The state of New York holds Notary Publics to a high standard beginning with required training and examination. While the applicant does not have to be a resident of New York, the applicant must either hold a job in New York or own a business located within that state. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or able to show resident alien status with a Green Card.

First time candidates are required to pass a state proctored exam. Notaries do not have to take the exam for renewals unless more than 180 days pass beyond the renewal date. The proctored exam is only given at sites approved by the New York Department of State. An appointment is not necessary as walk-ins are accepted until after the exam is underway. Once it begins, no one else is admitted for that testing. Any school that claims to administer the state exam is misleading its students.

The exam questions are taken from the New York Notary Public License Law booklet which is available from the New York Department of State. Knowledge of all aspects of the notary license law, legal terms and duties of the notary public are tested on this exam. Candidates have one hour to complete this multiple choice exam. To maintain exam security at the testing site, candidates sign and are fingerprinted. The score given is pass or fail, although 70 is the minimum score to pass. An attorney who is a member in good standing of the New York State Bar or a court clerk in the state can apply for a notary public license without taking the exam.

Exam prep courses can help prepare for the exam by explaining the information and providing practice exams with questions similar to those on the actual exam. The courses are available online, in live seminars or in a one day class at the local college.

After passing the exam, the candidate submits the “pass slip” from the exam along with the application and fee to be commissioned as a Notary Public by the Secretary of State. The application includes an official oath of office which must be sworn and notarized by a licensed notary public. With confirmation of the commission, a notary receives an identification card from the state validating the four year term of that commission.

A New York Notary Public has the authority to administer oaths and affirmations, certify written documents such as deeds or powers of attorney and take affidavits or depositions. The legally acceptable fee for each notary act is two dollars. Much of the work for notaries is with property transactions, mortgages or legal documents. For that reason banks, real estate agencies, mortgage brokers and law offices may arrange to work with an independent notary or pay for one of their employees to be commissioned as a notary public.

Becoming a Notary Public in New York State requires demonstrated ability and integrity that is consistent with such a position of trust.