Online notarization in New Brunswick, NJ

New Jersey at a glance

Online notarization legal since

October 20, 2021 (P.L. 2021, c. 179, approved July 22, 2021; the remote-notarization sections took effect on the 90th day)

Source: P.L.2021, c.179, §39 (uncodified effective-date clause) and enactment date

Governing law

N.J.S.A. 52:7-10 et seq. (P.L. 2021, c. 179) — § 52:7-10.10 (remote online notarization), 52:7-10.15, 52:7-10.18 (journal); fees at N.J.S.A. 22A:4-14; rules at N.J.A.C. 17:50

Source: P.L.2021, c.179 (N.J.S.A. 52:7-10 et seq.); N.J.A.C. 17:50

Notary authorization for online acts

Notify the State Treasurer electronically before the first remote act and identify the technology to be used; if the Treasurer has adopted standards, the technology must conform and be approved

Source: N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10(m) [P.L.2021, c.179, §19(m)]

Notary fee cap for an online act

The general schedule applies: $2.50 per act for oaths, affidavits and acknowledgments; $15 for a real-estate-transfer acknowledgment; $25 for a real-estate-financing acknowledgment; no separate online fee

Source: N.J.S.A. 22A:4-14 fee schedule as published under N.J.A.C. 17:50 (NJ Notary Public Manual, Ch. 11, 'Fees for Notarial Services')

Identity verification

Personal knowledge, a credible witness under oath (in person or by communication technology), or at least two different types of identity proofing — a third party's review of personal information from public or private data sources

Source: N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10(d)(1), (a)(3)

Signer location

Anywhere, including outside New Jersey — the act is deemed performed in New Jersey; outside the U.S. only for a U.S.-connected record, and not where the foreign state prohibits the act

Source: N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10(q)(1) and (d)(4) [P.L.2021, c.179, §19.q(1) and §19.d(4)]

Journal and recording retention

Audio-visual recording at least 10 years (notary, representative or designated repository); journal 10 years after its last act, or transmitted to the Division of Revenue or an approved repository

Source: N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10(l) [P.L.2021, c.179, §19.l]; journal retention at N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.18(d) [§27.d]

Document classes excluded from online notarization

Wills and codicils (N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10(b)); the electronic-transactions law separately keeps wills, codicils and testamentary trusts off electronic signatures

Source: N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10(b) [P.L.2021, c.179, §19.b]; also N.J.S.A. 12A:12-3(b) (UETA carve-out for wills, codicils, testamentary trusts)

Reviewed 2026-08-24