New York Notary Public Exam Overview
The New York Notary Public Exam is administered by the New York Department of State. New York has a straightforward but comprehensive exam that tests your understanding of notary law and procedures.
Passing this exam qualifies you to become a New York Notary Public—serving over 19 million residents in one of the nation's most active commercial and legal markets.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 40 multiple-choice |
| Time Limit | 1 hour |
| Passing Score | 70% (28 correct answers) |
| Exam Fee | $15 |
| Education Required | Not required (recommended) |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Filing Fee | $60 |
Why Become a New York Notary?
- Major market — Over 19 million potential clients
- Commercial hub — NYC business and legal activity
- Low barriers — No pre-education required
- Affordable — Lowest exam fee in the nation ($15)
- Unique function — Can protest negotiable instruments
📚 Start Your FREE New York Notary Exam Prep
Ready to begin studying? Our comprehensive, completely free New York Notary exam prep covers everything you need to pass.
→ Start FREE New York Notary Exam Prep
Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Notary Fundamentals (25%)
Commission Requirements:
- Must be 18 years or older
- New York resident (or maintain office/employment in NY)
- United States citizen or permanent resident
- No felony convictions (unless pardoned)
- Submit application to county clerk
Appointment Process:
- Apply through county clerk (any NY county)
- Pay $60 filing fee
- Take and file oath of office
- Commission valid statewide (despite county filing)
Oath of Office:
- Must take oath within 30 days of commission
- Filed with county clerk
- Swear to faithfully perform duties
2. Types of Notarial Acts (30%)
Acknowledgments:
- Signer acknowledges signing voluntarily
- Most common notarial act
- No oath required
- Certificate identifies type of acknowledgment
Jurats:
- Signer swears content is true under oath
- Notary administers oath or affirmation
- Signer must sign in notary's presence
- Common for affidavits
Oaths and Affirmations:
- Administered for various purposes
- No document needed
- Used for depositions, oaths of office
- Affirmation for those with religious objections
Protests (Unique to NY):
- Formal declaration of dishonored negotiable instruments
- Applies to checks and notes
- Must be done on day of dishonor or next business day
- Banking-related function
3. New York Executive Law Article 6 (20%)
Key Legal Provisions:
- Section 130 — Appointment of notaries
- Section 131 — Notary powers
- Section 132 — Prohibited acts
- Section 135 — Fees
- Section 136 — Misconduct and penalties
Prohibited Acts:
- Cannot notarize your own signature
- Cannot act with financial interest
- Cannot certify vital records
- Cannot practice law
- Cannot notarize without proper identification
Penalties for Misconduct:
- Commission revocation
- Civil liability
- Criminal charges for fraud
4. Identification and Procedures (15%)
Personal Knowledge:
- Notary personally knows the signer
- Most reliable form of identification
- No document verification needed
Satisfactory Evidence:
- Acceptable government-issued photo ID
- Driver's license
- Passport
- State ID card
- Credible witness (one witness who knows both)
Certificate Requirements:
- Proper venue (state and county)
- Type of notarial act
- Date performed
- Signature and seal of notary
- Commission expiration date
5. Fees and Records (10%)
New York Fee Schedule:
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $2 |
| Jurat | $2 |
| Oath or affirmation | $2 |
| Protest | $0.75 + additional fees |
Journal Requirements:
- Journal NOT required by law
- Strongly recommended for protection
- Many notaries keep voluntary records
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Notary fundamentals and appointment | 3-4 |
| Week 1-2 | Types of notarial acts | 3-4 |
| Week 2 | Executive Law Article 6 | 4-5 |
| Week 2-3 | Identification and certificates | 3-4 |
| Week 3 | Fees and unique NY provisions | 2-3 |
| Week 3-4 | Practice exams and review | 4-5 |
Total recommended study time: 20-25 hours
🎯 Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the New York Notary exam.
→ Access FREE NY Notary Practice Questions
New York-Specific Exam Tips
1. Understand County vs. Statewide Authority
Key New York distinction:
- Commission issued by county clerk
- But authority is statewide
- Can notarize anywhere in New York
- File in county of residence (or business)
2. Know the $2 Fee Limit
New York has the lowest notary fees in the nation:
- Maximum $2 per notarial act
- Cannot charge more under any circumstances
- Voluntary gratuities are separate
- Fee posted prominently if charged
3. Master Protests
Unique to New York notaries:
- Protest dishonored negotiable instruments
- Must occur on day of dishonor
- Or next business day at latest
- Banking function rarely used today
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | New York Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 70% (28/40) |
| Education | Not required |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Filing fee | $60 |
| Max fee per act | $2 |
| Oath deadline | 30 days |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Thinking commission is county-only — It's statewide
- Charging more than $2 — Strict fee limit
- Skipping oath administration — Required for jurats
- Not understanding protests — Unique NY function
- Missing oath deadline — Must file within 30 days
- Underestimating Executive Law — Heavily tested
After Passing Your Exam
- Complete application to county clerk
- Pay $60 filing fee to county
- Take oath of office within 30 days
- File oath with county clerk
- Obtain notary stamp (optional but recommended)
- Begin your notary practice — Commission valid 4 years
2026 New York Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Remote Online Notarization (RON) updates
- Electronic signature developments
- Fee schedule reviews
- Updated application procedures
Start Your New York Notary Career Today
The New York Notary Public commission opens doors to serving one of the nation's most active legal and business markets. With proper preparation, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
→ Begin FREE New York Notary Exam Prep Now
Our free study materials include:
- ✅ Complete topic coverage
- ✅ Practice questions with explanations
- ✅ Executive Law Article 6 specifics
- ✅ Study guides and summaries
- ✅ AI-powered study assistance
Don't pay for expensive prep courses when everything you need is available FREE.