# New York Notary Fees 2026: Maximum Fee Per Signature, Acknowledgments & RON

> NY notary fee limits in 2026: $2 per oath or affirmation and $2 per person for acknowledgments and proofs under Executive Law §136. $25 for electronic notarization. Full fee schedule, protest fees, travel rules, and overcharging penalties.

- Canonical: https://open-exam-prep.com/blog/new-york-notary-fees-maximum-per-signature-2026
- Published: 2026-04-02
- Updated: 2026-11-02
- Author: Ran Chen, EA, CFP®
- Publisher: OpenExamPrep, free exam prep

## Key facts

- New York Executive Law §136 sets the maximum notary fee at $2.00 per person for acknowledgments and proofs of execution (NY DOS).
- For one document, the $2.00 acknowledgment fee is per person: $2 for the first person and $2 for each additional person (NY Exec. Law §136(2)).
- Swearing each witness to an acknowledgment or proof adds $2.00 per witness under New York Executive Law §136(2).
- Administering an oath or affirmation, including a jurat, costs a maximum of $2.00 per act under New York Executive Law §136(1).
- Electronic notaries may charge up to $25.00 per electronic notarial act, inclusive of all costs (19 NYCRR 182.11(g), under NY Exec. Law §136(3)).
- A protest of note or commercial paper costs $0.75, and each additional notice of protest (limit 5) costs $0.10 (NY DOS fee schedule).
- The New York notary commission fee is $60.00 total ($40 appointment plus $20 oath filing) for a 4-year term (NY DOS).
- Filing a certificate of official character with a county clerk costs $10 under Executive Law §132; the Secretary of State charges $1 to issue one.
- New York does not require a surety bond for notaries; Executive Law §§130-131 and the DOS application list no bond.
- Bill A3360 (Senate version S10280) would raise New York notary fees from $2 to $5; as of November 1, 2026 NYSenate.gov lists it in the Assembly Governmental Operations Committee.

*Last updated: November 2, 2026. Based on the New York Department of State Notary Public License Law (September 2026 edition) and Executive Law §136.*

## New York Notary Fees at a Glance (2026)

Under Executive Law §136 and the Department of State fee schedule, a notary public may charge:

| Notarial Act | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Taking an acknowledgment | \$2.00 per person |
| Taking a proof of execution | \$2.00 per person |
| Administering an oath or affirmation (jurat) | \$2.00 per oath or affirmation (no per-person rule) |
| Swearing a witness | \$2.00 |
| Protest of note / commercial paper | \$0.75 |
| Each additional notice of protest (limit 5) | \$0.10 |
| Remote / electronic notarization | \$25.00 per act |
| Certificate of authenticity (for an electronic act) | \$2.00 |

New York notaries are **not authorized to certify copies** of documents: the Department of State says "A notary public has no authority to issue certified copies." Do not charge a "copy certification" fee. The one related act is papering out, a \$2.00 certificate of authenticity for a paper copy of an electronic record the notary notarized.

A bill (A3360; Senate version S10280) was introduced in the 2025-2026 legislative session to raise these fees from \$2 to \$5. As of November 1, 2026, NYSenate.gov lists it in the Assembly Governmental Operations Committee, so the \$2.00 cap is still in effect.

## How the \$2 Fee Counts People and Oaths

Executive Law §136 prices the two kinds of act differently. For an acknowledgment or proof, §136(2) allows \$2 "for taking and certifying the acknowledgment or proof of execution of a written instrument, by one person, two dollars, and by each additional person, two dollars, for swearing each witness thereto, two dollars." For an oath, §136(1) allows \$2 "for administering an oath or affirmation, and certifying the same when required," with no per-person wording.

| Scenario | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| One person acknowledges one document | \$2.00 |
| Three people acknowledge one document | \$6.00 (\$2 each) |
| One person acknowledges five documents | \$10.00 (\$2 per document) |
| One person acknowledges a document with two witnesses sworn | \$6.00 (\$2 acknowledger + \$4 for two witnesses) |
| Administering one oath or affirmation (for example, for a jurat) | \$2.00 per oath (§136(1)) |

**Key rule:** The per-person count applies only to acknowledgments and proofs, under §136(2), and it is stated for "a written instrument"; swearing each witness is an additional \$2. Because the fee is for the acknowledgment or proof "of a written instrument," each document is a separate \$2.00 acknowledgment: one person acknowledging five documents may be charged up to \$10.00. An oath or affirmation is \$2 under §136(1).

