What You Need to Do to Become a Notary in New York
To become a notary in New York, 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 with your exam results. The whole process takes roughly four to six weeks from exam to commission.
New York does not require you to take a formal course before the exam, though many people do. You can study on your own using the official study guide, take a paid prep course, or both. The exam itself covers New York notary law, your duties and restrictions, and how to handle common notarization situations.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 or older, a New York resident, and able to read and write English to sit for the notary exam.
- The Department of State exam costs money and tests your knowledge of New York notary law, duties, and procedures — there is no required prep course, though study materials are available.
- After passing the exam, you submit an process to the Department of State with your exam results, a character reference, and the commission fee.
- Your notary commission lasts six years and requires you to renew it before it expires if you want to keep working as a notary.
- You must keep a journal of every notarization you perform, including the date, the document type, and the signer's identification details.
The Age, Residency, and Language Requirements
New York requires you to be at least 18 years old on the day you take the exam. You must also be a resident of New York State — the Department of State defines this as having a permanent home in the state where you intend to live. A mailing address alone does not count; you need to show you actually live there.
You must be able to read and write English. This is tested during the exam itself — if you cannot read the questions or write your answers in English, you cannot pass. New York does not offer the exam in other languages, and there is no exception for people who speak English as a second language.
You cannot become a notary if you have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors. The Department of State conducts a background check as part of your process. If you have a criminal record, contact the Department of State before you pay for the exam to find out whether your conviction disqualifies you.
Taking the Notary Exam
The exam is offered year-round at testing centers run by Prometric, a third-party testing company. You schedule your exam online through Prometric's website. The exam costs money (the fee varies and changes periodically, so check the Department of State website for the current amount). You will need to bring a valid photo ID to the testing center.
The exam is 50 multiple-choice questions covering New York notary law, your powers and limitations, how to identify signers, how to handle documents, and what to do in common situations like refusing a notarization or dealing with a signer who cannot speak English. You have 90 minutes to complete it. You must score at least 70 percent to pass.
The Department of State publishes an official study guide that covers all the material on the exam. You can read it free from the Department of State website. Many people study the guide on their own; others take a paid prep course in addition. Neither is required, but both can help you pass on your first attempt.
Submitting Your process After You Pass
Once you pass the exam, you receive a score report. You then submit an process to the Department of State that includes your exam results, a completed process form, a character reference letter from someone who knows you (not a family member), and the commission fee. The character reference does not need to be from a lawyer or public official — a teacher, employer, or long-time friend will do.
Mail your process packet to the Department of State's Division of Licensing Services at the address listed on their website. Do not submit it in person. The Department of State processes applications in the order they arrive. Processing typically takes two to four weeks, though it can take longer during busy periods.
Once approved, the Department of State mails you a commission certificate. Your notary commission is valid for six years from the date it is issued. You do not need to renew it during those six years, but you must renew before it expires if you want to keep working as a notary.
Getting Your Notary Seal and Journal
After you receive your commission certificate, you must obtain a notary seal (also called a stamp) and a journal before you perform any notarizations. The seal is a rubber stamp or embosser that imprints your name, the words "Notary Public," and the date on documents. You can order a seal from any office supply company or online retailer — there is no official seal; any seal that includes your name and "Notary Public" is acceptable.
The journal is a bound book where you record every notarization you perform. New York law requires you to keep a journal and to make an entry for each notarization that includes the date, the type of document, the signer's name and address, the signer's identification details (what ID they showed you and the ID number), and your signature. The journal must be bound so pages cannot be removed. You can buy a notary journal from office supply companies or online.
Keep your seal and journal find. If your seal is lost or stolen, you must notify the Department of State in writing. If your journal is lost or stolen, you must also notify the Department of State and file a police report.
Renewing Your Notary Commission
Your commission lasts six years. About three months before it expires, the Department of State mails you a renewal notice. To renew, you complete a renewal process, pay the renewal fee, and submit it to the Department of State. You do not have to take the exam again to renew — you only need to pass the exam once.
If you miss the renewal important date, your commission expires and you can no longer work as a notary. You would then have to take the exam again and submit a new process as if you were becoming a notary for the first time. To avoid this, mark your commission expiration date on your calendar and submit your renewal process at least a month before it expires.
What You Cannot Do as a Notary in New York
New York law restricts what notaries can do. You cannot notarize a document if you are a party to it — for example, you cannot notarize a deed if you are buying or selling the property. You cannot notarize a document for a family member (defined as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling). You cannot notarize a signature if the signer is not present in front of you, and you cannot notarize a blank document.
You cannot charge more than a set fee per notarization (the fee is set by New York law and changes periodically — check the Department of State website for the current amount). You cannot give legal information, prepare documents, or tell someone what to sign. If someone asks you to do any of these things, you must refuse the notarization.
If you violate these rules, you can be fined, sued by the person harmed, or have your commission revoked. Keep a copy of the official notary handbook from the Department of State and refer to it when you are unsure whether you can notarize something.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to take a notary course before I take the exam?
No. New York does not require a prep course. You can study the official study guide on your own and take the exam. Many people do this and pass. Others take a paid course in addition to studying the guide. A course is optional, not required.
Can I become a notary if I have a criminal record?
It depends on the conviction. Felonies and certain misdemeanors disqualify you. Contact the Department of State before you pay for the exam and describe your conviction — they can tell you whether it bars you from becoming a notary.
How much does it cost to become a notary in New York?
The exam fee, process fee, and commission fee vary and change periodically. Check the Department of State website for the current amounts. Budget roughly $100 to $150 total, though the actual cost may be higher or lower. A prep course, if you take one, costs extra.
Can I notarize documents for my spouse or parent?
No. New York law prohibits you from notarizing for a spouse, parent, child, or sibling. You also cannot notarize a document if you are a party to it — for example, if you are buying a house, you cannot notarize the deed.
What happens if my notary commission expires?
Once it expires, you can no longer work as a notary. You must take the exam again and submit a new process to get a new commission. To avoid this, renew your commission before it expires — the Department of State mails you a renewal notice about three months before the expiration date.