Hello everyone, We know things have been a little quiet here in the forum, and we want to take a moment to check in. While you may not be seeing daily updates, please understand that work is actively happening behind the scenes every single day. We have been in contact with multiple legislators, both past and present, as well as other state officials, continuing to push forward on issues that matter to New Jersey notaries. These conversations take time, persistence, and follow-through, and we are fully engaged in that process. Our commitment remains the same: to advance the profession, strengthen standards, and provide meaningful, accessible education to notaries across the state. That mission is driving everything we are doing right now. We appreciate your patience and your continued support. Your involvement and trust allow us to keep moving forward, even when progress is not always visible in real time. Team NJNA

277 Miles. 6 Legislators. 21 County Clerks. One Message: New Jersey Is Failing Its Notaries. This week, I personally delivered comprehensive evidence packets to every original sponsor (that is still in office) of the 2021 notary modernization law (P.L.2021, c.179). The drive totaled 277 miles. The packets included our full legislative report, the letter to Treasurer Binder, and a copy of the Garden State Notary textbook. In addition, we mailed packets to all 21 county clerks across New Jersey. Each clerk received a letter and a copy of the textbook. The message to both legislators and clerks was simple: The law you wrote promised six hours of education. The State provides 45 minutes of video. We need your help. Here is where things stand: Third OPRA Request – Denied, But No Privilege Log On April 6, 2026, the State denied our third OPRA request (W249781). We had asked for records about the creation of the 45-minute videos and the decision to exclude independent vendors. The denial did not say "no records exist." Instead, the State claimed a "deliberative material" exemption. But they provided no privilege log. No list of what records they are withholding. No explanation of why each record qualifies for the exemption. Without a privilege log, their claim is procedurally defective. It also strongly suggests that records do exist. Emails about why the videos are only 45 minutes. Contracts with producers. Internal discussions about excluding vendors. We will be filing a complaint with the Government Records Council (GRC) challenging this denial. What This Means for NJNA Members The State is not being transparent. They are not saying "we have nothing to hide." They are saying "we will not show you." But here is what we know: - The State has no records of any education program oversight (first OPRA response) - The State admits it "opted" to be the sole provider and never created a vendor approval process (second OPRA response) - The State is now refusing to release records about the 45-minute videos and the vendor decision, claiming exemption but providing no privilege log (third OPRA response)

QUESTION RECEIVED: I have been asked by a husband and wife to notarize a school form containing an acknowledgment. The couple are very well known to me, so I do not need their identification. Both of them have already signed the form. Only the wife is able to visit me in person. Can I accept the husband’s acknowledgment via FaceTime video? ANSWER: No. In New Jersey, performing a notarization for someone who is not physically present before you requires authorization to perform Remote Online Notarizations (RON). RON must be conducted through a state-approved platform that meets New Jersey’s security and recordkeeping standards. Video chat services such as FaceTime, Google Meet, and Skype do not satisfy these requirements and cannot be used for this purpose. If you are not authorized as a Remote Online Notary through the State of New Jersey, you may not perform remote notarizations. SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVES: OPTION 1: Suggest the couple use an approved Remote Online Notary. Both individuals would be able to appear remotely before an authorized New Jersey notary public to complete the notarization together. Many notaries in our organization are authorized to perform RON services. OPTION 2: Complete the notarization for the wife only, in person. The document can then be sent to the husband, who can appear before a notary in the state where he is physically located to complete his portion. Note: The out-of-state notary must be authorized to perform notarizations in that state. OPTION 3 (If permitted by the document issuer, in this case the school): Complete the notarization for the wife only. The husband can then complete a separate but identical copy of the form where he is currently located. Note: This is a practical workaround if the school permits, but it’s not a formal notarial solution. This simply splits the acknowledgment into two separate forms with separate notarizations. For many documents, such as those for loans, this would most likely not be an allowable solution. Acceptance is entirely up to the receiving party (the school) and should be verified in advance before proceeding with this scenario.