Notary Public Permit Requirements in Boston, MA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you operate as an LLC/corporation or have employees. Sole proprietor notaries with no employees may use their SSN.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Massachusetts Notary Public Commission

   Massachusetts notaries are appointed by the Governor with the Governor's Council. You must be at least 18 and either live or have a regular place of work or business in the Commonwealth. The application requires a current resume and the signatures of four known and respected members of your community, and you must read and agree to comply with M.G.L. c. 222 as amended by Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2016. Completed applications are mailed to the Notary Public Office, State House, 24 Beacon Street Room 184, Boston MA 02133. A commission runs for seven years unless revoked earlier or you resign. Renewals, address changes, and name changes go through the Public Records Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office at 617-727-2836.

   Official government source

   $60, charged by the Secretary of the Commonwealth on qualification. You do not pay it until you are notified that the Governor and Governor's Council have approved your application. A notary seal or stamp is bought separately from a private supplier.·About two weeks from mailing the completed application to receiving written notification of appointment with swearing-in instructions; total time varies with Governor's Council scheduling. Call the Governor's Council at 617-725-4016 to check the status of an application.

   $60, charged by the Secretary of the Commonwealth on qualification. You do not pay it until you are notified that the Governor and Governor's Council have approved your application. A notary seal or stamp is bought separately from a private supplier.

   About two weeks from mailing the completed application to receiving written notification of appointment with swearing-in instructions; total time varies with Governor's Council scheduling. Call the Governor's Council at 617-725-4016 to check the status of an application.

2. Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance (optional)

   Massachusetts does not require notaries public to carry errors and omissions insurance or a surety bond — the Secretary of the Commonwealth's notary application requirements under MGL c.222 include an application with four character signatures, an oath before the Governor's Council, and the state fee, with no insurance or bonding condition. E&O coverage is an optional private product that protects a notary against liability for unintentional mistakes; commissions run seven-year terms, and the state application fee is $60.

   Official government source

   Optional and privately priced — premiums vary by coverage limit and provider, so get a current quote rather than relying on a published figure·Coverage can normally be bound as soon as you purchase it

   Optional and privately priced — premiums vary by coverage limit and provider, so get a current quote rather than relying on a published figure

   Coverage can normally be bound as soon as you purchase it

1. Boston Business Certificate (if operating under a trade name)

   Boston does not require a general business license for a standalone notary business. Notary commissions are issued by the Massachusetts Governor's office, not the City. What Boston does require is a Business Certificate from the City Clerk's Office if you conduct business under a trade name rather than your own legal name. The certificate must be renewed every four years from the date you registered, and a late-fee penalty applies if you miss the renewal (M.G.L. c. 110, s. 5).

   Official government source

   $65 filing fee. Non-residents of Massachusetts pay an additional $35.·Filed with the City Clerk's Office; same day in person

   $65 filing fee. Non-residents of Massachusetts pay an additional $35.

   Filed with the City Clerk's Office; same day in person

Official Sources

• Massachusetts — Notary Public Requirements
• Massachusetts Secretary of State

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