New York notary commission
How to become a notary public in New York
Pass the Department of State's one-hour multiple-choice exam ($15), have your Oath of Office (DOS-2201) signed before a notary, then apply on NY Business Express for $60. The Secretary of State files your commission with your county clerk, and it runs four years.
Who can apply in New York
- You are at least 18.
- You live in New York, or you have an office or place of business in the state.
- You are of good moral character, have the equivalent of a common school education, and are familiar with a notary's duties (Executive Law §130).
- You answer the application's questions about criminal convictions and about any license denied, suspended or revoked. A conviction is not an automatic bar; the Secretary of State decides under Correction Law Article 23-A.
- You pass the state exam. New York-admitted attorneys and certain Unified Court System court clerks are exempt.
Source: Become a Notary Public; Notary Public License Law.
The New York sequence, from study to filing
- Study the booklet. The exam page names one study source: the Department of State's "Notary Public License Law" booklet.
- Sit the exam. Multiple choice, one hour. Bring a current government photo ID with your signature, two #2 pencils (none are supplied) and the $15 fee by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard; no cash. Most sites need no pre-registration; New York City sites do. Results come by mail as pass or fail and stay valid for two years.
- Complete the oath. Fill in the Oath of Office (DOS-2201), sign it by hand in ink in front of a notary, and scan it as a single-page PDF.
- Apply on NY Business Express. Sign in with a NY.gov account, choose a traditional or electronic commission, upload the scanned oath, and pay $60 by card.
- Wait for the filing. The Secretary of State files your commission, oath and signature with the county clerk where you live, or where your New York office is if you live out of state.
- Set up before your first act. Set up your signature block (a stamp is the usual way) and a record book. New York does not require a seal.
Source: Notary written exam information; Become a Notary Public.
What New York charges
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Written exam | $15 Per attempt. Check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. |
| Commission application | $60 Nonrefundable. Paid by card on NY Business Express. |
| Renewal | $60 Every four years. |
| Electronic notary registration | $60 Optional. Only if you will notarize electronically. |
| Seal or embosser | Not required New York does not require a seal. A stamp for the signature block is the usual way to print it. |
So the state's share for a first-time traditional commission is $75: the exam plus the application. The stamp, record book and any insurance come from vendors at their own prices.
Source: Become a Notary Public (fees); Notary Public License Law.
NY starter kit · $29
New York Notary Starter Kit
The exam, the $60 application and the 4-year term in order, the $2 fee caps, ID and 10-year record rules, electronic notary registration, a startup checklist, a budget sheet and printable journal pages. Word files and PDFs.
Studying for the exam?
New York notary exam practice
Try 20 free practice questions with answers and sources. Study the booklet the exam is based on in a few evenings, then test yourself on 100 questions with the reason for every answer.
Four-year term and renewal
A New York appointment lasts four years (Executive Law §130). Renewal costs the same $60 as the first application.
Under every signature you print or stamp, in black ink, your name, "Notary Public State of New York", the county where you first qualified, and your commission expiration date (Executive Law §137). Keep a record of every act for at least ten years.
Source: Notary Public License Law.
Electronic notarization in New York
The state allows electronic notarization under Executive Law §135-c and 19 NYCRR Part 182, but only after you register your electronic capability with the Secretary of State and pay a nonrefundable $60 registration fee.
You must be physically in the state during the act. A remote signer's identity is checked with credential analysis and third-party identity proofing, and the whole session is recorded and kept for at least ten years. The law sets a $25 fee for each electronic notarial act, covering all of the notary's costs.
Source: Notary Public License Law (Executive Law §135-c; 19 NYCRR 182).
What a New York notary may charge
The fee caps are small: $2 to administer an oath, $2 per person for an acknowledgment or proof of execution, and $2 to swear a witness (Executive Law §136). Charging more than the law allows can bring prosecution, a civil suit, treble damages and removal (Public Officers Law §67).
Source: Notary Public License Law.
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New York notary questions
Does everyone take the New York notary exam?
Almost everyone. The state-admitted attorneys and certain Unified Court System court clerks are exempt. Everyone else needs a passing result, which stays valid for two years.
Do I need a notary seal in New York?
No. The state does not require one. You do need your name, "Notary Public State of the state", your county of qualification and your expiration date under your signature, which most notaries put on a stamp.
I live in New Jersey but work in Manhattan. Can I be a New York notary?
The eligibility rule covers people who live in the state or have an office or place of business there. If you live out of state, your commission is filed with the county clerk where your state office is. Confirm your situation with the Department of State.
How much does it cost the state to become a New York notary?
$15 for the exam and $60 for the application, so $75. Supplies such as a stamp and record book are extra and set by vendors.
Can a New York notary notarize online?
Yes, after registering electronic capability with the Secretary of State ($60). You must be in the state during the act, and the session is recorded and kept at least ten years.
Guides for other states · Becoming a notary in New Jersey
General information from official the state sources, checked November 2026. It is not legal advice, and we are not lawyers. Requirements and fees change, so confirm them with the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services before you apply. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with the State of the state.