## Remote and Electronic Notarization Fees

New York permits Electronic Notaries to charge up to **\$25.00 per electronic notarial act**, the fee the Secretary of State set by regulation (19 NYCRR 182.11(g)) under Executive Law §136(3):

- The \$25 fee is inclusive of all costs incurred by the notary (technology, identity verification, etc.)
- The \$25 fee applies per notarial act, even if multiple acts occur in one session
- A certificate of authenticity for an electronically notarized document is a separate notarial act subject to the \$2.00 fee
- For remote online notarial acts, the jurat must include a statement that the act involved the use of communication technology

## Travel Fees: What the Law Says

New York's notary fee statute (Executive Law §136), the Department of State's fee rule (19 NYCRR 182.11) and its notary FAQ do not mention travel fees. What they do say: the fee for an oath, affirmation, acknowledgment or proof is \$2.00 ("Unless otherwise authorized by law, a notarial fee may not exceed this amount," in the DOS FAQ's words), and Public Officers Law §67 bars an officer from charging "a greater fee or reward, for that service, than is so allowed."

The law neither authorizes nor expressly prohibits a separate charge for travel. If you are a mobile notary, ask the Department of State before adding one, and never let any charge raise the fee for the notarial act above \$2.00.

For electronic notarial acts, the rule sets \$25.00 per act, "inclusive of all costs incurred by the notary public" (19 NYCRR 182.11(g)).

## Overcharging Is Misconduct

New York takes notary fee violations seriously:

- Asking for or receiving more than the statutory fee exposes a notary to **criminal prosecution, a civil suit and possible removal from office** (Department of State License Law booklet)
- Under Public Officers Law §67, the person overcharged can sue for **treble damages**
- The Secretary of State may suspend or remove a notary **for misconduct** after serving charges and giving an opportunity to be heard (Executive Law §130)

The Department of State explicitly states: "Unless otherwise authorized by law, a notarial fee may not exceed this amount."

## NY Notary Application and Commission Fees

Beyond fees for notarial acts, New York charges fees for the notary commission itself. The official Department of State schedule of fees:

| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Appointment as notary (total commission fee) | \$60.00 (\$40 appointment + \$20 oath filing) |
| Renewal / reappointment application | \$60.00 |
| Change of name/address | \$10.00 (not required for a name change resulting from a change in marital status) |
| Duplicate identification card | \$10.00 |
| Issuance of certificate of official character | \$1.00 |
| Filing certificate of official character | \$10.00 under Executive Law §132 (the DOS fee schedule still prints \$1.00) |
| Authentication certificate (county clerk) | \$3.00 |

The \$60 application fee covers the commission; applicants who must test also pay a separate \$15 fee for each exam taken. Commission terms last **4 years**. New York does **not** require a bond to become a notary.

## Who Is Exempt from the NY Notary Exam?

Not everyone needs to take the notary exam:

- **Attorneys** admitted to the New York State Bar are exempt from the exam
- **Court clerks** in the Unified Court System who passed a civil service promotional exam in the court clerk series of titles are exempt

Both groups must still pay the \$60 application fee and meet all other eligibility requirements.

## Fee Rules That Appear on the NY Notary Exam

The Department of State does not publish how many exam questions cover fees. Fee topics to know:

1. **Maximum fee amount** (\$2.00 for an oath or affirmation, or per person for an acknowledgment or proof; \$25.00 for an electronic notarial act)
2. **Per-person calculation** for acknowledgments and proofs only (and the \$2 per-witness add-on)
3. **What happens if a notary overcharges** (misconduct, potential removal)
4. **Remote notarization fee** (\$25.00, inclusive of all costs)
5. **Whether notaries must charge** (§136 says a notary "shall be entitled to" the fees, and the Department of State says a notary "may charge" them)
6. **Protest fees** (\$0.75 for a protest of note; \$0.10 per additional notice, limit 5)

## What Notaries Cannot Charge For

New York notaries may **not** charge for:

- Services that are not notarial acts they are authorized to perform (such as "copy certification" of a customer's document)
- Fees above the statutory maximum

## How NY Notary Fees Compare Nationally

Statutory acknowledgment fees in a few other states, for comparison:

| State | Acknowledgment Fee |
|---|---|
| New York | \$2.00 per person |
| Georgia | \$2.00 per notarial act |
| Nebraska | \$5.00 (acknowledgment); \$2.00 (oath or affirmation, or affidavit) |
| New Jersey | \$2.50 per act; \$15 or \$25 per real estate transfer or financing transaction |
| California | \$15.00 per signature |
| Florida | Up to \$10.00 per notarial act |
| Texas | \$10.00 first signature; \$1.00 each additional |
| North Carolina | \$10.00 per notarized principal signature (\$10 per person for an oath or affirmation without a signature) |

## Common Questions About NY Notary Fees

**Can a bank charge me a notary fee?**
The same §136 limits apply to every New York notary, including one at a bank: no more than \$2.00 for an oath or affirmation, or per person for an acknowledgment or proof. A notary may also choose not to charge.

