2026 New York Notary
Exam Prep
No mandatory course, bond, or fingerprinting requirement. Prepare for the one-hour written exam using the current New York Department of State booklet and schedule.
New York Notary Exam at a Glance
Everything you need to know before exam day — sourced from the NY Department of State and Executive Law Article 6.
| Detail | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Format | Multiple choice, paper-based, in-person |
| Questions / Passing Score | Not publicly specified by NY DOS |
| Time Limit | 1 hour |
| Result Reporting | Pass / Fail only — no numerical score reported |
| Exam Fee | $15 (check, money order, MasterCard, or Visa — no cash) |
| Application Fee | $60 (initial or renewal) |
| Administered By | New York Department of State — in-person sites listed on the current schedule |
| Registration | Most sites are walk-in; some NYC sessions require advance email scheduling |
| Results | Pass / Fail notice mailed when available; no numerical score |
| Retake Policy | May retake on another listed date; $15 fee for each exam |
| Score Validity | 2 years from the date passed |
| Training Course | Not required |
| Surety Bond | Not required |
| Fingerprinting | Not required (but must disclose criminal history on application) |
What the Exam Covers
The official notice says exam topics include license law, general terms, and information related to notarial duties and functions as outlined in the free NY DOS booklet. The main study areas are:
Definitions & Powers
Core definitions from Executive Law § 130–135, including who qualifies, who is exempt, what a notary may and may not do, and the difference between a notary and a Commissioner of Deeds. Knowing the exact boundaries of notarial authority is essential.
Acknowledgments & Jurats
The most tested concept on the exam. Acknowledgments let a signer acknowledge a pre-signed document; jurats require the signer to sign in the notary's presence and take an oath. Mixing these up is the most common way candidates lose points.
Fees & Fee Schedule (§ 136)
The $2.00 cap per traditional act (in place since 1991) and the $25.00 cap for electronic notarial acts. Expect questions testing whether you know the fee limit applies per person signing, per oath, or per act — and that the $2 cap is frequently lower than what other states charge.
Misconduct & Penalties (§ 135-a, § 135-b)
Acting without a commission, fraud or deceit in office, advertising violations (including foreign-language ads without the required disclaimer), and general misconduct. Know which violations are misdemeanors vs. civil penalties, and the $1,000 civil cap for advertising violations.
Journal & Signature Requirements
Mandatory journal since January 25, 2023 — every notarial act must be logged and retained for 10 years. Under § 137, your name, title, county, and expiration date must appear beneath your signature on every notarization. Newer exam versions increasingly test these requirements.
Where to focus: Use the current DOS booklet as the primary study source. Review statutory amounts, deadlines, definitions, and the boundaries of notarial authority, then use practice questions to identify topics that need another reading.
How to Become a New York Notary
- 1 Check that you qualify. Be a New York resident or have an office/place of business in NY. Be 18+, of good moral character, and not disqualified by a felony or disqualifying misdemeanor. Pardons, certificates of relief, or certificates of good conduct can restore eligibility.
- 2 Get and study the License Law booklet. Download the free "Notary Public License Law" PDF from dos.ny.gov/notary-public. DOS identifies it as the outline for the license-law, general-terms, and notarial-duty topics on the exam.
- 3 Confirm the current exam procedure. Check the DOS schedule for dates, locations, and whether your site is walk-in or requires advance confirmation. Bring current government-issued photo ID, the $15 fee, and two #2 pencils. Arrive at least 15 minutes early — late arrivals are not admitted.
- 4 Wait for your result. The current notice says DOS mails a Pass or Fail notice and does not provide a numerical score. A passed exam result is valid for 2 years. If you fail, you may retake on another listed date; the $15 fee applies each time.
- 5 Complete your Oath of Office. Download form DOS-2201, have it administered by any current notary public (typically done as a free courtesy), and scan the signed form as a PDF.
- 6 Submit your online application. Apply through businessexpress.ny.gov. Upload your Oath of Office PDF and pay the $60 application fee. DOS forwards your info to your county clerk automatically.
- 7 Receive your commission card. Online applicants get a printable ID card by email. It shows your name, county, and commission term (4 years).
- 8 Buy your supplies. A notary journal is legally required — log every act, retain records for 10 years. A rubber stamp (name, "Notary Public State of New York," county, expiration date) is not legally required but is practically essential under § 137.
New York Notary Study Guide
Click any topic to expand. Each section highlights the exact details most likely to appear as exam questions.
💰 New York Notary Fee Schedule
Executive Law § 136 · $2 cap since 1991
New York Notary Fee Schedule
Executive Law § 136 · $2 cap since 1991
New York sets maximum fees under Executive Law § 136. You may charge less or waive fees, but never exceed the statutory cap.
| Notarial Act | Maximum Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Administering an oath or affirmation | $2.00 | Per act |
| Acknowledgment or proof of execution | $2.00 | Per person signing |
| Swearing each witness to an acknowledgment or proof | $2.00 | Per witness |
| Electronic notarial act | $25.00 | Per act — requires separate e-notary commission |
| Certificate of authenticity ("papering out") | $2.00 | Converting e-notarized doc for paper filing |
Current fee check: The March 2026 DOS booklet lists $2 for an ordinary oath or acknowledgment and $25 for each electronic notarial act. Confirm the current booklet before relying on any fee amount in practice.
📌 Exam tip: The $2.00 per-act fee is one of the most tested figures. Know that it applies per person signing for acknowledgments, and that electronic acts carry a separate $25.00 maximum.
⚖️ Acknowledgments vs. Jurats
Most frequently tested concept on the entire exam
Acknowledgments vs. Jurats
Most frequently tested concept on the entire exam
Confusing these two is the most common source of wrong answers on the NY exam.
