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Exam Review

Key Facts: NY Notary Exam

$60

NY Application Fee

NY DOS Become a Notary Public - Fees (checked 2026-10-19)

4 years

Commission Term

Executive Law §130; NY DOS Notary Public License Law, September 2026 (checked 2026-10-19)

1 hour

Exam Time Limit

NY DOS July-December 2026 Notary Written Exam Info and Schedule (checked 2026-10-19)

$2

Max Fee (Acknowledgment)

Executive Law §136 (checked 2026-10-19)

$2

Max Fee (Oath/Affirmation)

NY DOS Notary Public FAQs (checked 2026-10-19)

18+

Minimum Age

Public Officers Law §3(1) (checked 2026-10-19)

For 2026, New York requires a 1-hour multiple-choice proctored exam. DOS reports results only as passed or failed and does not publish the question count or a numeric passing score. The $15 exam fee plus $60 application fee total $75, passing results are valid for 2 years, and the commission term is 4 years. New York does not require a notary surety bond, but all notaries must keep a journal of notarial acts for 10 years under the current recordkeeping rule. NY attorneys and qualifying court clerks are exempt from the exam.

Sample NY Notary Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the NY Notary exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 358+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the PRIMARY role of a notary public in New York?
A.To provide legal advice about documents
B.To verify the identity of document signers and prevent fraud
C.To guarantee that the document is legally valid and enforceable against everyone who signs it
D.To prepare legal documents for signers
Explanation: The primary role of a notary public is to verify the identity of document signers and help prevent fraud. Notaries do NOT provide legal advice, guarantee document legality, or prepare legal documents.
2What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in New York?
A.18 years old
B.21 years old
C.19 years old
D.25 years old
Explanation: New York notary applicants must be at least 18 years old. A notary public is a public officer, and Public Officers Law Section 3 makes 18 the minimum age for holding civil office in New York.
3Which of the following is a notary public in New York authorized to do?
A.Explain the legal effects of a document to a signer
B.Verify the truthfulness of contents in a document
C.Administer oaths and affirmations
D.Provide legal advice about real estate transactions
Explanation: Notaries are authorized to administer oaths and affirmations. They are prohibited from explaining legal effects, verifying document truthfulness, or providing legal advice.
4How long is a notary public commission valid in New York?
A.2 years
B.4 years
C.5 years
D.10 years
Explanation: New York notary commissions are valid for 4 years. Notaries must renew their commission before it expires to continue performing notarial acts.
5Which New York state agency oversees notary public commissions?
A.New York State Police
B.New York Department of State
C.New York Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Frauds
D.New York County Clerk
Explanation: The New York Department of State oversees notary public commissions, including applications, renewals, and compliance with state notary laws.
6A signer personally appears but cannot produce a government-issued photo identification card. What may a New York notary rely on instead?
A.A sworn statement of identity signed by the signer and kept in the notary's journal
B.The oath of a witness personally known to both the signer and the notary
C.Nothing - the notarial act cannot be performed
D.A photocopy of the signer's expired driver's license
Explanation: Under 19 NYCRR Section 182.5(b)(4), identity may be established by the oath or affirmation of a witness who is personally known to both the individual and the notary; Section 182.5(b)(5) also allows two witnesses who know the signer personally and present their own qualifying identification. Two current documents bearing the signer's signature (182.5(b)(2)) or the notary's personal knowledge (182.5(b)(3)) are other routes. A signer cannot supply their own identification by sworn statement, and an expired or photocopied credential is not a current, valid card.
7What is an acknowledgment?
A.A sworn statement, taken before the notary, that everything contained in the document the signer subscribed is true and correct
B.A formal declaration by the person who executed an instrument that the execution is that person's act and deed
C.A statement that the notary prepared the document
D.A statement that the document is legally valid
Explanation: The License Law booklet defines an acknowledgment as a formal declaration, before a duly authorized officer, by a person who has executed an instrument that such execution is that person's act and deed. No oath is administered, and it is not essential that the signer sign in the notary's presence.
8What is a jurat?
A.A certificate used to paper out an electronic record
B.The part of an affidavit in which the notary certifies that it was sworn to before the notary
C.A certificate in which the notary witnesses a signature without administering an oath or verifying the document's contents
D.A certificate authorizing an attorney to practice law
Explanation: The booklet defines a jurat as that part of an affidavit where the officer certifies that it was sworn to before them; the jurat is not the affidavit itself. The customary wording is 'Sworn to before me this ___ day of ___.'
9What must a notary do BEFORE performing a notarial act?
A.Confirm the signer is personally present and verify their identity
B.Require the signer to state their age
C.Require the signer to produce a social security card together with a second document bearing their address
D.Require the signer to complete an application
Explanation: Before any notarial act, the notary must confirm the signer personally appeared and verify the signer's identity with satisfactory evidence. A notary is not required to read the document, ask the signer's age, demand a social security card, or have the signer complete an application.
10Which advertising practice does the License Law booklet expressly forbid a notary?
A.Listing the notary's business hours, telephone number and office address on a printed business card that is handed out to prospective clients and members of the public
B.Circulating any paper or advertisement, or telling anyone, that the notary has powers or rights not given by the laws under which the notary was appointed
C.Stating the county in which the notary originally qualified
D.Naming the statutory fee the notary charges for an acknowledgment
Explanation: The booklet's Professional Conduct list bars a notary from advertising in, or circulating in any manner, any paper or advertisement, or saying to anyone, that the notary has powers or rights not given by the laws under which the notary was appointed. Executive Law Section 135-b adds separate rules and penalties for advertising in a language other than English.

