“Reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity.” These are the words that appear on every New Jersey Notary Public Commission Certificate and defines the standard of conduct expected of a New Jersey Notary Public. It is also the foundation of the New Jersey Notary Association community. Participation in the NJNA community is an extension of your role as a trusted public official. Members are expected to uphold professionalism, integrity, impartiality, and respect at all times. By engaging in the NJNA community, members agree to the guidelines published below. Thank you. TEAM NJNA

If your notarial stamp includes the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, please see the notice posted in this message. NJNA strongly advises against inclusion of the State Seal on your notary stamp.

At this time, NJNA does not recommend any specific loan signing course. The purpose of the New Jersey Notary Association is to support every New Jersey Notary Public through education and community grounded in New Jersey notary law and authorized notarial practice. Our primary focus is helping notaries clearly understand what they are legally permitted and prohibited from doing under New Jersey statutes and regulations. We understand the interest in becoming a Loan Signing Agent. However, that role represents only one niche within the broader notary profession. The majority of commissioned notaries in New Jersey serve the public in settings such as municipal offices, banks, credit unions, law firms, schools, hospitals, and corporate environments. NJNA’s educational mission is built around serving that entire population, not just the segment pursuing loan signings. It is also important to understand that “loan signing agent” is not a separate state-recognized license or commission. There is nothing New Jersey-specific about loan signing agent courses. The state-specific component is your notary commission itself. Any signing assignment, whether it involves loan documents, real estate closings, or general legal paperwork, ultimately relies on your understanding of New Jersey notarial law, identification standards, prohibited acts, record-keeping obligations, and ethical responsibilities. Even though NJNA does not make a recommendation for any specific loan signing program, we absolutely support members who choose to explore that path. We encourage you to reach out to fellow notaries within the NJNA community. Our membership includes notaries from many different professional backgrounds and practice settings, and you will likely find peers who can share experience, insight, and practical guidance as you decide which direction is right for you. Our commitment remains focused on building a strong New Jersey-specific foundation for all notaries. From there, members are free to pursue specialized opportunities, including loan signings, with clarity, confidence, and a solid understanding of their role under New Jersey law.

We receive a lot of great questions from members through email and the contact form at newjerseynotaryassociation.org. To better serve our community, we’ll be sharing these questions in the new FAQ section right here in your Community. Today’s question: I just received my commission renewal. My current notary journal isn’t even half full yet. Do I need to start a new journal for my new commission? Answer: Before deciding, let’s make sure your current journal is compliant with New Jersey law: - Is your journal permanently bound or sewn? - Are the pages sequentially numbered? If you answered yes to both questions—great! You have a compliant journal. There is nothing in New Jersey law that requires you to start a new journal when you renew your notary commission. As long as your journal meets the legal requirements, you may continue using it into your new commission term. Just remember: your notary journal must always be kept secure and under your exclusive control.