How to Become a Notary in New York State — Step-by-Step

How to become a notary in New York State is a question that draws thousands of applicants each year — and the process is more streamlined than many expect. New York's notary public program is administered by the Secretary of State's office, and the path from application to commission is straightforward if you know the steps and requirements upfront.

This guide covers the complete New York notary process: who qualifies, the exam you'll need to pass, how to submit your application, and what you can and can't do once you're commissioned. Even if you're searching this topic while preparing for a different state's notary exam, the comparison is worth knowing — New York has its own distinct requirements that differ from many other states.

Who Can Become a New York Notary Public?

To become a notary public in New York, you must meet several basic eligibility requirements:

You must be at least 18 years old. There's no upper age limit.

You must be a citizen of the United States, or a resident alien who is a legal resident. Citizenship isn't required, but legal U.S. residency is.

You must be a resident of New York State — or, if you're not a resident, you must be regularly employed in New York State (in a New York county). Non-residents employed in New York can qualify if they live in a state that allows New York residents to hold that state's notary commission — New York has reciprocal arrangements with several neighboring states, particularly for border communities.

You must pass the New York notary public examination with a score of 70% or higher. This is a state-administered written test, not just a course completion — you actually have to sit and pass an exam.

You must not have had a notary commission revoked in New York or any other state, and you cannot be convicted of certain crimes. Convictions don't automatically disqualify you, but the Secretary of State reviews applications involving criminal history individually.

The New York Notary Public Exam

The notary public examination is the step that distinguishes New York from many other states. Not every state requires a test — some only require completing an application and paying a fee. New York requires that you pass a written exam before your application is processed.

The exam is 40 questions long and covers New York notary law, your duties and authorized acts as a notary, and key procedural requirements. The passing score is 70% — you need to answer at least 28 questions correctly. The exam is available in multiple languages.

The New York Secretary of State's office publishes an official notary public study guide that covers all the content tested on the exam. It's available as a free PDF on the DOS website. This study guide is your primary preparation resource — the exam questions are drawn from the material it covers, so reading it thoroughly before exam day is the most direct path to passing.

Key topics on the New York notary exam include: the legal authority and limitations of a notary public, the types of notarial acts authorized in New York (acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, affirmations, affidavits), identification requirements for signers, prohibited acts, notarial misconduct and its consequences, fees you're allowed to charge, your duties when an elector signs an absentee ballot, and the distinction between a notary public and a commissioner of deeds.

The exam is administered at test sites throughout New York State. Check the DOS website for current test site locations and available dates — sites and schedules change, and some periods are busier than others. Registration for the exam is typically done through the DOS website or by mail.

The Application Process

Here's the sequence of steps for becoming a New York notary public:

Step 1: Study and pass the exam. The exam comes first. You can't submit your commission application until you have your exam results. Study the official DOS notary public study guide, take practice tests to identify your knowledge gaps, and register for the exam at a DOS test site near you.

Step 2: Complete the notary public application. Once you pass the exam, you'll receive your exam results, which you'll include with your application. The DOS provides the application form (Form DOS-7B) on their website. Fill it out completely — incomplete applications cause delays.

Step 3: Pay the application fee. The application fee is $60 for a 4-year commission. Include a check or money order payable to the Department of State with your application.

Step 4: Have your application notarized. Your application form requires your signature to be notarized — yes, you need a current notary to notarize the application to become a notary. Any currently commissioned notary public can do this. Ask a colleague, a bank notary, or visit a UPS Store or similar service.

Step 5: Submit your application to the DOS. Mail the completed application, notarized signature, exam results, and fee payment to the Department of State. Processing times vary — allow 4–8 weeks during busy periods.

Step 6: Receive your commission and ID card. Once approved, you'll receive a notary public commission certificate and an identification card. Your commission is valid for 4 years. File or display your certificate — you'll need to present it to clients if requested.

What You Can Do as a New York Notary Public

New York notaries are authorized to perform specific notarial acts within the state. Knowing what you're authorized to do — and what you're not — is essential, because performing unauthorized acts carries real consequences.

Acknowledgments are the most common notarial act. When a person signs a document and acknowledges to you that they signed it willingly, you complete an acknowledgment certificate. Real estate documents, powers of attorney, and many legal contracts use acknowledgments.

Jurats (also called "sworn statements" or "affidavits") are used when the signer is swearing under oath that the contents of a document are true. You administer the oath or affirmation, the signer affirms the truth of the statement, and then signs the document in your presence. Affidavits and sworn statements use jurats.

Oaths and affirmations can be administered without a document — for example, swearing in a witness or official. You can do this in person anywhere in New York State.

Copy certifications — certifying that a copy of a document is a true and accurate copy of the original — are more limited than in many other states. In New York, notaries cannot certify copies of vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records) — those must come from the issuing government agency. For many other documents, copy certifications are permitted.

What you cannot do: you cannot certify that a document is legal, give legal advice about whether someone should sign something, or perform notarial acts for documents you have a financial interest in. You also cannot notarize your own signature. These prohibitions protect both you and the people relying on your notarial acts.

Renewing Your New York Notary Commission

Your New York notary commission is valid for four years. Renewal requires passing the notary exam again — there's no automatic renewal, and there's no "continuing education only" path. Every renewal cycle requires sitting the exam, even if you've held the commission for decades.

Start the renewal process about 6 months before your commission expires. Getting an exam appointment, waiting for results, and completing the application process can take a couple of months during busy periods. You don't want to have a gap in your commission, especially if you use your notary status professionally.

Your current commission's expiration date is printed on your commission certificate. The DOS may send reminder notices, but don't rely on them — track your own expiration date and initiate renewal proactively.

Fees You Can Charge as a New York Notary

New York law specifies the maximum fees notaries can charge for their services. The current maximum is $2 per notarial act. You can charge less or provide the service for free, but you cannot charge more than the statutory maximum per signature notarized.

These fees are paid by the person requesting notarization, not by a government agency. In many employment settings, employers require their notary employees to provide notarial services to customers or the public as part of their job duties — in those cases, the employer may not charge the customer the statutory fee and may simply absorb it as part of doing business. Your personal fee rights as a commissioned notary are separate from your employer's fee policies.

Some professions that commonly employ notary publics — banks, law offices, real estate agencies — often pay for employees' notary commissions and provide notary services to clients without additional charge. If your employer is supporting your notary application for professional purposes, clarify how fee arrangements work in your specific workplace.

Ready to Become a New York Notary Public?

The New York notary process is one of the more structured state programs in the country — the exam requirement sets it apart from states that treat notary commissioning as purely administrative. But that exam isn't a high bar: study the official DOS study guide, take some practice tests, and most candidates pass without difficulty.

The notary public credential opens real professional value, whether you're adding it to a legal, real estate, banking, or administrative career. It's a low-cost, low-effort credential relative to the value it provides — and once you understand the authorized acts and obligations clearly, performing them confidently becomes second nature.

Download the DOS study guide, register for your exam, and get started. The four-year commission is yours as soon as you pass the test and complete the application.