How to Become a Notary Public in New York

• Be a resident of New York, or maintain an office or place of business in New York if applying as a qualifying nonresident.
• Meet the competency and good-character requirements applied by the Department of State.
• Pass the written examination unless you qualify for a statutory exemption, such as admission to practice law in New York.
• Complete the oath of office and provide the information and documentation required by the current application.

1. 1

   Read the New York Notary Public License Law

   Study the official license-law booklet and the Department of State’s current applicant instructions.

2. 2

   Prepare for and take the written examination

   Most applicants must pass the state examination. Confirm the current schedule, locations, identification rules, and exam fee with the Department of State.

3. 3

   Keep the pass slip

   Successful candidates receive proof of passing that must be submitted with the notary application. Follow the validity instructions printed by the state.

4. 4

   Submit the application, oath, and $60 fee

   Complete the application accurately, execute the oath of office as instructed, and submit the non-refundable application fee.

5. 5

   Wait for the commission

   The Department of State transmits the commission and signature record to the appropriate county clerk. Do not perform notarial acts until commissioned.

For the details at this stage, review application and oath requirements and fees and total commission cost.

Topics to study

• Powers and duties of New York notaries
• Acknowledgments, proofs, oaths, and affidavits
• Personal appearance and satisfactory evidence of identity
• Notarial fees and prohibited legal practice
• Misconduct, fraud, forgery, and disqualification
• Electronic notarization and recordkeeping requirements

For the details at this stage, review exam dates and walk-in locations, exam study and preparation guide and exam results and pass-slip guidance.

• Use the exact commissioned name and include the required venue and notarial certificate information.
• Follow New York’s personal-appearance and identity-verification requirements for every notarial act.
• Charge no more than the fee authorized by New York law for the notarial act performed.
• Complete the additional registration and recordkeeping steps before performing electronic notarizations.
• Renew through the appropriate state or county process before the four-year commission expires.

For the details at this stage, review commission renewal requirements and electronic and remote notarization.