New Mexico Notary Public Exam Overview
The New Mexico Notary Public Exam is required for all first-time notary applicants under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA). New Mexico implemented RULONA effective January 1, 2022, which modernized notary requirements and authorized Remote Online Notarization.
The examination is administered through Secretary of State-approved vendors, including the National Notary Association, and requires an 80% passing score.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Education Course | Required (approved vendor) |
| Passing Score | 80% |
| Exam Delivery | Proctored online |
| Application Fee | $30 |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Surety Bond | $10,000 required |
Why Become a New Mexico Notary?
- Growing state — Albuquerque and Santa Fe expanding
- RULONA compliance — Modern notary framework
- Remote Online Notarization — NM allows RON
- Clear fee structure — $5 max per notarial act
- 4-year commission — Standard commission term
- Non-resident eligibility — Regular NM employment qualifies
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New Mexico Education and Exam Requirements
Mandatory Education Course
All first-time New Mexico notary applicants must:
- Complete the Notary Education Course through an approved vendor
- Pass the examination with a score of 80% or higher
- The course covers RULONA requirements and New Mexico notary law
Approved Providers:
- National Notary Association (NNA) — Approved by Secretary of State
- Other SOS-approved vendors
Renewal Exemption
You do NOT need to retake the education course and exam if:
- You passed the course/exam after January 1, 2022
- Your commission has not expired for more than one year
- The Secretary of State has record of your previous passing
If your commission lapsed more than 1 year: Full new applicant requirements apply (including education and exam).
Remote Online Notary (RON) Training
To become a RON, you must complete additional training:
- Complete the RON Education Course through approved vendor
- Pass the RON examination
- Pay $75 RON authorization fee
Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. RULONA Fundamentals (25%)
New Mexico RULONA (Sections 14-14A-1 to 14-14A-32 NMSA 1978):
- Definitions and scope
- Notarial officer qualifications
- Commission application process
- Duties and prohibitions
Commission Requirements:
- Must be 18 years or older
- New Mexico resident OR regular place of employment in New Mexico
- Able to read and write English
- No felony conviction or fraud-related crime in past 5 years
- No notary commission denial, suspension, or revocation in another state
- Complete education course and pass exam
- Obtain $10,000 surety bond
2. Types of Notarial Acts (30%)
Acknowledgments:
- Signer acknowledges signing voluntarily
- Most common notarial act
- Signer must personally appear (in-person or via RON)
Jurats (Verification on Oath or Affirmation):
- Signer swears content is true
- Must sign in notary's presence
- Notary administers oath or affirmation
Copy Certification:
- Certify copies of certain documents
- Cannot certify vital records
- Follow New Mexico requirements
Signature Witnessing:
- Witness the signing of a document
- Signer signs in notary's presence
Other Acts:
- Certifying that an event has occurred
- Certifying that an act has been performed
- As authorized by New Mexico law
3. Identification Requirements (20%)
Satisfactory Evidence of Identity:
| Method | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Personal Knowledge | Notary personally knows the signer |
| ID Document | Government-issued with photo, signature, and physical description |
| Credible Witness | One witness who personally knows signer and is known to notary |
Acceptable ID Documents:
- US Passport or passport card
- Driver license or state ID
- US military ID
- Foreign passport
4. Journal Requirements (15%)
Mandatory Journal: Every New Mexico notarial officer must keep a journal of all notarial acts:
Required Entries (contemporaneous):
- Date and time of notarial act
- Type of notarial act
- Brief description of document
- Full name and address of each signer
- Method of identification used
- If ID document used: type, issuer, and expiration date
- Fee charged (if any)
Journal Format:
- Tangible: Bound paper book with sequentially numbered pages
- Electronic: Secure, tamper-evident format convertible to PDF
Retention:
- Keep journal for at least 10 years after last entry
- Report lost/stolen journal to Secretary of State immediately
RON Journal Addition:
- Must record name of RON system provider used
5. Stamp Requirements (10%)
Official Stamp Must Include:
- Words "State of New Mexico" and "Notary Public"
- Your legal name exactly as on commission
- Your commission number
- Commission expiration date
- Great Seal of the State of New Mexico
Format:
- 10 point font minimum
- Must be legible and photographically reproducible
Registration Required:
- Register your stamp with Secretary of State within 45 days of commission
- Failure to register results in referral to State Ethics Commission
Fee Schedule
New Mexico sets maximum notary fees by state law:
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| All notarial acts | $5.00 per act |
| RON Technology Surcharge | Up to $25.00 per act |
Note: The $25 RON surcharge is in addition to the $5 notarial fee.
