6d • Ask NJNA
Notary Question: Can I solemnize a marriage?
QUESTION Question received through the NJNA website:
Can a notary stamp be given on a document which is legalizing or affirming a marriage?
ANSWER:
In New Jersey, a Notary Public does not have the authority to solemnize, legalize, officiate, or affirm a marriage. Applying a notarial seal or stamp for the purpose of validating or affirming a marriage would be outside the scope of a New Jersey Notary’s lawful authority.
A notary stamp may only be used to notarize a lawful notarial act, such as an acknowledgment, oath, or jurat, when all statutory requirements are met and the notarial act itself is permitted by law. A notary may not use their seal to give the appearance that they are validating, legalizing, or officiating a marriage, as this could mislead the public and expose the notary to discipline.
While some other states do permit Notaries Public to solemnize marriages, that authority is entirely state specific. New Jersey has not granted this power to its notaries, and practices permitted in other states do not apply within New Jersey.
Bottom line: In New Jersey, a notary stamp may not be used to legalize, affirm, or officiate a marriage. Doing so would exceed a notary’s legal authority and may result in disciplinary action.
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Notary Question: Can I solemnize a marriage?
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