The New Jersey notary public complaint form is the document the public uses to file a complaint against a notary public with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES), which acts as the State Treasurer's agent for the notary commissioning program. It is for complaints about notarial acts or about information on a notary's commission. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and its instructions are published by DORES at the official URL below.
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What is Notary Public Complaint Form – New Jersey?
The Notary Public Complaint form is the document the public uses to file a complaint against a New Jersey notary public with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES), which acts as the State Treasurer's agent for the state's notary public commissioning program.
In New Jersey the State Treasurer is the commissioning officer for notaries public. Notaries serve at the pleasure of the Treasurer, who may remove a notarial commission or impose corrective actions on a notary who acted negligently or committed misconduct. This form is how a member of the public brings such a concern to DORES.
The form has blocks for the submitter, the notary, the date of the alleged improper act, witnesses, a description of the alleged infraction, supporting evidence and a sworn verification completed before a notary public. It is specific to notaries: it is not a general complaint form for other agencies or professions.
DORES can investigate only notarial acts and information that relates to the truthfulness of statements a notary made on the commission application. Neither DORES nor the State Treasurer can impose civil or criminal penalties on a notary, evaluate documents forensically, give legal advice or judge the validity or legal sufficiency of documents tied to a notarial act.
The form warns that DORES will bring the matter to the notary's attention and let the notary respond, sharing the substance of the complaint and copies of the supporting documents.
Who needs to file Notary Public Complaint Form – New Jersey?
Any member of the public who wants to complain about a New Jersey notary public can use this form. The complaint must relate specifically to notarial acts or to information about the notary's commission.
- Submitters. You identify yourself in the Submitter block, using a home address, business address or PO Box.
- Witnesses. If applicable, you may name people who were a party to or observed the notarial act, or who have direct knowledge of facts that support the complaint.
Do not use this form to ask DORES or the State Treasurer to impose civil or criminal penalties on a notary, to evaluate a document forensically, to obtain legal advice, or to decide whether a document is valid or legally sufficient. The instructions state that DORES has no authority to do any of those things. DORES is also limited to notarial acts and to the veracity of statements on the notary's commission application.
Before you file, understand that DORES will tell the notary what the complaint says and will give the notary copies of your supporting documents so the notary can respond.
When to file Notary Public Complaint Form – New Jersey
File the complaint when you believe a New Jersey notary public acted improperly in a notarial act, or gave untrue information on a commission application, and you are ready to swear to the facts before a notary. The form asks for the date the alleged improper act or acts occurred, so have it ready. No separate filing deadline is printed on the form or its instructions. Collect the notarized document involved, and any other evidence you want considered, before you sign the verification, because the evidence goes in the same package.
Documents you need
- A copy of the notarized document or documents involved in the complaint; the form says to be sure to include it.
- If possible, a copy of the page from the notary's journal showing the entry for the act in question.
- Receipts for fees charged, if that kind of evidence fits the alleged infraction.
- Correspondence with the notary, if it supports the complaint.
- Verified witness statement or statements, if they fit the nature of the infraction.
- Statements from law enforcement or court officials about the notarial act, if available.
- Examples of the notary's advertising material, if relevant to the alleged infraction.
- Documents indicating the notary is engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, if that is part of the complaint.
- Additional sheets for witnesses or for the description of the alleged infractions, if the space on the form is not enough.
How to fill out Notary Public Complaint Form – New Jersey
Enter your details as submitter
In the Submitter block, enter your name, street, city, state and ZIP code, telephone number, cell phone number and e-mail address. You may use a home address, business address or PO Box.
Identify the notary public
In the New Jersey Notary Public Information block, enter the notary's name, the Notary ID if known, and the city and ZIP code of the location. The Division's online look-up at https://www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/notary.shtml can help you find this.
Enter the date of the act
At Date Alleged Improper Act(s) Occurred, write the date or dates on which the alleged improper acts took place.
