To become a notary public in New York, you must be at least 18, live or work in the state, pass a written exam on New York notary law (unless you’re an admitted New York attorney or a qualifying court clerk), and submit a $60 application with your signed oath of office through the NY Business Express portal. The commission lasts four years.
Who Qualifies
You need to be 18 or older and either a New York resident or someone who maintains a place of business in the state.1Justia. New York Code Executive – Appointment of Notaries Public Non-residents who qualify through a New York office lose their authority automatically if that office moves out of state, and they must accept the Secretary of State as their agent for service of process on notarial matters.
The Secretary of State also has to be satisfied that you have good moral character and the equivalent of a common school education. That education standard is a basic literacy and competency threshold, not a diploma requirement. Certain criminal convictions block appointment, including any felony and specific offenses such as illegal weapons possession, burglary-related crimes, and narcotics violations. An executive pardon or a certificate of relief from disabilities can clear that bar.
The Written Exam
The exam is a proctored, multiple-choice test based on the New York Notary Public License Law. You need a score of at least 70% to pass.2New York Department of State. Become a Notary Public
Testing is walk-in at sites across the state, and the Department of State publishes the schedule online, currently running through June 2026. The fee is $15, payable only by check or money order at the testing center. Cash and credit cards aren’t accepted. Fail it, and you can retake it at the next session.
Questions focus on what a notary is authorized to do and what a notary cannot do: the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat, the statutory fee caps, restrictions on notarizing for relatives, and the penalties for misconduct. The License Law booklet published by the Department of State is the direct source material; the exam is drawn from it.
Who Skips the Exam
Attorneys admitted to practice in New York don’t take the exam. Neither do court clerks in the Unified Court System who were appointed after passing a civil service promotional exam in the court clerk series of titles.1Justia. New York Code Executive – Appointment of Notaries Public
The waiver covers only the written test. You still pay the $60 fee, submit the same online application, and file the oath of office like every other applicant.2New York Department of State. Become a Notary Public Attorneys upload documentation of current bar admission; court clerks provide proof of their qualifying civil service appointment.
Attorney-notaries also get a substantive benefit once commissioned: they may administer an oath or take an affidavit or acknowledgment from their own client in connection with any matter, claim, action, or proceeding.3New York State Senate. New York Executive Law 135 – Powers and Duties Non-attorney notaries face tighter limits when they have a personal interest in a transaction.
Submitting Your Application
New York now processes notary applications online through the NY Business Express portal. Mail applications are no longer the pathway.2New York Department of State. Become a Notary Public
Before you start, download the Oath of Office form from the Department of State website. Complete it in front of a person authorized to administer oaths, then scan it as a PDF. You’ll upload that file during the online application.4New York State Senate. New York Executive Law 131 – Procedure
The application fee is $60 and covers a four-year commission. If you took the exam, you’ll attach your passing notification. Attorney applicants attach bar admission documentation instead. Fill in every field. Incomplete applications get sent back, and each round-trip adds weeks.
Once the Secretary of State approves your application and issues the commission, the state handles the county filing itself. Under Executive Law Section 131, the Secretary of State transmits your commission along with a certified copy of your oath and signature, plus $20 apportioned from your fee, to the county clerk of your county of residence.4New York State Senate. New York Executive Law 131 – Procedure You don’t need to visit the county clerk yourself for a new appointment. When your commission and identification card arrive, you can buy your notary seal and start work.
Electronic Notary Commission
If you want to notarize remotely by audio-video communication, you need a separate registration as an electronic notary under Executive Law Section 135-c, with an additional fee.5New York State Senate. New York Executive Law 135-C – Electronic Notarization A traditional notary commission by itself doesn’t authorize electronic acts.
The core rules for electronic notaries:
- You must be physically located within New York State when you perform the act, though the signer can be anywhere.
- The signer’s identity must be confirmed using at least two authentication methods, in addition to the identification standards that apply to paper notarizations.
- The audio-video link must be secure against interception and support real-time, live communication.
- You must retain a copy of the audio-video recording for at least ten years from the date of the transaction.
The ten-year retention rule is the requirement that catches people out. Line up a reliable long-term storage solution before your first session. When you apply through NY Business Express, you’ll see the option to apply for a traditional commission or an electronic commission.
Renewal
Your commission runs four years. You can begin renewal 90 days before it expires, through the same NY Business Express portal, and the renewal fee is $60.6New York Department of State. Renew or Update Notary Public License
Apply for reappointment before your term expires or within six months afterward, and the Secretary of State can waive the education and familiarity requirements, so you generally won’t need to retake the exam.1Justia. New York Code Executive – Appointment of Notaries Public Miss that six-month window and you’re back to the full application process, exam included. Former military members who missed the renewal window because of active service get an additional year after discharge to apply for reappointment with those requirements waived.