document execution, and concentrated affluent population willing to pay convenience premiums. Massachusetts notaries with established practices commonly clear $35,000-$60,000/year working part-time around another job. RON in Massachusetts Massachusetts permanently authorized remote online notarization in 2023, after operating under temporary emergency RON during COVID. To perform RON in MA: Hold an active Massachusetts notary commission Provide written notification to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of your intent to perform RON Use an approved RON technology platform meeting MA standards Identify signers via at least two independent identity verification methods Record audio/video of every RON session and retain for 10 years Maintain electronic journal entries for each RON act MA's RON requirements are stricter than Virginia's pioneer framework but consistent with most modern adopting states. Real estate documents notarized via RON are accepted by most major lenders operating in Massachusetts. Renewing your Massachusetts commission Your Massachusetts commission is valid for 7 years — the longest term in New England. Renewal requires the same process as initial application, though references may be simpler if you're renewing without changing residency. To renew: Submit a new application with updated resume Obtain four new community references (one MA attorney) Get the oath section notarized Mail to Notary Public Office at the State House Pay the $60 fee upon approval A new oath may be required upon renewal. Keep your name and address updated with the Secretary's office so renewal notices reach you — Massachusetts does not have an automatic renewal system. Questions Massachusetts notaries actually ask Why does Massachusetts require Governor's Council approval? Massachusetts is one of only a few states where notary commissions are granted by the Governor with advice and consent of the Governor's Council (an elected eight-member body). This is a historical artifact dating to colonial times, but it has practical effect: the Council reviews applications individually and can deny based on character concerns. In practice, most well-prepared applications are approved. What if I don't know any Massachusetts attorneys? You need at least one MA-licensed attorney to sign as a reference. If you don't personally know an attorney, options include: your real estate attorney from when you bought your home, an attorney at your bank, your employer's general counsel, or a family friend who's a member of the bar. The signature on the reference page is just attesting to your character — it doesn't require the attorney to do anything complex. How long does the Governor's Council actually take? Processing typically takes 2-3 weeks at the Secretary's office, then the application moves to the Governor's Council for approval. The Council meets bi-weekly. Total time from application submission to approval letter is usually 2-8 weeks. Submit early if you have a deadline (job change, new role requiring notary authority, etc.). Can I notarize anywhere in Massachusetts or just my home county? Anywhere in the Commonwealth. Your commission isn't tied to a specific county. Massachusetts does not have county-by-county notary jurisdiction — your authority is statewide. I work in Boston but live in New Hampshire. Can I be a MA notary? Yes. MA allows non-residents to be commissioned if they "conduct business on a regular basis" in Massachusetts. Your employer can attest to this in your reference letters. You'll need to provide a MA business address on your application, but this is typically just your employer's office address. Why is the journal mandatory? Most states make it optional. Massachusetts requires a chronological journal (paper or electronic) for all notarial acts under M.G.L. c.222 §22. This is more rigorous than most states. Entries must include the date, type of act, document description, signer identity and ID form, fees charged, and other details. Keep the journal for 7 years after your commission ends. The journal protects you legally — if a notarization is later challenged, your journal is your evidence. 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