NYS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NYS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following actions is a Notary Public prohibited from performing? → Certifying a photocopy of a document as a true copy
2. What is the fee a Notary Public in New York State can charge for administering an oath or affirmation? → $2.00
3. Under New York Executive Law, what is required for a notary to charge for administering an oath? → Fees are set by statute and the notary may charge up to the statutory limit per oath
4. A New York notary performing RON must use an approved RON platform that: → Meets standards set by the Department of State
5. What must a notary public always include in the notarial certificate? → The venue (state and county)
6. A New York notary's authority to take depositions means: → The notary may take testimony under oath and certify the transcript
7. May a New York notary public provide legal advice to document signers? → No, providing legal advice constitutes unauthorized practice of law
8. A notary public in New York administering an oath must: → Ensure the person understands they are swearing under penalty of perjury
9. What is the penalty for violating the provisions of §§478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, or 484? → Misdemeanor charge
10. A notary public convicted of a felony in New York may: → Have the commission removed by the Secretary of State
11. New York law requires a notary to provide what record to a party who requests it? → A certified copy of any record the notary has made of a notarial act
12. A 'venue' on a notarial certificate refers to: → The state and county where the notarization took place
13. New York public law requires that a notary public's oath of office be filed with: → The county clerk of the county where the notary resides or has a principal office
14. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding a New York Notary's obligation to maintain records of notarial acts? → All notaries must maintain a journal of all notarial acts for a minimum of ten years.
15. A New York notary public who moves out of state but maintains a New York office or place of business: → May retain the notary commission
16. When a New York notary charges a fee for taking a deposition, the fee is based on: → An hourly rate up to the statutory maximum
17. An attorney who is also a New York notary wishes to notarize a contract they personally drafted for a client. This is: → Generally permissible if the attorney has no personal financial stake in the contract
18. If a New York notary commission expires and the notary continues to notarize documents, those acts are: → Invalid — notarizations by an expired commission have no legal effect
19. A person who impersonates a New York notary public is subject to: → Criminal prosecution for fraudulent impersonation
20. When a New York notary retires or the commission expires without renewal, records of past notarizations should be: → Retained for a reasonable period and made available if needed for legal proceedings
21. Which of the following best describes a 'deposition' in the context of New York notarial practice? → A sworn out-of-court statement taken before an authorized officer such as a notary
22. A signer presents an out-of-state driver's license to a New York notary. What should the notary do? → Accept it if it appears current, genuine, and bears a photo
23. Which statement is accurate about the New York notary public application process? → Applications are submitted to the Department of State after passing the examination
24. The phrase 'ultra vires' in the context of notary duties means acting: → Beyond the scope of legal authority
25. When a New York notary public changes their name, they must: → Notify the Department of State and file an application for a new certificate
26. Under New York law, who may administer an oath or affirmation? → Any New York State notary public
27. In New York, after passing the notary exam, the applicant submits the application to: → The New York Department of State
28. The term 'notarize' most precisely means: → To certify or authenticate a document or signature through an official notarial act
29. If a signer does not have a photo ID, what alternative may a New York notary use to verify identity? → Personal knowledge of the signer or credible identifying witnesses
30. A notarial certificate reads 'State of New York, County of Kings.' What does this venue statement indicate? → The notarial act physically took place in Kings County