The manual states that applicants must be age 18 or older and either live in Connecticut or have a principal place of business in Connecticut. The appointment application includes a mandatory online examination, and the nonrefundable application fee is $120.
Connecticut notary appointments are issued for five-year terms. Renewal applications are sent before expiration, and the manual lists a $60 renewal application fee.
Before performing any notarial act, the notary must take the oath of office and record the appointment and oath with the appropriate town clerk within 30 days after receiving the certificate. The filing fee for recording the commission and oath is listed as $20.
The manual explains that remote notarization is optional and became effective October 1, 2023 under Public Act 23-28. The signer appears by communication technology, and the law allows a signer located in another state or country when statutory connection-to-Connecticut conditions are met.
The manual describes permitted identity methods for remote acts, including personal knowledge, one unexpired government ID with photo/name/signature, approved third-party verification methods, or a credible witness. It also describes paper-based handling where the signer signs while on the live session, then the document is delivered to the notary for completion of the certificate.
The manual lists documents that cannot be remotely notarized under the Act, including wills or trusts, property conveyance/real-estate-closing documents, health care directives, standby guardianship papers, and powers of attorney.
For notarial acts under Connecticut statutes, the manual lists a fee of $5 per act plus $0.35 per mile traveled. The remote notarization FAQ says recording is not required by Connecticut law, but strongly recommends retaining each remote-session recording for at least 10 years.
Items confirmed from the linked Connecticut manual PDF
- Application fee: $120 (nonrefundable).
- Online exam is incorporated into the application and must be passed.
- Commission term: five years.
- Oath and appointment recording deadline: within 30 days of certificate receipt.
- Town clerk recording fee for commission and oath: $20.
- Public Act 23-28 signed June 12, 2023; remote notarization effective October 1, 2023.
- Remote notarization is optional for Connecticut notaries.
- Remote signer may be out-of-state if the document has a Connecticut connection under the Act.
- Prohibited remote categories include wills/trusts, many real estate conveyance documents, health care directives, standby guardianship papers, and powers of attorney.
- General statutory fee for notarial acts: $5 plus $0.35 per mile traveled.
- Remote recording is not required by law, but the manual recommends retaining recordings for at least 10 years.
This page is informational only and is not legal advice. Confirm current Connecticut statutes, regulations, and Secretary of the State guidance before performing notarial acts. Reviewed February 15, 2026.