Massachusetts has more than 100,000 commissioned notaries, so finding one is rarely the hard part. Finding one who is available when you need them, speaks your language or will come to you takes a little more work, and confirming that someone is actually commissioned is not obvious, because the state has no online lookup. This guide covers both: where to find a notary in Massachusetts, and how to verify one.
Free and low-cost places to find a notary
The state's find a notary public page and the legal-aid site MassLegalHelp point to the same everyday options:
| Where | Good to know |
|---|---|
| City and town halls (clerk's office) | Often free or low cost for residents; call for hours |
| Banks and credit unions | Often free for customers; many require an appointment |
| Courts | Court staff may notarize court-related documents; ask the clerk's office |
| Law, real estate and insurance offices | Common for clients; policies vary for walk-ins |
| Pharmacies, shipping and print stores | Convenient hours; usually a per-signature fee |
| Mobile notaries | Come to you, including evenings, hospitals and care facilities, for a travel fee |
Two rules work in your favor. Under c. 222 § 16, a notary may not refuse to notarize just because you are not a client or customer of the notary or the notary's employer. And absentee-ballot materials and veterans' benefit applications must be notarized for free. See our notary fees guide for more on pricing.
Using our Massachusetts notary directory by city and town
Boston Notary Co. is a privately operated directory, not a government agency. It is built to answer the practical questions the official pages cannot: who is near you, who travels, who works after hours and who speaks your language. You can:
- Search by location on our find a notary page;
- Browse notaries in Boston, including mobile notaries who cover Boston neighborhoods; and
- Explore listings across the Commonwealth on our Massachusetts notaries page, by city, town and county.
Listings show services such as mobile visits, hospital and jail signings, loan signings, apostille help and languages spoken. Contact the notary directly to confirm availability and price. A listing in our directory is not a government certification, so it is still smart to verify the commission for important documents.
Is there an online notary lookup in Massachusetts?
No. Unlike some states, Massachusetts does not offer a public online notary search or verification tool, and none of the official notary pages link to one. Third-party sites that call themselves a "Massachusetts notary search" are directories like ours, built from their own listings, not official state records.
You may come across a PDF on the Secretary's website listing "Commissioners to Qualify Public Officers". That is a different list for a different purpose; it is not a roster of notaries.
How to verify a commission by phone
The official way to verify a Massachusetts notary is to contact the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Public Records Division, Commissions Section:
- Phone: 617-727-2836
- Email: comm@sec.state.ma.us
- Address: One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, MA 02108
The state's who-to-contact page says this office handles commission expiration dates and notary contact information. Have the notary's full name as it appears on the seal ready. You can also do a quick check yourself: a Massachusetts seal must show the notary's name as commissioned, "notary public", "Massachusetts" or "Commonwealth of Massachusetts", the expiration date and the state seal. An expiration date in the past is an immediate red flag.
Red flags: "notarios" and unauthorized legal advice
In many Latin American and European countries, a notario público is a lawyer with broad legal powers. A U.S. notary is not. Massachusetts law protects immigrant communities from this confusion:
- Section 16 prohibits notaries from using "notario", "notario publico" or similar non-English terms on business cards, ads, notices or signs.
- Section 17 bars non-attorney notaries from giving legal advice, advising on immigration status, or submitting immigration forms for clients. Before any immigration-related service, they must give you a written statement that they are not an attorney.
- Section 21 requires non-attorney notaries who advertise in a language other than English to display, in that language, a prominent statement that they are not an attorney and cannot give advice on immigration or other legal matters.
Be cautious if a notary promises results with immigration, offers to "handle your case", asks you to sign a blank document, or keeps your original papers. For legal help, contact a licensed attorney or a legal aid organization.
Filing a complaint about a notary
No single state office takes notary complaints, and the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office says it does not regulate notary conduct. Options include:
- Criminal conduct: report it to your local police department or the district attorney. The Attorney General and district attorneys can prosecute violations of Chapter 222 under § 18, with fines and possible jail time.
- Opposing reappointment: the Governor's office accepts a written statement (and any police report) sent to the Governor's Legal Office, State House, Room 271, Boston, MA 02133, with a copy to the Notary Public Office. Your statement may be shared with the notary.
- Unauthorized legal or immigration services: a person harmed by a § 17 violation may sue for damages, and such violations are treated as unfair or deceptive practices under consumer protection law.
The Governor, with the Governor's Council, may revoke a commission for official misconduct or other good cause.
FAQ
Can I look up a Massachusetts notary online?
No official online lookup exists. Call the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Public Records Division at 617-727-2836 to confirm a notary's commission and expiration date.
Where can I find a free notary in Massachusetts?
Try your city or town hall and your bank or credit union; some public libraries also offer notary services, so call first. Absentee-ballot materials and veterans' benefit applications must always be notarized for free.
Is a notario the same as a notary public?
No. A U.S. notary public is not a lawyer, and Massachusetts prohibits notaries from advertising as "notarios". Non-attorney notaries cannot give legal or immigration advice.
How do I report a notary in Massachusetts?
Report criminal conduct to local police or the district attorney. To oppose a notary's reappointment, send a written statement to the Governor's Legal Office with a copy to the Notary Public Office.
This guide from Boston Notary Co., a privately operated directory and not a government agency, is general information, not legal advice; confirm current law and procedures with the official sources linked above.