There are many reasons why someone would seek to be a notary public. You might be the owner of a small business; you may work in an office where clients and customers have frequent need of a notary's services; you may enjoy the official nature of the duties; or it may be a requirement of your job. No matter what the reason, appointment as a notary public is a serious undertaking. The notary is a "public official," a person given a public trust, a person whose duties and responsibilities cannot be taken lightly. The notary serves a vital role in the execution of a wide range of documents. Whenever individuals see a document that has been "notarized," they should be confident that the notarial act has been performed correctly. As a notary public it is your responsibility to use intelligence and judgment, and always perform your duties as required by Connecticut State law. You must remember that others are relying on your honesty and integrity.

The office of notary public has a long and proud history in our society. Their work is rarely glamorous, but it is so important that the highest courts in the nation routinely accept properly notarized documents as evidence in legal matters. In fact, the law governing notaries gives them the same mission as sworn law enforcement officers, "to serve and protect."

The Department of Licensing has worked to keep the notary public application process as simple as possible. A prospective notary need only submit a complete application, proof of a $10,000 surety bond, and appropriate fees to the Department of Licensing in order to begin the process. Once an applicant has completed all application requirements and proven that he or she is eligible, the Department will have a new certificate of commission mailed out promptly. New in 2018, notaries public can also apply for an electronic records notary public endorsement, which allows the notary to perform notarial acts on electronic documents as well as paper documents. The application process is similar to the application process for the commission, and can be done at the same time or separately.