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New Mexico Notary Public — Requirements & Free Practice

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Automatic Notarial Officer Registration

Statutory notarial authority for qualifying officeholders and New Mexico attorneys, activated through training, examination, and registration of the official stamp; this is distinct from a commissioned notary public.

Licensing authority: New Mexico Secretary of State · Application information

Attorney licensed in New Mexico registration
New Mexico State-Required Notary Exam
Examination
12.9.3.10(C) and 12.9.3.16(A) require proof of passing the ordinary state-required notary examination at 80% or higher before the first notarial act.
Filing fee
The July 2023 SOS handbook states there is no fee for Automatic Notarial Officer Stamp Registration; training-provider fees are separate.
Qualifying status
Be a member of the New Mexico state bar and authorized to practice law in New Mexico.
Scope
Automatic registration does not itself provide a commissioned notary public appointment or remote online authorization.
Stamp registration
Register and upload the official stamp with the Secretary of State before the first notarial act.
Training
Attend the approved automatic-officer course, not exceeding ninety minutes under §14-14A-21(C), and demonstrate understanding of the course material.
County clerk or deputy county clerk registration
New Mexico State-Required Notary Exam
Examination
12.9.3.10(C) and 12.9.3.16(A) require proof of passing the ordinary state-required notary examination at 80% or higher before the first notarial act.
Filing fee
The July 2023 SOS handbook states there is no fee for Automatic Notarial Officer Stamp Registration; training-provider fees are separate.
Qualifying status
Be a New Mexico county clerk or deputy county clerk acting within the scope of those duties.
Scope
Automatic registration does not itself provide a commissioned notary public appointment or remote online authorization.
Stamp registration
Register and upload the official stamp with the Secretary of State before the first notarial act.
Training
Attend the approved automatic-officer course, not exceeding ninety minutes under §14-14A-21(C), and demonstrate understanding of the course material.
Judicial officer registration
New Mexico State-Required Notary Exam
Examination
12.9.3.10(C) and 12.9.3.16(A) require proof of passing the ordinary state-required notary examination at 80% or higher before the first notarial act.
Filing fee
The July 2023 SOS handbook states there is no fee for Automatic Notarial Officer Stamp Registration; training-provider fees are separate.
Qualifying status
Be a New Mexico state-court judge, qualifying special commissioner or hearing officer, special master appointed under Supreme Court rule or state statute, or a state-court clerk or deputy court clerk. Acts within judicial duties filed in the court are outside the statutory definition of a notarial act.
Scope
Automatic registration does not itself provide a commissioned notary public appointment or remote online authorization.
Stamp registration
Register and upload the official stamp with the Secretary of State before the first notarial act.
Training
Attend the approved automatic-officer course, not exceeding ninety minutes under §14-14A-21(C), and demonstrate understanding of the course material.
Secretary of State or full time staff registration
New Mexico State-Required Notary Exam
Examination
12.9.3.10(C) and 12.9.3.16(A) require proof of passing the ordinary state-required notary examination at 80% or higher before the first notarial act.
Filing fee
The July 2023 SOS handbook states there is no fee for Automatic Notarial Officer Stamp Registration; training-provider fees are separate.
Qualifying status
Be the New Mexico Secretary of State or a full-time member of that office; automatic authority is limited to the scope of official duties.
Scope
Automatic registration does not itself provide a commissioned notary public appointment or remote online authorization.
Stamp registration
Register and upload the official stamp with the Secretary of State before the first notarial act.
Training
Attend the approved automatic-officer course, not exceeding ninety minutes under §14-14A-21(C), and demonstrate understanding of the course material.

Notary Public Commission

Four-year commission to perform notarial acts; initial issuance and reappointment are governed by RULONA and 12.9.3 NMAC.