**Can a notary charge a convenience fee?**
The notary fee law does not mention convenience fees. It caps the fee for the notarial act at \$2.00, and Public Officers Law §67 bars charging more than the allowed fee for that service.

**What if I was overcharged?**
You can file a licensing complaint with the New York Department of State. The Secretary of State may suspend or remove a notary for misconduct after a hearing (Executive Law §130).

**Can a NY notary certify a copy of my document?**
Generally, no. A New York notary public has no authority to issue certified copies. The one related act is papering out: an electronic notary may certify that a paper copy of an electronic record they notarized is accurate (a \$2.00 certificate of authenticity). Use the document custodian or issuing agency for certified copies.

## Practice CTA

- **[Start NY Notary Exam Prep](https://open-exam-prep.com/study-guides/ny-notary)**
- **[Free NY Notary Practice Test](https://open-exam-prep.com/practice/ny-notary)**
- **[Browse Notary Resources](https://open-exam-prep.com/blog?category=notary)**

## Official Sources (2026)

- [NY Department of State: Notary Public](https://dos.ny.gov/notary-public)
- [NY DOS: Notary Public FAQ](https://dos.ny.gov/notary-public-frequently-asked-questions)
- [NY DOS: Notary Public License Law (September 2026)](https://dos.ny.gov/notary-public-license-law-1)
- [NY Executive Law §136 (Notarial Fees)](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EXC/136)
- [Westchester County Clerk: Notary FAQs](https://www.westchesterclerkny.gov/legal-division/notary-public/notary-faqs)

## How to Turn This New York Notary Guide Into a Passing Study Plan

A notary exam or appointment review is not just a vocabulary test. It measures whether you can protect the signer, the document, the public record, and your own commission when the facts are messy. Read the rules above once for orientation, then convert them into a procedure checklist you can apply to acknowledgments, jurats, oaths or affirmations, and the electronic notarization rules that apply in New York.

Your first checklist should follow the order of a real appointment. Confirm that the requested act is one you are authorized to perform. Confirm personal appearance under the rules that apply to the act. Identify the signer using the acceptable evidence described in your New York materials. Screen for willingness, awareness, and basic communication. Complete the notarial certificate with the correct venue, date, signer name, notarial wording, signature, seal, and commission information. Record the act as 19 NYCRR 182.9 requires.

That sequence is important because practice scenarios often describe a signer who appears at the wrong time, presents weak identification, asks for legal advice, wants a blank document notarized, or asks the notary to choose the certificate. In those scenarios, memorizing definitions is not enough. You need to know the next lawful step. Usually the safest exam answer is the one that preserves impartiality, requires proper identification and personal appearance, refuses unauthorized practice of law, and follows the certificate requirements exactly.

## New York Commission Workflow and Documents to Verify

Before relying on any checklist, check the current process on the Department of State's notary pages and in the Notary Public License Law booklet. In New York the steps are: pass the Department of State's written exam (unless you are an exempt New York attorney or qualifying court clerk), complete the Oath of Office form and have it sworn and notarized, then apply online through NY Business Express with your pass slip, the scanned oath and the \$60 fee. The Department of State appoints you for a four-year term, sends you an identification card, and gives the county clerk a record of your commission and signature. New York requires no education course and no surety bond, and a seal is optional. Registering to perform electronic notarial acts is a separate step with its own \$60 fee.

Keep a small commissioning file with your exam pass slip, application confirmation, sworn oath of office, identification card and renewal date, and keep the records of your notarial acts for ten years, as 19 NYCRR 182.9 requires. If you plan to offer loan signing or mobile notary services, keep those business records separate from your official notary records. Your commission duties come first; marketing and signing-agent assignments never expand what state law allows you to notarize.

When you review fees, learn the statutory maximum for each act: \$2.00 for an oath, affirmation, acknowledgment or proof (Executive Law §136) and \$25.00 for an electronic notarial act, inclusive of all costs (19 NYCRR 182.11(g)). New York's fee law does not mention travel fees, so do not assume a separate charge is allowed; Public Officers Law §67 bars charging more than the allowed fee for a service.

## Procedure Drills That Build Exam Readiness

The fastest way to improve is to practice short appointment scenarios. Write five columns on a page: requested act, signer identity evidence, document condition, certificate wording, and notary action. Then create examples. A signer wants an acknowledgment but has not signed yet. A signer wants a jurat but refuses an oath. A signer brings an expired ID. A spouse asks you to notarize for an absent signer. A customer asks whether a power of attorney is legally sufficient. A remote signer passes credential analysis but cannot communicate clearly. For each scenario, write what you would do and why.

Focus especially on the difference between acknowledgments and jurats. In an acknowledgment, the signer acknowledges signing willingly; the document may have been signed before appearing if state law and the certificate allow it. In a jurat, the signer swears or affirms the truth of the document and usually signs in the notary's presence. Questions can hide the correct answer in those verbs. If the certificate says subscribed and sworn, think oath or affirmation. If it says acknowledged before me, think acknowledgment and voluntary execution.