About the NY Notary Exam

New York requires a 1-hour multiple-choice proctored exam for notary commissioning. The exam covers license law, general terms, and the duties and functions of a notary public. Exams are offered at DOS sites across the state; outside New York City they are walk-in with no pre-registration, while New York City exams are scheduled by email.

Exam sponsor: New York Department of State. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

1 hour

Passing Score

Pass/fail (numeric passing score not published)

Exam / Certification Fees

$15 exam + $60 application

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. DOS reports results only as passed or failed and does not publish pass rates Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Not published

Commission, Eligibility, and Application

Age/location requirements, $60 application fee, background check, oath of office, 4-year commission term

Not published

Notarial Acts and Procedures

Acknowledgments, jurats, oaths/affirmations, proofs, depositions, papering out electronic records, personal appearance requirements

Not published

Identity Verification and Refusal

Personal knowledge, satisfactory evidence, credible witness requirements, fraud prevention refusal triggers

Not published

Fee Limits and Record Keeping

Maximum fees ($2 acknowledgments/oaths/proofs, $25 electronic notarial acts), mandatory 10-year journals, optional seal use

Not published

Ethics, Conflicts, and Prohibited Acts

Unauthorized practice of law, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, liability and complaints

Preparing for the NY Notary Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/fail (numeric passing score not published)
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: 1 hour
  • Exam / certification fees: $15 exam + $60 application Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 358 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NY Notary: Suggested Study Strategy

1Review the NY Department of State 'Notary Public License Law' booklet (September 2026 edition) for official procedures and requirements
2Memorize current fee limits: $2 acknowledgments/oaths/proofs, up to $25 for electronic notarial acts, and $2 for papering out an electronic record
3Understand the difference between acknowledgments (voluntary signature) and jurats (oath required)
4Know acceptable ID: a valid government photo ID with signature, two current signed documents, personal knowledge, the oath of one witness known to both signer and notary, or two witnesses who show qualifying ID (19 NYCRR 182.5)
5Remember: 4-year commission term, $15 exam fee + $60 application fee, 1-hour exam reported as pass/fail
6Study refusal scenarios: no personal appearance, blank documents, suspected fraud, signer incapacity
7Know the current journal rule: all NY notaries must keep notarial-act records for 10 years

Frequently Asked Questions

Does New York require a notary exam?

Yes. New York requires a 1-hour multiple-choice proctored exam; results are reported only as passed or failed. Exams are held at DOS sites across the state (walk-in outside New York City; New York City exams are scheduled by email). NY attorneys and qualifying Unified Court System clerks are exempt.

What is the maximum fee a NY notary can charge?

A New York notary may charge $2 for administering an oath or affirmation or for taking an acknowledgment or proof of execution, unless another law authorizes a different fee. An electronic notary may charge up to $25 per electronic notarial act, and a certificate of authenticity for papering out an electronically notarized record is $2.

How long is a NY notary commission?

A New York notary commission is valid for 4 years. Notaries must renew before expiration to continue performing notarial acts.

What notarial acts can a NY notary perform?

NY notaries can perform acknowledgments, administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and depositions, take proofs of execution, protest certain negotiable instruments, and perform electronic notarial acts when properly registered. Electronic notaries may also issue a certificate of authenticity when papering out an electronically notarized record.

Does NY require a notary bond?

New York does not require a surety bond for notaries. However, errors and omissions insurance is recommended for personal liability protection.

Does New York require a notary journal?

Yes. Beginning January 25, 2023, all New York notaries, including traditional in-person notaries, must keep a journal of all notarial acts for 10 years. Electronic notaries must also maintain audio-video records for electronic notarial acts.