📄 Acknowledgment
- • Signer must personally appear before the notary
- ✓ Pre-signed document is OK — signer only acknowledges the signature is theirs
- ✗ No oath is administered
- • Common uses: deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney
✋ Jurat
- • Signer must personally appear before the notary
- ✗ Signer MUST sign in the notary's presence — no pre-signing
- ✓ Notary MUST administer an oath or affirmation
- • Common uses: affidavits, sworn statements, depositions
📌 Most commonly tested detail: A pre-signed document CAN receive an acknowledgment but CANNOT receive a jurat.
🚫 Prohibited Acts & Penalties
§ 135-a · § 135-b · Know the exact penalty types
Prohibited Acts & Penalties
§ 135-a · § 135-b · Know the exact penalty types
A New York notary may NOT:
- ✗Solemnize (perform) marriages
- ✗Issue certified copies of public records
- ✗Give legal advice or practice law (unless an attorney)
- ✗Notarize a document in which they have a direct financial or beneficial interest
- ✗Act under a commission that has expired
- ✗Advertise notarial services in a foreign language without the required English-language disclaimer
Penalties (memorize these):
| Violation | Penalty | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Acting as a notary without a commission (§ 135-a) | Misdemeanor | Criminal |
| Fraud or deceit in performance of duties (§ 135-a) | Misdemeanor + removal from office | Criminal |
| Advertising violation, 1st offense (§ 135-b) | Civil penalty up to $1,000 | Civil |
| Advertising violation, 2nd offense (§ 135-b) | Suspension | Administrative |
| Advertising violation, 3rd offense (§ 135-b) | Removal from office | Administrative |
| General misconduct | Personal liability for all damages to injured party | Civil |
| Failure to include required info under § 137 | Disciplinary action (notarization remains valid) | Administrative |
| Failure to keep required journal | Disciplinary action; potential suspension or removal | Administrative |
📌 Exam tip: Know which violations are misdemeanors (acting without commission, fraud) vs. civil penalties (advertising violations up to $1,000). The escalating consequences for advertising violations — $1,000 → suspension → removal — are a favorite exam question pattern.
📓 Journal & Signature Requirements
Mandatory since Jan 25, 2023 · § 137 · 10-year retention
Journal & Signature Requirements
Mandatory since Jan 25, 2023 · § 137 · 10-year retention
Effective January 25, 2023: Every New York notary — including traditional in-person notaries — must maintain a journal of all notarial acts. Records must be retained for 10 years. This is a relatively new requirement that now appears on updated versions of the exam.
Under § 137, every notarization must include beneath the notary's signature:
- ✓Notary's name (as commissioned)
- ✓Title: "Notary Public State of New York"
- ✓County of qualification
- ✓Commission expiration date
- ✓Official number (required in NYC counties: Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond)
Stamp vs. no stamp: The law doesn't require a physical stamp — but the § 137 inscription must appear on every notarization in black ink. Most notaries use a rubber stamp because it's faster and because recipients (banks, title companies) expect it. A willful failure to include the required information is a disciplinary violation, though the notarization itself remains valid.
📌 Exam tip: Know that New York does not require a stamp by law — but does require the § 137 inscription. Know that the journal requirement took effect January 25, 2023, and that records must be kept 10 years.
🏛️ Notary vs. Commissioner of Deeds
Frequently appears on the exam as a contrast question
Notary vs. Commissioner of Deeds
Frequently appears on the exam as a contrast question
The Commissioner of Deeds is a separate office — appointed by certain cities, most notably New York City — with more limited powers than a notary. Exam questions frequently contrast the two to test whether you know the boundaries of each role.
Notary Public
- • Commissioned statewide by NY DOS
- • Authority is valid throughout all of New York State
- • Can administer oaths, take acknowledgments, take proofs of execution, take depositions, protest commercial paper
- • 4-year commission term
Commissioner of Deeds
- • Appointed by cities (notably NYC)
- ✗ Authority is limited to the city that appointed them
- • More limited powers — primarily takes acknowledgments and administers oaths within city limits
- • 2-year term (NYC)
📌 Exam tip: The key contrast is geographic jurisdiction. A notary can act anywhere in New York State. A Commissioner of Deeds can only act within the city that appointed them.
💻 Electronic Notarization (RON)
Executive Law § 135-c · Separate commission required
Electronic Notarization (RON)
Executive Law § 135-c · Separate commission required
New York authorized Remote Online Notarization (RON) under Executive Law § 135-c. A traditional notary commission does not authorize electronic notarizations — you must apply separately.
- → Apply through NY Business Express for an electronic notary commission
- → When issued, the e-notary commission replaces your traditional commission — you get a new ID number you must use on all notarizations going forward
- → You must submit an exemplar (your digital signature and seal) after commissioning
- → Electronic acts carry a separate $25.00 maximum fee (vs. $2.00 for traditional acts)
"Papering out": An electronic notary may also prepare a certificate of authenticity converting an electronically notarized document into a paper format for filing with a county clerk or recording officer. Fee: $2.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions New York notary candidates ask most.
Do I need to take a course before the New York notary exam?
How do I sign up for the exam?
How hard is the NY notary exam?
What happens if I fail?
How much can I charge for a notarization?
Do I need a notary journal?
Do I need a notary stamp or seal?
Can I notarize for family members?
Official Resources
NY DOS Notary Public
Main portal — booklet download, exam schedule, FAQs
Become a Notary Public
Step-by-step application guide from DOS
Application Portal (NY Business Express)
Submit your application and pay the $60 fee
Executive Law Article 6
Full text of §§ 130–142-a — the law the exam draws from
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