Also drill refusal rules. A notary should refuse when the signer is not properly identified, does not personally appear as required, appears unwilling or unaware, asks the notary to perform an unauthorized act, presents a document with blanks that cannot be completed, or asks for legal advice. A refusal should be calm, specific, and tied to the rule. On the exam, avoid answers that make the notary a document adviser, immigration consultant, attorney, or party to the transaction.

## Recordkeeping, Seal, and Certificate Traps

Recordkeeping questions are easy points if you learn the pattern. 19 NYCRR 182.9 requires records made at the time of each notarial act that include the date, approximate time and type of act; the name and address of each person served; the number and type of notarial services; the type of credential used to identify the principal; the verification procedures used; and, for electronic acts, the communication technology and providers used. Keep them at least ten years. Do not invent information after the fact. Do not share record details casually. Do not let an employer take control of official records unless your state rules clearly allow a specific arrangement.

Seal questions in New York start with the rule that no seal is required: the Department of State says New York law does "not require the use of seals by notaries public." What Executive Law §137 does require is that you print, typewrite or stamp beneath your signature, in black ink, your name, the words "Notary Public State of New York," the county where you originally qualified, and your commission expiration date. If you use a stamp, keep it secure and never let another person use it. If a certificate has an error, correct it only in the manner allowed by your commissioning authority; do not backdate or attach a loose certificate unless the facts and state rules support that action.

Certificate wording is another common trap. A notary may identify the type of notarial act requested, but should not choose the legal effect of a certificate for a signer. If the document lacks a certificate, the signer or document recipient may need to choose or provide the wording. Your role is to complete the notarial act correctly, not to decide which form gives the document legal effect.

## If You Miss Questions in Practice

Use missed questions as a routing tool. If you miss identification questions, reread acceptable ID, credible witness, and personal knowledge rules. If you miss jurat questions, drill oath language and signature timing. If you miss fee questions, build a small chart of allowed fees and when they apply. If you miss remote notarization questions, separate traditional personal appearance from remote appearance, credential analysis, audio-video session rules, electronic recordkeeping and recording requirements, and technology-provider rules.

Then practice with mixed sets instead of rereading the whole guide. The goal is to recognize the lawful notary action under pressure. Start here: [New York notary study guide](https://open-exam-prep.com/study-guides/ny-notary) and use [notary practice questions](https://open-exam-prep.com/practice/exams/government/notary) for short, scenario-based review. When your explanations become precise, your score usually follows.

## FAQ

### What is the maximum notary fee in New York in 2026?

New York notaries may charge a maximum of $2.00 for administering an oath or affirmation, and $2.00 per person for an acknowledgment or proof, plus $2.00 for swearing each witness (Executive Law §136). For electronic notarization, the maximum is $25.00 per act.

### Is the $2 notary fee per document or per person in New York?

Both, for acknowledgments and proofs. Executive Law §136(2) sets the fee for the acknowledgment or proof "of a written instrument": $2.00 for one person and $2.00 for each additional person. Each document is its own acknowledgment, so one person acknowledging five documents may be charged up to $10.00 ($2 per document), and three people acknowledging one document up to $6.00. An oath or affirmation is $2.00 under §136(1), with no per-person rule.

### How much does a New York notary charge for remote notarization?

An Electronic Notary in New York may charge up to $25.00 per electronic notarial act. This fee may be charged for each notarial act during one session.

### What happens if a New York notary charges more than $2?

Asking for or receiving more than the statutory fee exposes a notary to criminal prosecution, a civil suit and possible removal from office, according to the Department of State's License Law booklet. Under Public Officers Law §67, the person overcharged can sue for treble damages.

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

The application fee is $60.00, and applicants who must test also pay $15.00 for each exam taken. Renewal costs the same $60.00. Name/address changes cost $10.00 (not required for a name change resulting from a change in marital status).

### Can a New York notary charge a travel fee?

New York's notary fee law (Executive Law §136) and the Department of State's guidance do not mention travel fees. They set $2.00 as the most a notary may charge for the notarial act itself, and Public Officers Law §67 bars charging more than the allowed fee for that service.

### How long is a New York notary commission?

New York notary commissions last 4 years from the date of issuance.

### Can a New York notary certify a copy of my document?

Generally, no. A New York notary public has no authority to issue certified copies. The one related act is papering out: an electronic notary may certify that a paper copy of an electronic record they notarized is accurate ($2.00). Use the issuing agency or document custodian for certified copies.

### How much can a New York notary charge for a protest of commercial paper?

The maximum is $0.75 for a protest of a note or commercial paper, plus $0.10 for each additional notice of protest, limited to five notices.

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