List any witnesses
In the Witnesses block, give the name, address, telephone, cell phone and e-mail for each witness, if applicable. There are two witness entries; attach additional sheets if needed.
Describe the alleged infractions
Under Description of Alleged Infraction(s), state the specific actions you believe violate the notary law and list the facts that support your statements. Give as much detail as possible and attach additional sheets if needed.
Prepare the supporting evidence
Gather copies of documents that support your complaint, including a copy of the notarized document or documents involved. If possible, add a copy of the notary's journal page for the act in question.
Complete the Verification
Print the submitter's name, then sign and date the Verification, which states that the information in the complaint is true. Do this with a New Jersey notary public.
Have the notary complete the jurat
The notary enters the county, the name of the person who appeared, the notary's printed name and signature, and the notary stamp or seal.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that every block is legible and complete. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, add your evidence and mail the package as described under How to submit.
How to submit Notary Public Complaint Form – New Jersey
The form is submitted by mail to the Notary Unit at DORES.
- By mail: send the completed, signed and notarized complaint with your supporting evidence to: PO Box 452, Trenton, NJ 08646, Attn: Notary Unit Supervisor.
The package should contain the completed form, any additional sheets for witnesses or for the description of the alleged infraction, and copies of the notarized document and other supporting evidence. The verification must be executed with a New Jersey notary public before mailing. The form and instructions name no other channel. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the mailing channel above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out a copy of the notarized document involved in the complaint, which the form says to include.
- Mailing the complaint without the verification being executed before a New Jersey notary public, with the notary's name, signature and stamp or seal.
- Writing a vague description instead of stating the specific actions you believe violate the notary law and the facts that support them.
- Asking DORES to fine or prosecute the notary, rule on a document's validity or give legal advice; the instructions say it has no authority to do so.
- Filing a complaint that is not about a notarial act or about information on the notary's commission.
- Submitting an illegible form; the instructions ask that it be completed legibly.
- Sending the complaint to any address other than PO Box 452, Trenton, NJ 08646, Attn: Notary Unit Supervisor.
- Expecting the complaint to stay confidential from the notary, when DORES will share its substance and your supporting documents with the notary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the New Jersey notary public complaint form?
It is the form the public uses to file a complaint against a New Jersey notary public with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES), the State Treasurer's agent for the notary commissioning program. It covers notarial acts and information about a notary's commission.
Who can file a complaint against a notary in New Jersey?
Any member of the public may use the form. You identify yourself as the submitter and may name witnesses who took part in or observed the notarial act or know facts supporting the complaint. The complaint must relate to notarial acts or to the notary's commission information.
Does the form have to be notarized?
Yes. The instructions say to sign, date and execute the verification with a New Jersey notary public. The jurat on the form records the county, that you appeared personally and swore or affirmed that you signed the complaint and that it is true.
What should I attach to a notary complaint?
Attach a copy of the notarized document involved and, if possible, a copy of the notary's journal page for that act. Depending on the case, receipts, correspondence, verified witness statements, law enforcement or court statements, advertising or proof of unauthorized practice of law can also be added.
Where do I mail the notary complaint form?
Mail it to PO Box 452, Trenton, NJ 08646, Attn: Notary Unit Supervisor. The form and instructions give this as the way to submit the completed complaint and name no other channel.
Will the notary see my complaint?
Yes. The form says DORES must bring the matter to the notary's attention and let the notary respond. It will tell the notary the nature and substance of the complaint and give the notary copies of the supporting documents you submit.
Can DORES fine a notary or cancel a document?
No. DORES and the State Treasurer cannot impose civil or criminal penalties, judge whether a document is valid or legally sufficient, or give legal advice. The Treasurer may remove a notarial commission or impose corrective actions on a notary who acted negligently or committed misconduct.
Can I fill out the notary complaint form online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the complaint with DORES; you still need the notarized verification and must mail the package yourself.
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