How to Become a Notary in Connecticut (2026 Guide)
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Key Takeaways
- No separate exam or course — but the application itself is a test, completed under oath, and every answer must be correct
- No surety bond required
- Application fee: $120 | Commission term: 5 years
- Notary stamp required
- Maximum fee: $5 per notarial act
- Must be 18+, a CT resident or working in CT
Becoming a Connecticut notary takes one application, a $120 fee, and care: there is no separate exam or course, but the application itself contains a notarial-knowledge examination you complete under oath, and it must be answered correctly in full. There is no bond, the commission runs five years, and renewals cost $60.
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a resident of Connecticut or regularly employed in the state
Disqualifying Factors
Connecticut evaluates applicants on a case-by-case basis. Criminal history and providing false information can disqualify you.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Complete the Application
Apply online or by mail through the Connecticut Secretary of State. The application contains an embedded examination on notarial law, completed under oath — take it seriously, because every question must be answered correctly. Pay the $120 fee.
Step 2: Receive Your Commission
If approved, you’ll receive your notary commission by mail.
Step 3: Purchase Your Stamp
Connecticut requires a notary stamp.
Costs to Get Commissioned
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $120 |
| No bond required | $0 |
| Notary stamp (required) | $15-$25 |
| Notary journal (recommended) | $10-$50 |
| Total | $145-$195 |
How Much You Can Charge
Connecticut caps fees at $5 per notarial act (acknowledgments, jurats, and verbal oaths) plus 35 cents per mile for travel, under Conn. Gen. Stat. §3-95. The same $5 cap applies to remote online notarizations.
Authorized Notarial Acts
- Take acknowledgments
- Administer oaths and affirmations
- Execute jurats
- Witness signatures
- Certify copies
- Protest negotiable instruments
Notary Stamp Requirements
Connecticut requires a notary stamp. All notarized documents must bear your official seal.
Notarizing for Family Members
Connecticut does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. Avoid notarizing documents where you have a direct financial or beneficial interest.
Penalties for Notary Misconduct
The Secretary of State can revoke your commission for misconduct.
Errors and Omissions Insurance
Not required, but recommended to protect against liability from errors or negligence.
Renewal
5 years. Renewal runs through the same application process at a reduced $60 fee.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Connecticut has authorized remote online notarization (Conn. Gen. Stat. §3-95b). A commissioned notary registers with the Secretary of State’s e-notary system and uses an approved platform; the per-act fee cap stays at $5.
Becoming a Signing Agent
After receiving your commission, complete a signing agent certification program. Connecticut is an attorney state for real estate closings — see our attorney-states and escrow-states guide — so in-state closing work runs through attorneys, and most CT signing agents handle out-of-origin loan packages instead.
Connecticut’s $120 fee is one of the highest in the country. Neighboring New York requires a standalone exam but charges $60; Rhode Island charges $80 with an online assessment; Massachusetts charges less. The lack of a bond keeps Connecticut’s total cost reasonable despite the application fee — and renewals drop to $60.
Your Commission Belongs to You
Your commission is personal: it does not belong to your employer, and your stamp and commission go with you when you change jobs. No employer can require you to skip proper notarization procedure, and one who pressures you into misconduct can share the liability for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a notary exam in Connecticut?
Not as a separate test. The notarial-knowledge examination is embedded in the application itself, completed under oath, and every answer must be correct — so treat the application as an open manual you still have to get right.
Do I need a surety bond in Connecticut?
No. Connecticut does not require a surety bond.
How long does a Connecticut notary commission last?
5 years.
Is a notary stamp required in Connecticut?
Yes. All Connecticut notaries must have a notary stamp.
How much can a Connecticut notary charge?
$5 per notarial act, plus 35 cents per mile for travel under Conn. Gen. Stat. §3-95.
Is Connecticut an attorney state for closings?
Yes. This affects signing agents: real estate closings require attorney involvement in Connecticut.
Updated October 2026. Requirements based on the Connecticut Secretary of State and CGS Section 3.
