What You Need to Do to Become a Notary in New York

To become a notary public 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 New York Department of State, pass it, and pay a fee to receive your commission. The whole process typically takes four to eight weeks from the time you submit your process to when your commission arrives in the mail.

New York does not require you to take a course before the exam, but most people study a notary handbook or take a prep course to pass. The exam covers New York notary law, what notaries can and cannot do, how to handle documents, and common mistakes. You do not need to work for a company or have a sponsor to become a notary — you can do this on your own.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 18 years old, a New York resident, and able to read and write English to take the notary exam.
  • The exam is offered by the New York Department of State and covers notary law, document handling, and common errors notaries make.
  • You can study using the official New York Notary Public Handbook, which is free and available online from the Department of State website.
  • After you pass the exam and submit your process with the required fee, your commission typically arrives within four to eight weeks.
  • Your notary commission lasts four years in New York, and you must renew it before it expires if you want to continue working as a notary.

Meet the Basic Requirements

New York has four core requirements to sit for the notary exam. You must be at least 18 years old, a resident of New York State, able to read and write English, and of good moral character. "Good moral character" means you have not been convicted of a felony or certain other crimes — the Department of State will check this when you submit your process.

You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, but you do need to live in New York. If you move out of state, your commission becomes invalid. You also do not need to have a job lined up or work for a specific employer — many notaries work independently or notarize documents for friends and family on a part-time basis.

Study the Notary Handbook and Prepare for the Exam

The New York Department of State publishes the Notary Public Handbook, which is free and covers everything on the exam. You can read it from the Department of State website under the Notary Public section. The handbook explains what notaries can do (witness signatures, take acknowledgments, administer oaths), what they cannot do (give legal information, notarize blank documents), and how to handle common situations.

Most people spend two to four weeks studying the handbook before taking the exam. The exam itself is 50 multiple-choice questions, and you need a score of at least 70 percent to pass. You can take the exam on a computer at a testing center, and results are usually available the same day. If you fail, you can retake the exam after paying the fee again.

Some people choose to take a paid prep course or buy study guides from third-party vendors, but these are optional — the free handbook is thorough enough to pass the exam if you study it carefully.

Register for the Exam and Pay the Fee

To register for the exam, you go to the New York Department of State's website and create an account in their online system. You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and email. The exam fee is $50, and you pay it when you register. Once you register, you can choose a testing date and location from the available options.

Testing centers are located throughout New York State, and you can usually find one near you. The exam is offered on weekdays and some Saturdays. After you register and pay, you will receive a confirmation email with your exam date, time, and location. You should arrive 15 minutes early with a valid photo ID.

Take the Exam and Submit Your process

On exam day, bring a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card). The exam takes about one hour. You will sit at a computer and answer 50 multiple-choice questions about New York notary law. The testing center will tell you your score before you leave.

If you pass, you then submit your process to the New York Department of State. You will need to fill out the notary process form, include a copy of your exam passing score, provide proof of New York residency (a utility bill or lease), and pay the commission fee of $60. You can submit this by mail or in person at a Department of State office. After the Department of State receives and processes your process, your notary commission will be mailed to you — this usually takes four to eight weeks.

Understand Your Notary Commission and Renewal

Once you receive your commission, you are officially a notary public in New York. Your commission is valid for four years from the date it is issued. During those four years, you can notarize documents, witness signatures, take acknowledgments, and perform other notary duties. You do not need to register with anyone or report where you work — you can notarize documents wherever you are.

Before your four-year commission expires, you must renew it if you want to continue working as a notary. The renewal process is similar to the initial process: you take the exam again, pay the renewal fee (currently $60), and submit your renewal process. Many notaries renew their commission a few months before it expires to avoid a gap in their authority.

Know What You Can and Cannot Do as a Notary

As a New York notary, you can witness the signing of documents, take acknowledgments (confirm that a person signed a document of their own free will), administer oaths and affirmations, and certify copies of certain documents. You cannot give legal information, prepare legal documents, determine whether a document needs to be notarized, or notarize a document if you have a financial interest in it.

One common mistake is notarizing a blank document or a document the signer has not read. You must see the signer sign the document in front of you, and the signer must be present and willing. You also cannot notarize a document for a family member in most cases — New York law prohibits notaries from notarizing documents for spouses, parents, children, or siblings. If you break these rules, you can lose your commission and face fines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to take a notary course before the exam?

No. New York does not require a course. You can study the free Notary Public Handbook from the Department of State website and take the exam. Many people pass without taking a paid course, though some choose to take one for extra preparation.

How much does it cost to become a notary in New York?

The exam fee is $50 and the commission fee is $60, for a total of $110. If you fail the exam and retake it, you pay the $50 exam fee again. Renewal after four years costs $60.

Can I notarize documents for my spouse or family members?

No. New York law prohibits notaries from notarizing documents for spouses, parents, children, or siblings. You also cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in it or if you are a party to the transaction.

What happens if I move out of New York after I become a notary?

Your New York notary commission becomes invalid if you move out of state. You would need to become a notary in your new state if you want to continue working as a notary there.

How long does it take to receive my notary commission after I pass the exam?

After you submit your process with your passing exam score and the commission fee, the Department of State typically processes it within four to eight weeks. Your commission will be mailed to you at the address you provided on your process.