To become a notary in NY online, you apply through the NY Business Express portal after passing an in-person written exam and getting an Oath of Office form notarized. The application fee is $60, and the Department of State typically takes several weeks to approve new commissions. The process is mostly online, but two pieces, the exam and the oath, have to happen in person.
Who Can Apply
New York Executive Law requires that you either reside in New York State or maintain a place of business within the state. The Secretary of State must also be satisfied that you have good moral character, the equivalent of a common school education, and familiarity with a notary’s duties.1New York State Senate. New York Executive Law 130 – Appointment of Notaries Public
The statute does not explicitly require U.S. citizenship. The Department of State may investigate your background, and certain criminal convictions can disqualify you, though the Secretary of State has discretion to decide that a conviction does not bar appointment.
Pass the Written Exam First
You cannot submit an application until you have passed the notary public exam, and the exam is only offered in person at designated walk-in test sites. There is no online option. The Department of State publishes quarterly walk-in schedules on its website.2New York Department of State. Become a Notary Public
The exam is one hour, multiple choice, and covers notary duties, powers, limitations, and legal terminology. You need 70% to pass. The fee is $15, paid at the test site. Bring a government-issued photo ID and two No. 2 pencils.
The best study resource is the Department of State’s own Notary Public License Law booklet, a free PDF on the DOS website. It covers every topic the exam tests, including the statutory fee chart, which is worth memorizing because those questions have exact answers.
When you pass, you get a pass slip. Keep it. You will upload it as part of your online application.
Two groups skip the exam entirely: attorneys admitted to practice in New York, and certain court clerks of the Unified Court System.1New York State Senate. New York Executive Law 130 – Appointment of Notaries Public
Get Your Oath of Office Notarized
This is the step that keeps the process from being fully digital. Download the Oath of Office form from the Department of State’s website, sign it in front of someone authorized to administer oaths (another notary works), and have that person notarize it. Then scan the signed form as a PDF so you can upload it later.2New York Department of State. Become a Notary Public
You cannot electronically sign the oath. It has to be printed, signed in person before a notary, and scanned. Plan a stop at a bank, law office, or shipping store that has a notary on staff before you start the online application.
Submit the Application Through NY Business Express
With your exam pass slip and notarized oath in hand as PDFs, you can file through NY Business Express, the state’s online licensing portal.
- Create or log into your NY.gov account on the NY Business Express portal.
- Start a new application and select the option for a traditional notary public commission.
- Upload your notarized Oath of Office form and your exam pass slip when prompted.
- Pay the $60 application fee by credit card (Visa or Mastercard), check, or money order. The fee is nonrefundable.
From here, everything is in the Department of State’s hands. Processing typically takes several weeks.
What Happens After You Apply
Once the Department of State approves the application, it issues a commission certificate. The Department then forwards your certificate, original oath, and official signature to the county clerk in the county where you live or do business. The clerk keeps these records so the public can verify your commission and compare your signature to documents you notarize.3Department of State. Notary Public – Frequently Asked Questions
You cannot perform any notarial acts until your commission is filed with the county clerk and you have your commission certificate in hand. The commission is valid for four years from the date of appointment.1New York State Senate. New York Executive Law 130 – Appointment of Notaries Public Renewal, when the time comes, is done through the same NY Business Express portal for another $60.2New York Department of State. Become a Notary Public
A New York notary commission authorizes you to administer oaths, take affidavits, and certify acknowledgments on documents like deeds, mortgages, and powers of attorney, throughout the entire state.4New York State Senate. New York Executive Law 135 – Powers and Duties; in General; of Notaries Public Who Are Attorneys at Law Your authority is not limited to the county where your commission is filed.
Remote Online Notarization Is a Separate Registration
Being commissioned as a traditional notary does not authorize you to perform remote online notarization, where you and the signer meet by live audio-video rather than in person. That requires a separate electronic notary registration on top of your traditional commission.5New York State Senate. New York Executive Law 135-C – Electronic Notarization
You must already hold an active traditional commission before you can register as an electronic notary. The electronic registration is also handled through NY Business Express, under a separate option, and carries its own fee set by regulation.2New York Department of State. Become a Notary Public Electronic notaries must keep audio-video recordings of every remote act for at least ten years, so budget for storage before you sign up.5New York State Senate. New York Executive Law 135-C – Electronic Notarization
For a first commission, finish the traditional application first. The electronic add-on can wait until you are commissioned and know you want to offer remote services.