How to Become a Notary in New York (2026 Guide)
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Key Takeaways
- New York requires notaries to be 18+, of good moral character, and a resident of the state or someone who maintains an office or place of business there
- You must pass the state’s written exam (preparation providers commonly describe it as 40 questions with a 70% pass mark; the DOS does not publish the pass score): 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 (legislation pending to raise it)
To become a New York notary you pass a 40-question written exam given by the Department of State ($15), submit a $60 application with your exam pass slip, and file your oath with your county clerk. There is no training course and no bond, attorneys and court clerks skip the exam, and the commission runs four years. Plan on four to six weeks from application to ID card.
Requirements
To become a notary public in New York, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- 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 written, closed-book test covering the duties and responsibilities of a New York notary public; preparation providers commonly describe it as 40 questions with 70% needed to pass, though the Department of State does not publish the pass score. It is administered by the Department of State’s Division of Licensing Services at scheduled sites around the state, in paper format only, for a $15 fee. 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 (current edition: September 2026). It is free, and it contains everything on the exam: the Executive Law sections on appointment, fees, notarial acts, and professional conduct. Read it twice; the questions reward knowing the exact rules.
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 file your oath of office and signature card with the county clerk, and your official notary identification card follows. The county clerk’s role ends there: the exam and licensing sit entirely with the Department of State.
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.
How Much You Can Charge
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. [Senate Bill S6268 proposes raising 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.
Electronic and Remote Online Notarization
Executive Law section 135-c, now printed in the License Law booklet itself, authorizes electronic notarization including remote notarial acts by communication technology, with Department of State registration and audio-visual recordings retained 10 years. The statute is live in the law; the DOS how-to pages do not yet describe the registration process, so check with the Division of Licensing Services before advertising remote services. The remote notarization fee is set separately from the $2 in-person maximum (see the fee section below).
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.
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. You can never notarize your own signature, you should avoid documents in which your spouse has a direct financial interest, and notarizing for parents, siblings, or adult children is fine when you have no stake in the transaction. When in doubt, refer family members to another notary.
Penalties for Misconduct
Notarizing without authority is a misdemeanor, and fraud or forgery tied to a notarial act brings felony charges. Public officers who skip required duties can face official misconduct charges. On top of criminal exposure, the Department of State can revoke a commission for cause, and you remain personally liable for damages an improper notarization causes. Employers who pressure a notary into cutting corners can share that liability.
Your Commission Belongs to You
A New York commission is personal. If you leave a job, your stamp, journal, and commission go with you and the employer must return your notary supplies; no employer can restrict your services to company business or require you to skip proper procedure.
How New York Compares to Neighboring States
| Requirement | New York | Pennsylvania | New Jersey | Connecticut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bond | None | $10,000 | None | None |
| Exam | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Training | No | Yes (3 hrs) | Yes | 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) of its neighbors and requires no bond, but the exam is real: a 40-question DOS test every non-attorney applicant must pass. Pennsylvania’s $10,000 RULONA bond is the outlier cost among the four, and New Jersey requires approved education plus an exam. Full guides: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is training required to become a New York notary?
No course is required, but exam preparation is strongly recommended. Everything on the exam comes from the Department of State’s Notary Public License Law booklet, and most people have never read notary law before.
Can I take the notary exam online?
No. The exam is paper-based and given at scheduled sites administered by the Department of State’s Division of Licensing Services. The current schedule and locations are on the DOS website.
Does New York require a surety bond?
No. New York requires neither a surety bond nor errors and omissions insurance. E&O is still recommended: it is the only coverage that pays your defense if a notarial mistake leads to a claim.
How hard is the New York notary exam?
Most prepared applicants pass on the first attempt. You need 28 of 40 correct (70%), and every question draws on the Notary Public License Law booklet the Department of State publishes.
Can New York notaries perform online notarizations?
Yes. A commissioned notary can register for electronic notarization through the Department of State and use an approved platform. New York also requires electronic notaries to keep audio and video recordings of each session.
Who administers the notary exam in New York?
The New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services. Your county clerk has no exam role; the clerk’s office only records your oath and commission once DOS approves you.
Updated October 2026. Requirements based on the New York Department of State and the Notary Public License Law.
