Connecticut notary commission
Connecticut notary public: an exam you can't miss a question on
Prepare the handwritten Jurat and Writing Sample and a Certificate of Character, then apply on eLicense, answering every question on the built-in exam correctly, and pay the $120 nonrefundable fee. Approval usually takes 3 to 5 business days. Take the oath and record it with your town clerk within 30 days. The commission lasts five years.
Connecticut eligibility
- 18 or older.
- A Connecticut resident, or with your principal place of business in Connecticut.
- No felony or other disqualifying conviction, prior revocation or notarial misconduct; any of these can lead to denial.
- A character reference from a public official or a reputable business or professional person, not related to you, who has known you at least a year.
- Every question on the built-in exam answered correctly.
Source: Notary Public Licensing, Secretary of the State; Connecticut Notary Public Manual.
Paper forms, online exam, town clerk
- Prepare the paper forms. The Jurat and Writing Sample, in your own handwriting and sworn before someone authorized to give oaths, and the Certificate of Character.
- Apply and take the exam online. On eLicense. The exam is part of the application, taken under oath, and covers the Notary Public Manual. Pay the $120 nonrefundable fee.
- Wait for approval. Usually 3 to 5 business days. An application pending more than 90 days fails and the fee is forfeited.
- Take the oath and record it. Before any notarial act. Record the oath and certificate with the town clerk where you live, or where your Connecticut business is, within 30 days. The recording fee is $20.
- Decide on a seal and journal. Neither is required by law. If you use a seal, follow the Manual's format.
Source: Notary Public Licensing, Secretary of the State; Connecticut Notary Public Manual.
Connecticut costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application and exam | $120 Nonrefundable. Active state employees may apply free, subject to audit. |
| Town clerk recording of the oath | $20 Within 30 days. |
| Renewal in five years | $60 Reinstatement after the window is $120. |
| Name change | $15 An address change is free. |
A new Connecticut commission costs $140 in state and town fees. A seal and journal are optional.
Source: Notary Public Licensing, Secretary of the State; Connecticut Notary Public Manual.
CT starter kit · $29
Connecticut Notary Starter Kit
Connecticut's forms, eLicense exam, $120 fee and town clerk steps, the new $10 fee, ID rules, optional seal and recommended journal, remote notarization and its real estate exclusion, a checklist, a budget and journal pages.
Five years, with a renewal window on both sides
A Connecticut commission lasts five years, ending on the last day of the month you were first appointed. Renew online for $60 from 90 days before to 90 days after expiration; later than that, ask for reinstatement ($120).
Report a name or residence change within 30 days on eLicense, and record with your new town clerk if you move.
Source: Notary Public Licensing, Secretary of the State.
Remote notarization in Connecticut, and what it excludes
Connecticut allows remote notarization under C.G.S. 3-95b (effective October 1, 2023), and you aren't required to offer it. You must be in Connecticut, using live audio and video; the signer signs while connected and sends you the signed original, which you then certify.
Remote notarization does not cover real estate: no property sales, conveyances or other documents connected with a real estate closing. It also excludes wills and trusts, health care directives, standby guardianship papers and powers of attorney (Manual §4.24). Recording isn't required, but the Manual strongly recommends keeping it at least 10 years.
Source: Connecticut Notary Public Manual (§4.24).
The $10 fee and no required seal
Since July 1, 2026, Public Act 26-81 raised the fee for each notarial act from $5 to $10, with travel per mile at no more than the IRS business rate. Update any old fee sign.
Connecticut doesn't require a seal, a stamp or a journal, though the Secretary of the State strongly recommends a journal. Sign in your own hand exactly as your name appears on your certificate; signature stamps aren't allowed.
Source: Notary Public Licensing, Secretary of the State; Connecticut Notary Public Manual.
Want loan signings, not just walk-in notarizations? The Loan Signing Cheat Sheet explains the documents in a refinance or purchase package, and the Notary Marketing Kit covers getting found by title companies and local clients.
Connecticut notary questions
How hard is the Connecticut notary exam?
It's part of the online application, and every question must be answered correctly. It covers the Notary Public Manual.
Can a Connecticut notary do a real estate closing remotely?
No. Remote notarization doesn't cover property sales, conveyances or other documents connected with a real estate closing (Manual §4.24).
Does Connecticut require a notary seal?
No. A seal or stamp is optional; if you use one, follow the Manual's format.
What can a Connecticut notary charge?
Up to $10 per notarial act since July 1, 2026, plus travel at no more than the IRS mileage rate.
When do I record my Connecticut oath?
Within 30 days, with the town clerk where you live or where your Connecticut business is. The fee is $20.
Guides for other states · Becoming a notary in New Jersey
General information from official Connecticut sources, checked November 2026. It is not legal advice, and we are not lawyers. Requirements and fees change, so confirm them with the Connecticut Secretary of the State before you apply. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with the State of Connecticut.