Overview
Massachusetts has passed legislation authorizing Remote Online Notarization under MGL Chapter 222 as amended, but the RON framework is not yet operational. The Secretary of the Commonwealth has stated that the required training course and the notification form that Massachusetts notaries must file before performing RON are not yet available. This means Massachusetts-commissioned notaries should not perform remote online notarizations until official activation. This guide covers the current status, what the law requires, and how to prepare.
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Massachusetts is in the same category as California and Georgia: the legal framework exists on paper, but the regulatory infrastructure – specifically the training requirement and the notification system – has not been built out yet. Once those elements are live, Massachusetts notaries will need to complete training and file a notification with the Secretary of the Commonwealth before performing their first remote session.
What MGL Chapter 222 Actually Says About RON
The Massachusetts RON law requires notaries to complete a training course approved by the Secretary of the Commonwealth and file a notification form with the Secretary before performing any remote online notarizations. The law also requires:
- Use of two-way audio-visual communication technology
- Identity verification through credential analysis and/or knowledge-based authentication
- An electronic journal entry for every remote notarial act
- Audio-visual recording retention
- Electronic notarial certificate stating the act was performed remotely
These are strong consumer protection provisions. The training-plus-notification model means Massachusetts will have a record of which notaries are authorized to perform RON – different from states like Michigan that simply require an approved vendor with no state notification.
Why Massachusetts RON Is Not Yet Operational
The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office has said specifically that:
- The required RON training course has not yet been approved or made available
- The notification form that notaries must file before performing remote acts has not yet been published
- Until both of those elements are active, Massachusetts notaries cannot legally perform RON sessions
This is not a delay in the law – the law passed. It is a delay in the administrative implementation. Massachusetts is building a compliant framework, and that takes time. The practical result is the same as California: hold your commission, prepare, and wait for the official green light.
What Massachusetts Notaries Can Do Right Now
- Keep your commission active – Massachusetts notary commissions are 7 years (some categories differ); renew before expiration so you are in good standing when RON activates
- Complete RON training proactively – NNA and NCAN RON courses build skills and may overlap with whatever MA eventually requires; training now puts you ahead
- Set up platform profiles – Notarize (Proof) and NotaryLive allow account creation and background checks before your state activates; you will be ready to take sessions immediately
- Consider commissioning in an active RON state – if you are near the New Hampshire or Rhode Island border, their active RON frameworks may provide immediate opportunity
- Focus on traditional Massachusetts signings – the Greater Boston real estate and legal markets generate consistent in-person notary work
Massachusetts Traditional Notary Commission Process
Massachusetts notaries are appointed by the Governor through the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Key requirements:
- Massachusetts resident or person with a regular place of business in the state
- Age 18 or older
- Application submitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth with the application fee
- $5,000 surety bond required
- Oath of office administered after appointment
- 7-year commission term
The Governor’s appointment process for Massachusetts notaries means commissions are not instantaneous – plan for several weeks from application to approval.
How to Recognize When Massachusetts RON Goes Live
Watch for these specific signals from the Secretary of the Commonwealth:
- A SoC-approved RON training course becoming available (will be announced at sec.state.ma.us)
- The official notification form that notaries must file being published
- SoC guidance on approved technology vendors or technology standards
- NNA or NCAN sending Massachusetts-specific activation alerts
Common Mistakes Massachusetts Notaries Make
- Advertising RON services before the SoC activates training and notification requirements
- Assuming the law passing means RON is legal to perform right now – it is not
- Not filing the $5,000 bond properly, which can delay commission issuance
- Letting the 7-year commission lapse while waiting for RON, losing their standing
- Confusing Massachusetts “remote ink notarization” (used during COVID emergency) with the permanent RON framework under Chapter 222
Before You Start
Massachusetts RON is approved by law but requires SoC-issued training completion and a notification filing before any remote session can be performed. Do not perform RON under a Massachusetts commission until both of those administrative requirements are live and you have completed them. Official reference: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth – Remote Online Notarization.
Prerequisites
- Active Massachusetts notary commission (7-year term, Governor-appointed)
- RON NOT yet operational - training and notification form not yet available
- Once activated: SoC-approved training required
- Once activated: notification form must be filed with SoC before first remote act
- $5,000 surety bond required for commission
- Compliant audio-visual technology, electronic journal, recording retention required
Steps
Confirm your active Massachusetts notary commission through the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Monitor sec.state.ma.us/divisions/commissions/remote-online.htm for training and notification form announcement
Complete SoC-approved RON training once it becomes available (not yet published)
File the official RON notification form with the Secretary of the Commonwealth (not yet published)
Choose a compliant audio-visual technology platform (after SoC publishes technology standards)
Set up electronic journal and audio-visual recording tools
Do NOT perform remote sessions until training is complete and notification form is filed
Begin taking remote sessions only after receiving SoC confirmation of your notification
Training & Exam
Training:
RON-specific training is required by law but the SoC-approved training course is not yet available. Monitor sec.state.ma.us for the official course announcement. Proactive preparation through NNA or NCAN RON courses is recommended while waiting.
Exam:
No traditional notary exam required for the Massachusetts commission. No active RON exam process - the Secretary of the Commonwealth has not yet published training or exam requirements for RON authorization.
Bond & E&O
Bond:
$5,000 surety bond required for Massachusetts notary commission
E&O Insurance:
E&O insurance recommended; $500,000 coverage typical for professional notaries. Not state-mandated but required by many platforms.
Costs Breakdown
- Notary commission application: verify current fee at sec.state.ma.us
- $5,000 surety bond: $40-$100/year
- RON platform (when available): $0-$30/month
- SoC-approved training (when available): cost TBD
- Digital certificate/e-seal (when required): $50-$100/year
- E&O insurance (recommended): $75-$150/year
Timeline
Traditional commission: 4-8 weeks (Governor appointment process). RON activation timeline: unknown - monitor Secretary of the Commonwealth at sec.state.ma.us
Apply & Official Links
FAQ
Can Massachusetts notaries perform RON right now?
No. Although the RON law (MGL Chapter 222) has passed, the Secretary of the Commonwealth states that the required training course and notification form are not yet available. Massachusetts notaries cannot legally perform remote online notarizations until both of those elements are activated.
What will Massachusetts notaries need to do when RON activates?
Complete a training course approved by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, then file a notification form with the SoC before performing any remote notarial acts. The notary must also use compliant audio-visual technology and maintain an electronic journal.
What is the Massachusetts notary bond requirement?
$5,000 surety bond, required as part of the commission appointment process through the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
How long is a Massachusetts notary commission?
7 years from the date of appointment. Keep your commission current so you are ready to register for RON immediately when the SoC activates the framework.
Where do I monitor for Massachusetts RON activation?
The official page is sec.state.ma.us/divisions/commissions/remote-online.htm. NNA and NCAN also send state-specific alerts when RON frameworks activate.
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