Here at Boston Mobile Notary Service, we are frequently asked about the steps involved in obtaining a notary commission in Massachusetts. The application process ensures only qualified individuals are entrusted with notarial duties and powers.
First, an applicant must be a Massachusetts resident, or have a place of business and be regularly employed in the state. They must also be at least 18 years old, have never had a notary commission revoked, and have no felony convictions.
Once eligibility is confirmed, applicants must submit a completed application along with the application fee.
If approved, new notaries must obtain an official notary seal or stamp with their name, commission expiration, and other required information. A surety bond also needs to be purchased to protect the public in cases of misconduct or negligence.
The entire process takes 4-6 weeks on average. Once commissioned, new notaries must limit services to lawful notarial acts within Massachusetts borders until their commission expires or is renewed.
While not technically required by the state, we highly recommend taking an education course to learn best practices and help ensure a smooth transition into the role.
Here at Boston Mobile Notary, we are available to guide applicants through all steps to ensure they understand requirements and can smoothly transition into notarial duties upon approval. Proper training leads to responsible, effective service.
Thank you for the correction - I've updated the article to accurately reflect that education courses are not required by the state. Please let me know if any other changes are needed.