The City Clerk's Office has notaries public who are available to notarize certain documents for $1.00 per seal.

Legal Limits

A Notary Public does not provide legal advice to a requestor of this service, interpret the document for the requestor, nor can the Notary attest to the requestor’s state of mind.

Service Limits

Notary Public services are normally available during regular business hours of City Hall. To assure that the Office can accommodate your service needs, we recommend that you contact the Office ahead of time by calling 978-374-2312 to confirm the availability of Notary Public services.

Service Guidelines

As it is the case with any service offered to the public, there are several limits as to what a Notary Public can provide.  The following is a list of documents that the City Clerk's office Notary Public is NOT able to notarize:

• copies of vital records
• power of attorney documents
• passports
• drivers licenses
• tax documents
• diplomas/professional certificates
• titles to vehicles or trailers
• I-9 forms (employee verification forms)

Service Requirements

In order to provide valid Notary Public Service(s), requestors are responsible for the following:

• Any signatory(s) to a document(s) presented for notary service must provide a valid, government-issued photo identification;
• The document presented for notary service cannot be pre-signed or dated;
• All signers to the document presented for notary service must be present to sign so that the Notary can witness the signature during the notarization process;
• The document presented for notary service must contain the appropriate Notarial Statements (Clauses).In accordance with State Notary Public Procedures there are no exceptions to this requirement. These Clauses include the following:
  • Types of Notary: Jurat (statements are true) OR Acknowledgement (ones free act)
  • The Oath given by the Notary to identify the type of notary act;
• Signatory(s) to the document presented for notary service will need to bring witnesses with them for any documents requiring witness signatures. Such witnesses will also need to present proper identification (see above) to the Notary at the time of signature.

Reservation to Provide Notary Services

In accordance with Massachusetts Notarial practice, the City Clerk’s Office reserves the right to deny notarial services, in their sole discretion, if:

• the above-mentioned limits and guidelines are not followed;
• documents are incomplete or are in questionable format;
• documents do not include a proper notarial clause/statement;
• documents are printed in any language other than English;
• the request for Notary service(s) gives rise to any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt or uncertainty.

Notary Oaths / Oaths of Office

If you have been appointed as a Justice of the Peace, a Notary Public, or a member of a state commission or board by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and need to take your oath of office you may come into the City Clerk's office to take your oath.

Do I need an appointment?

Oaths are administered on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 8 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 4 PM ONLY. 
Your oath must be witnessed, and your appointment certificate must be signed by two Commissioners to Qualify. You must call ahead to confirm the availability of two Commissioners to Qualify. Please only call after you have received your certificate of appointment and related documents from the Commonwealth.  Oaths are only being administered by our on staff Commissioner to Qualify on Wednesdays and Thursdays 8 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 4 PM. 

What is a notary oath/oath of appointment?

If you have been appointed as a Notary Public, a Justice of the Peace, or a member of a state commission or board by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to take an oath of office prior to notarizing documents, performing marriages, or participating on the appointed board or committee.

Are there any fees for the oath service?

There is a fee of $20.00 which can be paid by either cash, card (we do not accept American Express), or check. We can provide you with a receipt, if you need it for reimbursement.

How will the state know if I took my oath?

Our office will mail your Form O to the Secretary of the Commonwealth for you following your appointment.