NY Notary Cheat Sheet.
The night-before summary, built like the exam.

New York Notary Public Exam — Cheat Sheet

Exam & Commission — Key Numbers

• Exam required: Yes — you must take and pass the notary public examination.
• Exam fee: $15
• Initial application fee: $60
• Term of commission: 4 years

What a Notary Is

A notary public is a public officer commissioned by the state to serve as an impartial witness to signings and to deter fraud. Remember: your job is to witness and verify, not to validate the document's contents.

Acknowledgment vs. Jurat — Know the Difference (High-Yield)

• Acknowledgment: Signer declares the signature is genuine and made willingly. No oath. Signer need not sign in the notary's presence.
• Jurat: Signer must sign in the notary's presence AND take an oath/affirmation that the statements are true. Used for affidavits and sworn statements.

Memory hook: Jurat = "I swear it's true" (oath + sign in front of you). Acknowledgment = "That's my signature" (no oath, prior signing OK).

Identifying the Signer

Positively identify every signer by personal knowledge OR satisfactory evidence — e.g., a current government-issued ID.

Must-Refuse / Prohibited Acts

• Signer not present: Never notarize unless the signer is physically present at the time of notarization.
• Self-interest: Don't notarize if you are a party to the document or have a direct financial/beneficial interest.
• No legal practice: A non-attorney notary may not give legal advice, charge for legal advice, or prepare legal documents for others.
• Refuse when: the signer appears coerced, does not understand the transaction, or cannot be identified.

Journal — What to Record

• Date and time of the act
• Type of act and type of document
• Name and address of each signer
• Identification method used

Official Seal — Required Contents

• Notary's name
• The words "Notary Public"
• The commissioning state
• The commission expiration date

Control rule: Keep your seal and journal under exclusive control — never let anyone else use them.