Licensing authority: New Mexico Secretary of State · Application information

Commission for an automatic officer acting outside official duties
New Mexico State-Required Notary Exam
Age
At least eighteen years old.
Assurance
Submit a $10,000 surety bond or functional equivalent issued by an entity authorized to do business in New Mexico; the bond includes the applicant’s notarized signature.
Automatic officer scope
For a judicial officer, the Secretary of State or a full-time SOS staff member, county clerk or deputy county clerk who is not licensed to practice law, a commission permits notarial acts outside the scope of automatic-officer duties under §14-14A-20(B)(6).
Board criminal history instruction
The SOS Become a Notary page additionally states: "Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit in the last five years." This implementing instruction is shown alongside the controlling four-year statutory provision.
Disqualification
Subject to NMSA 1978 §14-14A-22, including the preceding-four-year felony or fraud/dishonesty/deceit conviction provision.
Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $30 application fee; training and examination fees are separate.
Filing
SOS Notary Commissions instructions effective October 13, 2023 require electronic filing at https://enterprise.sos.nm.gov/. 12.9.3.8(A) also permits the prescribed paper application, and the Become a Notary page says paper applications may be requested.
In person electronic records
Before the first notarial act on an electronic record, notify the Secretary of State of the intended technology; any established standards apply under NMSA 1978 §14-14A-19(B). This notification is a condition of electronic practice under the commission, not an independently issued examination credential.
Language
Able to read and write English.
Oath
Submit the prescribed executed, notarized oath of office.
Other commission history
The SOS application page states the applicant must not have had a notary public commission denied, suspended, or revoked in another state; 12.9.3.8(B) also addresses prior denial or revocation.
Passing score
Pass the state-required examination with a score of at least 80%.
Stamp
Register the official stamp within 45 days of receiving the commission and before the first notarial act.
State connection
Resident of New Mexico or have a place of employment in New Mexico.
Training
Complete the Secretary of State approved notary education course and submit the completion certificate.
Initial commission by examination
New Mexico State-Required Notary Exam
Age
At least eighteen years old.
Assurance
Submit a $10,000 surety bond or functional equivalent issued by an entity authorized to do business in New Mexico; the bond includes the applicant’s notarized signature.
Board criminal history instruction
The SOS Become a Notary page additionally states: "Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit in the last five years." This implementing instruction is shown alongside the controlling four-year statutory provision.
Disqualification
Subject to NMSA 1978 §14-14A-22, including the preceding-four-year felony or fraud/dishonesty/deceit conviction provision.
Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $30 application fee; training and examination fees are separate.
Filing
SOS Notary Commissions instructions effective October 13, 2023 require electronic filing at https://enterprise.sos.nm.gov/. 12.9.3.8(A) also permits the prescribed paper application, and the Become a Notary page says paper applications may be requested.
In person electronic records
Before the first notarial act on an electronic record, notify the Secretary of State of the intended technology; any established standards apply under NMSA 1978 §14-14A-19(B). This notification is a condition of electronic practice under the commission, not an independently issued examination credential.
Language
Able to read and write English.
Oath
Submit the prescribed executed, notarized oath of office.
Other commission history
The SOS application page states the applicant must not have had a notary public commission denied, suspended, or revoked in another state; 12.9.3.8(B) also addresses prior denial or revocation.
Passing score
Pass the state-required examination with a score of at least 80%.
Stamp
Register the official stamp within 45 days of receiving the commission and before the first notarial act.
State connection
Resident of New Mexico or have a place of employment in New Mexico.
Training
Complete the Secretary of State approved notary education course and submit the completion certificate.
Recommission after a lapse exceeding one year
New Mexico State-Required Notary Exam
Age
At least eighteen years old.
Assurance
Submit a $10,000 surety bond or functional equivalent issued by an entity authorized to do business in New Mexico; the bond includes the applicant’s notarized signature.
Board criminal history instruction
The SOS Become a Notary page additionally states: "Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit in the last five years." This implementing instruction is shown alongside the controlling four-year statutory provision.
Disqualification
Subject to NMSA 1978 §14-14A-22, including the preceding-four-year felony or fraud/dishonesty/deceit conviction provision.
Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $30 application fee; training and examination fees are separate.
Filing
SOS Notary Commissions instructions effective October 13, 2023 require electronic filing at https://enterprise.sos.nm.gov/. 12.9.3.8(A) also permits the prescribed paper application, and the Become a Notary page says paper applications may be requested.
In person electronic records
Before the first notarial act on an electronic record, notify the Secretary of State of the intended technology; any established standards apply under NMSA 1978 §14-14A-19(B). This notification is a condition of electronic practice under the commission, not an independently issued examination credential.
Language
Able to read and write English.
Oath
Submit the prescribed executed, notarized oath of office.
Other commission history
The SOS application page states the applicant must not have had a notary public commission denied, suspended, or revoked in another state; 12.9.3.8(B) also addresses prior denial or revocation.
Passing score
Pass the state-required examination with a score of at least 80%.
Prior commission
Previously commissioned in New Mexico; reappointment is made in the same manner as an original application.
Renewal timing
Commission has expired for more than one year.
Retesting
Complete training and pass the examination again because the commission has expired for more than one year.
Stamp
Register the official stamp within 45 days of receiving the commission and before the first notarial act.
State connection
Resident of New Mexico or have a place of employment in New Mexico.
Training
Complete the Secretary of State approved notary education course and submit the completion certificate.
Amended commission certificate following a name change
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Current commission
Hold an existing New Mexico notary public commission.
Notification
Submit the prescribed information-change form within 30 days of the change.
Stamp
Obtain a new official stamp showing the updated name after the amended certificate is issued.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2023-06-16.

