Connecticut does not require a journal for traditional notarizations — but strongly recommends one. Remote notarization is available under PA 23-28 for paper documents only — not electronic, and not for land records. No registration required for remote acts. NotaryAct is state-configured for Connecticut — best-practice journal for all notarizations, session documentation for remote acts.
| ⚖️ Connecticut Notary Journal Law — Quick Reference | |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | CGS Chapter 33 (§§ 3-94a et seq.) · Public Act 23-28 (remote acts, eff. Oct 1, 2023) |
| Traditional Journal | Not required by law · Strongly recommended as best practice |
| Remote Notarization | Authorized (PA 23-28) — paper documents only · NOT for land records ✓ |
| Remote Registration Required? | No — any commissioned CT notary may perform remote acts; no special fee or credential |
| Electronic Documents via Remote? | Not available — PA 23-28 requires a physical paper document ✓ |
| Land Records Documents | Not permitted remotely — must be in-person · CT attorney-closing requirement ✓ |
| Journal Recommended for Remote Acts | Yes — CT Secretary of the State strongly recommends journal entry for all acts |
| Thumbprint / Fingerprint | Not required · Not prohibited · Optional in NotaryAct CT configuration |
| Max Notarial Fee | $5 per notarial act (CGS § 3-95) |
| Commission Term | 5 years · $120 application fee · Exam required in application |
| Town Clerk Recording | Required within 30 days of certificate of appointment — oath must be recorded ✓ |
Connecticut does not require a journal for traditional notarizations. Unlike most neighboring states, Connecticut’s General Statutes (CGS Chapter 33) contain no journal mandate. The Secretary of the State strongly recommends keeping one, and the case for doing so is the same as in any state without a requirement: a contemporaneous record is the notary’s best defense against any challenged notarization.
Connecticut’s remote notarization framework — authorized under Public Act 23-28, effective October 1, 2023 — is notably different from full electronic RON. Understanding what it is and what it isn’t matters for every Connecticut notary.
Connecticut’s remote act framework is closer to Remote Ink Notarization (RIN) than standard RON. Here is exactly how it works under CGS § 3-95b:
The document must be physical (paper). PA 23-28 does not authorize fully electronic documents or electronic signatures. The transaction involves a tangible paper document that the signer signs with wet ink — on camera — and then physically sends to the notary.
Process: The notary and signer communicate via simultaneous live two-way audio-video technology. The signer appears on camera and signs the paper document in the notary’s view. The signer then sends the signed original document to the notary. When the notary receives the physical original, they complete the notarial certificate with their own wet-ink signature and seal. The date of notarization is the date of the video session, not the date the notary received the document.
What it cannot be used for: Documents intended for recording in Connecticut land records (deeds, mortgages, liens). Connecticut is an attorney-closing state under CGS § 51-88a — all real estate closings must be conducted by a Connecticut-licensed attorney, and remote notarization does not change this requirement. If you receive a request to remotely notarize a deed or mortgage for Connecticut recording, decline and refer the signer to an attorney.
No registration needed. Connecticut’s no-registration model means any commissioned notary can perform remote acts without applying for special authorization. This efficiency comes with responsibility — the notary must independently comply with all PA 23-28 requirements without a registration process to guide them.
While not legally required, these are the fields every Connecticut notary should include in every journal entry. NotaryAct’s Connecticut configuration enables all of them.
| 1 | Date and Time — Auto-timestamped by NotaryAct at submission. |
| 2 | Type of Notarial Act — Acknowledgment, jurat, witnessing a signature, or copy certification. NotaryAct dropdown covers all CT-authorized act types. |
| 3 | Document Description — Title or type of document. NotaryAct includes a dedicated field. |
| 4 | Signer’s Name and Address — Auto-filled by NotaryAct’s barcode scanner from any CT driver’s license. |
| 5 | Identity Verification Method — Personal knowledge or ID type and details. NotaryAct supports both with dedicated fields. |
| 6 | Signer’s Signature — Electronic signature capture. For remote acts, note that it was performed remotely. |
| + | Fee Charged — Connecticut’s max is $5 per notarial act. NotaryAct includes a fee field. |
✔ NotaryAct is state-configured for Connecticut: All best-practice fields enabled for traditional notarizations. For remote acts, NotaryAct provides journal entry support with a field to note the act was performed remotely and the technology platform used — capturing the recommended record even without a statutory mandate. Fingerprint capture available as an optional feature.
Other state guides: New York · New Jersey · Massachusetts · Pennsylvania · All 50 States →
NotaryAct’s Connecticut configuration gives you a comprehensive best-practice journal for all notarizations and remote act documentation support for PA 23-28 sessions — even without a statutory requirement. The record you keep today is the protection you’ll need tomorrow.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information reflects Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 33 and Public Act 23-28 (effective October 1, 2023) as in effect June 2026. Consult the Connecticut Secretary of the State Notary Public Unit at portal.ct.gov/sots or qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
