How to Become a Notary Public in New York State

Published February 12, 2023 · Updated May 26, 2026

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Key Takeaways

New York requires notaries to be 18+, a US citizen or legal permanent resident, and a resident or worker in NY state
You must pass a 40-question written exam (70% to pass): attorneys and court clerks are exempt
No training course required, but recommended
No surety bond required
Application fee: $60 | Exam fee: $15
Commission term is 4 years
Maximum notarization fee: $2 per act [VERIFY: pending legislation may increase this]

New York has more requirements than many states. You need to pass a written exam, but there’s no training course requirement and no bond. Here’s how the process works.

Requirements

To become a notary public in New York, you must:

Be at least 18 years old
Be a US citizen or legal permanent resident
Be of good moral character
Live or work in New York state
Have a common school education level
Have no felony or disqualifying misdemeanor convictions
Pass the state notary public exam

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Pass the Notary Exam

The exam is a 40-question written test covering the duties and responsibilities of a New York notary public. You need a 70% (28 correct answers) to pass. The exam costs $15 and is administered at approved testing centers across the state in paper format only: there’s no online option. Attorneys admitted to the NY State Bar and court clerks who took a civil service promotional exam are exempt.

The best preparation is reading the New York Notary Public License Law booklet from the Department of State. It contains everything on the exam.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

After passing the exam, submit your completed application, exam pass slip, and $60 filing fee to the New York Department of State. The application includes an oath of office that must be notarized before you submit it.

Step 3: File with Your County Clerk

Once the Department of State approves your application, they forward your commission to the county clerk where you live or work. You’ll need to file your oath of office and signature card with the county clerk. After that, you’ll receive your official notary identification card.

The entire process typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from application to receiving your ID card.

Costs to Get Commissioned

Item	Cost
Notary exam	$15
Application fee	$60
Notary stamp (optional but recommended)	$15–$25
Notary journal (required since 2023)	$10–$50
Total	$100–$150

Journal Requirements

Effective January 25, 2023, all New York notaries must maintain a journal of notarial acts and retain it for 10 years. Each entry must include details of the notarial act performed and the type of identification presented. Electronic notaries must also keep audio and video recordings of every electronic notarization.

Stamp Requirements

New York does not require a notary seal or stamp by law. However, if you use one, it must clearly show your name and “Notary Public for the State of New York.” Most notaries use a stamp for efficiency and professionalism, and it’s practically required if you plan to work as a signing agent.

Renewal

New York notary commissions last 4 years. To renew, submit a renewal application and $60 fee to the Department of State. You do not need to retake the exam for renewals.

Fee Schedule

New York sets the maximum notarization fee at $2.00 per act for administering oaths, affirmations, acknowledgments, and proofs of execution. Remote online notarizations can be charged at $25. [VERIFY: Senate Bill S6268 proposes increasing the fee: check current law before quoting.]

At $2 per notarization, most New York notaries make their real income through mobile notary fees (separate from the notarization fee) or as signing agents handling loan documents.

Becoming a Signing Agent in New York

New York is an attorney state for real estate closings, meaning an attorney must be involved in the closing process. That limits some signing agent opportunities compared to escrow states. However, many New York notaries build successful signing agent businesses by handling loan closings that originate in other states, or by partnering with attorneys who need notaries for document execution.

See our guide to becoming a signing agent for training recommendations and how to get started.

Notarizing for Family Members

New York does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members, but the general conflict-of-interest rule applies: you cannot notarize any document in which you have a direct financial or beneficial interest. This means:

You cannot notarize your own signature under any circumstances
You should avoid notarizing documents in which your spouse has a direct financial interest
Notarizing for parents, siblings, or adult children is permissible if you have no financial stake in the transaction
When in doubt, refer family members to another notary

Penalties for Notary Misconduct in New York

New York penalizes notary misconduct through both criminal and civil channels:

Notarizing without authority: misdemeanor offense
Fraud or forgery: felony charges with potential prison time
Official misconduct: Class A misdemeanor for public officers who fail to perform duties
Commission revocation, the Secretary of State can revoke your commission for cause
Civil liability. You can be held personally liable for damages caused by improper notarizations

Employer Obligations

New York notary-employer relationships follow these principles:

Your notary commission is personal and cannot be transferred or controlled by your employer
An employer may not require you to notarize documents without following proper procedures
If you leave your job, your stamp and commission belong to you. Your employer must return all notary supplies
Your employer cannot restrict your notary services to company-only business during work hours
An employer who pressures you into misconduct may share legal liability

How New York Compares to Neighboring States

Requirement	New York	Pennsylvania	New Jersey	Connecticut
Bond	None	$25,000	None	None
Exam	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Training	No	Yes (3 hrs)	Manual	No
Term	4 years	4 years	5 years	5 years
Max Fee	$2	$5	$2.50	$5
RON	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

New York has the lowest maximum fee ($2) among its neighbors but also has the lowest barriers to entry: no bond, no exam, no training. Pennsylvania’s $25,000 bond requirement (new under RULONA) is a significant cost difference. Connecticut and New Jersey both require exams that New York does not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is training required to become a New York notary?

No. New York doesn’t require a training course, but taking one is recommended, especially for exam preparation. The exam covers notary law that most people aren’t familiar with.

Can I take the notary exam online?

No. The exam is paper-based only and must be taken at an approved testing center in New York. You can find testing locations on the NY Department of State website.

Does New York require a surety bond?

No. New York notaries are not required to have a surety bond or errors and omissions insurance. E&O insurance is recommended though. It protects you if a notarial mistake leads to a claim.

How hard is the New York notary exam?

With proper preparation, most applicants pass on the first attempt. Read the Notary Public License Law booklet from the Department of State: everything on the exam comes from that document. You need 28 out of 40 correct to pass.

Can New York notaries perform online notarizations?

Yes. Commissioned notaries can register separately to perform electronic notarizations (RON). There’s an additional registration process through the Department of State.

How to Become a Notary in New York (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaways

Requirements