  • 12.9.3-nmac.html

    12.9.3.8(E) NMAC, complete information-change and amended-certificate procedure

Renewal or recommission within one year
New Mexico State-Required Notary Exam
Age
At least eighteen years old.
Assurance
Submit a $10,000 surety bond or functional equivalent issued by an entity authorized to do business in New Mexico; the bond includes the applicant’s notarized signature.
Board criminal history instruction
The SOS Become a Notary page additionally states: "Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit in the last five years." This implementing instruction is shown alongside the controlling four-year statutory provision.
Disqualification
Subject to NMSA 1978 §14-14A-22, including the preceding-four-year felony or fraud/dishonesty/deceit conviction provision.
Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $30 application fee; training and examination fees are separate.
Filing
SOS Notary Commissions instructions effective October 13, 2023 require electronic filing at https://enterprise.sos.nm.gov/. 12.9.3.8(A) also permits the prescribed paper application, and the Become a Notary page says paper applications may be requested.
In person electronic records
Before the first notarial act on an electronic record, notify the Secretary of State of the intended technology; any established standards apply under NMSA 1978 §14-14A-19(B). This notification is a condition of electronic practice under the commission, not an independently issued examination credential.
Language
Able to read and write English.
Oath
Submit the prescribed executed, notarized oath of office.
Other commission history
The SOS application page states the applicant must not have had a notary public commission denied, suspended, or revoked in another state; 12.9.3.8(B) also addresses prior denial or revocation.
Passing score
Pass the state-required examination with a score of at least 80%.
Prior commission
Previously commissioned in New Mexico; reappointment is made in the same manner as an original application.
Renewal timing
Renewal before expiration or after a lapse of no more than one year.
Retesting
A recorded prior passing score excuses repeating training and examination unless the Secretary of State determines substantial statute or rule changes; applicants without a recorded passing score must supply it. The existing passing examination remains a requirement leaf.
Stamp
Register the official stamp within 45 days of receiving the commission and before the first notarial act.
State connection
Resident of New Mexico or have a place of employment in New Mexico.
Training
Complete the Secretary of State approved notary education course and submit the completion certificate.

New Mexico State-Required Notary Exam

Provider
National Notary Association, approved by the New Mexico Secretary of State
Format
Online examination; completed in one sitting
Exam questions
50
Time limit
60 minutes
Passing score
80% or higher
Exam fee
$30 for the training and examination
Examination outline
  • Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts
  • 12.9.3 NMAC — Notarial Procedures
  • 12.9.4 NMAC — Remote Online Notarization Standards
  • 1.8.5 NMAC — Complaints Against Notaries
  • 1.8.1 NMAC — General Provisions
Examination sources