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Complete approved education course | 4-6 |
| Week 1-2 | RULONA sections and definitions | 3-4 |
| Week 2 | Notarial acts deep dive | 3-4 |
| Week 2-3 | Journal and stamp requirements | 3-4 |
| Week 3 | Identification and prohibited acts | 3-4 |
| Week 3-4 | Practice questions and review | 4-5 |
Total recommended study time: 20-25 hours
New Mexico-Specific Exam Tips
1. Know RULONA Inside and Out
New Mexico's exam is based on RULONA:
- Study Sections 14-14A-1 through 14-14A-32 NMSA 1978
- Understand modern notary terminology
- Know the definitions (Section 14-14A-2)
2. Master the 80% Threshold
The passing score is 80%, which is higher than many states:
- Cannot afford many wrong answers
- Review all topics thoroughly
- Take practice tests before the real exam
3. Understand Journal Requirements
New Mexico has strict journal requirements:
- Contemporaneous entries required
- Specific information must be recorded
- 10-year retention period
- Report lost/stolen journals immediately
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | New Mexico Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 80% |
| Bond amount | $10,000 |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Application fee | $30 |
| Max fee per act | $5 |
| Stamp registration | 45 days |
| Journal retention | 10 years |
| RON authorization fee | $75 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating the 80% pass requirement — Study thoroughly
- Skipping the education course — Mandatory for first-timers
- Not registering stamp on time — 45-day deadline is strict
- Incomplete journal entries — All required fields must be recorded
- Confusing RULONA with old law — New Mexico uses modern framework
- Forgetting RON requires separate training — Additional course and fee
After Passing Your Exam
- Obtain $10,000 surety bond from licensed surety
- Complete online application at Secretary of State portal
- Pay $30 filing fee (e-check or credit card)
- Have oath notarized by a New Mexico notary
- Wait for commission approval from Secretary of State
- Register your stamp within 45 days of commission
- Purchase journal meeting format requirements
- Begin your notary practice — Commission valid 4 years
Remote Online Notarization (RON) in New Mexico
New Mexico authorized RON under RULONA regulations (NMAC 12.9.3.1-16 and 12.9.4.1-19):
RON Requirements
- Be a commissioned New Mexico notary or Automatic Notarial Officer
- Complete RON education course and exam
- Apply for RON authorization ($75 fee)
- Upload electronic stamp to Secretary of State
- Use approved RON system provider
RON Performance Requirements
- Notary must be physically in New Mexico during the session
- Verify signer identity via ID scan plus credential analysis or KBA
- Use e-certificate, e-seal, and e-signature
- Record in e-journal noting the RON provider
- Observe signer behavior for signs of coercion
RON Record Retention
All RON providers must be approved by the Secretary of State.
Total Cost to Become a New Mexico Notary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Education Course & Exam | $50-$100 (vendor dependent) |
| Application Fee | $30 |
| Surety Bond (4 years) | $50 (typical) |
| Notary Stamp | $25-$50 |
| Notary Journal | $15-$30 |
| Total Estimated | $170-$260 |
RON Additional Costs:
- RON Course & Exam: $50-$100
- RON Authorization Fee: $75
Start Your New Mexico Notary Career Today
New Mexico's RULONA-based system provides a modern framework for notarial practice. With proper preparation and an 80% score on the exam, you can join the ranks of New Mexico notaries serving the Land of Enchantment.
Our resources include:
- Complete topic coverage
- Practice questions with explanations
- RULONA specifics for New Mexico
- Study guides and summaries
- AI-powered study assistance