You cannot take the notary exam online in NY. The New York Department of State administers the notary public exam only as an in-person, walk-in written test at designated sites around the state, and there is no remote or online version of the exam itself.1New York Department of State. Become a Notary Public The only way to skip the in-person exam is to qualify for a statutory exemption.
Who Can Skip the Exam
Two groups are exempt from the written test. Members of the New York State Bar don’t need to sit for it, and neither do court clerks in the Unified Court System who were appointed after passing a Civil Service promotional exam in the court clerk title series. Everyone in these categories still submits the standard application and pays the $60 commission fee, but the testing requirement is waived.2New York Department of State. Notary Public – Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t fall into one of those categories, the in-person exam is unavoidable.
What the In-Person Exam Looks Like
The test is 40 multiple-choice questions in one hour. You need 28 correct (70%) to pass. Questions come from the Notary Public License Law and cover the legal duties of a notary, identifying signers, administering oaths and affirmations, taking acknowledgments, and the penalties for misconduct. The Department of State publishes a free study booklet, the “Notary Public License Law,” on its website, and reading it end to end is the best preparation.3New York Department of State. Notary Public License Law
The exam is offered in English, Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Italian, Korean, Russian, and Chinese.1New York Department of State. Become a Notary Public
You also need to meet the underlying eligibility rules: at least 18 years old, a New York resident (or a nonresident who maintains a business office in the state), the equivalent of a common-school education, and “good moral character.” Certain criminal convictions can disqualify you, though the Secretary of State reviews those individually under the Correction Law.4New York State Senate. New York Code EXC 130 – Appointment of Notaries Public
Where the Exam Is Held and How to Show Up
Testing runs walk-in at state office buildings and other designated sites. For the March through June 2026 testing period, sessions are scheduled in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, New York City (123 William Street), Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, and additional cities across the state, most with multiple daily sessions at 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and noon. Nassau and Suffolk County sites tend to run on their own midday schedules.5New York Department of State. March – June 2026 Notary Public Walk-In Examination Schedule The Department of State posts updated schedules before each testing period.1New York Department of State. Become a Notary Public
No pre-registration. Bring a current government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, state ID, or military ID) and the $15 exam fee. Payment can be a check or money order to the Department of State, or a MasterCard or Visa. No cash. The fee is nonrefundable, and if you don’t pass you’ll be notified by mail and can retake the exam on any future date for another $15.1New York Department of State. Become a Notary Public
After You Pass
You get a pass slip on site, and it stays valid for two years.2New York Department of State. Notary Public – Frequently Asked Questions The application to become commissioned includes an oath of office that has to be signed before someone authorized to administer oaths, such as a currently commissioned notary or a county clerk. You submit the completed application, the notarized oath, and a $60 nonrefundable fee to the Department of State’s Division of Licensing Services.6New York State Senate. New York Code EXC 131 – Procedure This part is handled online through a NY Business Express account at businessexpress.ny.gov, where you upload the oath of office and pass slip.
Once the Secretary of State approves the application, your commission and original oath are sent to the county clerk in your county of residence, who keeps your commission and signature on file. Your commission runs four years from the date of issuance.4New York State Senate. New York Code EXC 130 – Appointment of Notaries Public
A Note on “Online Notary” Searches
Don’t confuse the exam with the notarial act. New York does allow commissioned notaries to perform remote online notarizations under Executive Law Section 135-c, using audio-visual technology and a separate registration with the Department of State.2New York Department of State. Notary Public – Frequently Asked Questions But that authorizes a notary to notarize documents remotely after being commissioned. It does not let you take the qualifying exam from home. To get to that point, the in-person written test comes first.