NJNA Community: NJNA is issuing this advisory to protect our members, the public we serve, and the integrity of the notarial office in New Jersey. What is Notario Fraud “Notario fraud” occurs when a non attorney represents, or implies, that they are authorized to provide legal services. This most commonly involves immigration related matters but is not limited to immigration. In the United States, a Notary Public is not an attorney and has no authority to provide legal advice, prepare legal documents, or offer services such as immigration assistance, document preparation, or legal representation. In many Latin American countries, a “notario público” is a licensed legal professional. That distinction does not exist in the United States. Confusion around this term is frequently exploited and can cause serious harm to the public. Why This Is Extremely Serious Engaging in, or appearing to engage in, notario fraud may constitute the Unauthorized Practice of Law under New Jersey statutes. Consequences can include criminal charges, civil penalties, loss of commission, and permanent damage to professional credibility. More importantly, these actions can cause severe harm to individuals who rely on incorrect or fraudulent guidance, including financial loss, denial of benefits, detention, or deportation in immigration related cases ImmigrationFraudHandbook. Even well intentioned actions cross the line when a notary provides anything beyond ministerial notarial acts. Examples of Prohibited Conduct Notaries in New Jersey must not: - Advertise or offer immigration services - Advertise or offer document preparation services beyond typing at the direction of the signer without advice - Give legal advice or explain legal options - Use titles or language that imply legal authority - Assist with forms in a way that influences content or legal outcome Public advertising, websites, flyers, and social media posts are often the first indicators regulators look at when identifying potential violations.

I am SUPER PROUD to share a major milestone with the community. NJNA has formally submitted our full notary curriculum to the State of New Jersey for review! For context, the current NJ Notary Manual is only 26 pages.Our submission is 218 pages of New Jersey specific education, guidance, and compliance focused material! As part of this submission, we have also formally requested to be listed as a professional association within the official New Jersey Notary Manual. This is an important step toward broader recognition, stronger education standards, and a clearer voice for New Jersey notaries. HOW YOU CAN HELP: If you have found value in NJNA, please take a moment to post a review on our Google listing. Member feedback and visibility directly support efforts like this and help demonstrate the impact of our work. Thank you for being part of this community and helping cultivate strong notarial roots in the Garden State.

I just joined the New Jersey Notary Association after more than 15 years of being a notary in the State.

Hello - I received my notary commission a couple of months ago but I have not had an opportunity to motorize any documents yet. I joined this association so I can learn how to get started.

Hey NJNA Community, We’ve been working hard to get our curriculum uploaded to the Classroom tab. 18 chapters are done and 6 more to go. The course we’re working on today focuses on New Jersey Notaries who provide notarial services as part of their employment, and understanding the distinction between your role as a Notary Public and your role as an employee. It is very common for Notaries to be unclear about where that line is drawn. It is even more common for employers to misunderstand their role when they employ a Notary Public. To help educate employers, and to save Notaries from having uncomfortable conversations with supervisors or HR teams, I have created a general informational letter that Notaries can provide to their employer at any time. The letter is posted here in this thread, and it will also be included in Chapter 19 of the course, which will be uploaded shortly. -Patrick