What You Need to Do to Become a New York Notary

To become a notary public in New York State, you must be at least 18 years old, a New York resident, and able to read and write English. You then take a written exam administered by the Department of State, pay a fee, and submit an process. The entire process takes roughly four to six weeks from exam to commission.

New York does not require you to work for a specific employer or have prior experience. You do not need to attend a formal class, though many people study using prep materials or online courses to pass the exam. The test covers New York's notary laws, what notaries can and cannot do, and how to handle common documents like affidavits and acknowledgments.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 18, a New York resident, and able to read and write English before you can take the notary exam.
  • The written exam is offered year-round at testing centers across New York; you schedule your own appointment and pay the exam fee at registration.
  • After passing the exam, you submit an process to the Department of State with your exam results, fingerprints, and a $60 commission fee.
  • Your commission lasts four years and covers the entire state; you can renew it by taking the exam again before your term expires.
  • You must maintain a journal of every notarization you perform and keep it available for inspection by the Department of State.

Meet the Basic Requirements

New York's requirements are straightforward. You must be at least 18 years old, a resident of New York State, and able to read and write English. You cannot have been convicted of a felony or crime involving dishonesty, and you cannot have had a notary commission revoked or suspended in any state.

Residency means you must live in New York, not just work there. If you move out of state, your commission ends. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, but you must be able to prove your identity and New York address when you explore. A driver's license or state ID card is the most common proof.

Schedule and Pass the Notary Exam

The Department of State contracts with Pearson VUE to administer the notary exam. You schedule your test appointment directly through Pearson VUE's website. The exam is offered year-round at testing centers in most New York counties, though availability varies by location. You pay the exam fee (currently $50) when you register.

The exam has 50 multiple-choice questions and you must score at least 70 percent to pass. You have two hours to complete it. The test covers New York Penal Law sections on notaries, the Notary Public Code of Conduct, proper procedures for acknowledgments and affidavits, and what documents notaries cannot notarize. Many people study using the Department of State's official study guide, which is free and available on their website.

You can retake the exam if you do not pass, but you must pay the fee again and schedule a new appointment. There is no limit on how many times you can attempt it.

Submit Your process to the Department of State

After you pass the exam, you have one year to submit your process. You will need your exam results, a completed process form (filed through the Department of State's online portal), proof of New York residency, and fingerprints taken at an approved location. The Department of State maintains a list of fingerprinting vendors on its website.

The process fee is $60. You pay this when you submit your process online. The Department of State will review your process, run a background check, and contact you if they need additional information. Processing typically takes two to four weeks after they receive a complete process.

Once approved, the Department of State mails you a commission certificate. Your commission is valid for four years from the date it is issued and covers all of New York State.

Understand What Notaries Can and Cannot Do in New York

A New York notary can administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments (certify that a person signed a document), and witness signatures on certain documents. You can notarize affidavits, powers of attorney, deeds, and many other papers. You cannot, however, notarize a document if you have a financial interest in it, if you are a party to the document, or if the signer is not present in front of you.

You also cannot notarize a document in a language you do not understand, and you cannot certify a photocopy of a document unless New York law specifically allows it. Many people mistakenly believe notaries can certify copies; in most cases, only a certified public accountant, attorney, or government official can do that.

New York law requires you to keep a journal of every notarization you perform. The journal must include the date, the type of document, the signer's name and address, the signer's form of identification, and your fee. You must keep this journal for at least six years and make it available to the Department of State if they request it.

Renew Your Commission Before It Expires

Your notary commission lasts four years. To continue working as a notary after your term ends, you must take the exam again and submit a renewal process. You cannot renew without retaking the test. The Department of State sends renewal notices to notaries about three months before their commission expires, but it is your responsibility to track your expiration date.

If your commission expires before you renew, you cannot perform notarizations. You can still take the exam and explore for a new commission, but there will be a gap in your authority. Some employers require notaries to maintain an active commission at all times, so plan ahead.

Know the Costs and Timeline

The total cost to become a notary in New York is roughly $110 to $130, depending on where you get your fingerprints taken. The exam fee is $50, the process fee is $60, and fingerprinting typically costs $10 to $20. Some vendors charge more, so call ahead if cost is a concern.

The timeline from start to commission usually takes four to six weeks. If you schedule your exam when ready, pass on your first attempt, and submit a complete process right away, you could be commissioned in as little as three weeks. If you need to retake the exam or if the Department of State requests additional information, it may take longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to work for a bank or law firm to become a notary?

No. New York does not require you to be employed by any specific business or organization. Many notaries work independently or use their commission for personal reasons. Some employers do require their employees to become notaries as part of the job, but that is separate from the state's requirements.

Can I notarize documents for family members?

No. New York law prohibits you from notarizing a document if you have a direct financial interest in it or if you are related to the signer in a way that creates a conflict. You also cannot notarize if the signer is your spouse, parent, child, or sibling. The rule exists to prevent fraud and may support impartiality.

What happens if I move out of New York?

Your commission ends when ready when you move out of state. You cannot perform notarizations in New York or any other state using a New York commission. If you move back to New York later, you can take the exam again and explore for a new commission.

Can I notarize documents online or by video?

New York law generally requires the signer to be physically present in front of you. Remote notarization is not permitted under standard New York law, though this may change. Always check the current rules with the Department of State before attempting any remote notarization.

How much can I charge for a notarization?

New York law sets a maximum fee of $2 per signature for most notarizations. Some documents have different limits, so check the current fee schedule on the Department of State website. You can charge less than the maximum, but not more.