New York State Notary Public Exam Study Guide

$15.

$60.

Four years.

A public officer commissioned by the state to serve as an impartial witness to signings and to deter fraud.

The signer must sign in the notary's presence and take an oath or affirmation that the statements are true; used for affidavits.

The jurat requires both an oath/affirmation and signing in the notary's presence; the acknowledgment requires neither.

Through personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence such as a current government-issued ID.

No. A non-attorney notary may not give legal advice, accept fees for legal advice, or prepare legal documents for others.

When the signer appears coerced, does not understand the transaction, or cannot be properly identified.

Yes. Applicants must take and pass the notary public examination.

The signer declares the signature is genuine and made willingly; the signer need not sign in the notary's presence and takes no oath.

No. A notary must not notarize a document to which they are a party or in which they have a direct financial or beneficial interest.

A New York notary's commission is valid only within New York State. Acts performed outside the state may not be recognized, though some jurisdictions may accept them based on reciprocity agreements.

No, a notary cannot notarize their own signature or documents. This prevents conflicts of interest and maintains the integrity of the notarial act.

The notary must refuse to perform the notarization. It is the notary's duty to ensure the signer understands the nature and consequences of the document being signed.

Yes, a notary may charge reasonable fees for notarizations. New York law allows notaries to collect fees, though some acts (like taking affidavits from the poor on behalf of the state) must be performed without charge.

The notary must verify the signer's identity through government-issued photo ID and confirm that the signer personally signed the document and understands its contents.

An acknowledgment certifies that the signer executed a document in the notary's presence. A certification typically verifies that a copy is a true copy of an original document.

While not always prohibited, it is strongly discouraged due to potential conflict of interest. New York does not explicitly ban this, but it can undermine the credibility of the notarization.

The notary should still record the details in the journal with a note that the signer refused to sign. Signature in the journal is preferred but refusal does not invalidate the notarization.

A notary may refuse if there is reasonable suspicion of fraud, forgery, or impropriety. However, refusing solely based on personal beliefs about the document's purpose is generally not permitted.

The notary is personally liable for damages caused by the fraudulent notarization. The notary's surety bond can be tapped to cover losses, and the notary may face criminal prosecution for complicity.

Corrections should be made before notarization. If the signer makes alterations, the notary should note the changes in the journal and the signer should initial the changes before the notary acknowledges the document.

The surety bond protects the public by providing financial recourse if the notary commits misconduct or fraud. It ensures compensation for damages caused by the notary's improper acts.

New York allows remote online notarizations (RON) under specific conditions. Electronic seals and signatures are permissible when the notary is commissioned to perform electronic notarizations and complies with all applicable requirements.

For ordinary acknowledgments and jurats, personal appearance is required. It may be physical or, for an authorized electronic act, through compliant communication technology. A mailed signature or ordinary telephone call alone is insufficient.

Record the date, approximate time and type of act; names and addresses of persons served; number and type of services; identification credential type and applicable witness details; and appearance-verification procedures. Electronic acts also require technology and provider details. Retain records for at least ten years.

New York does not require a notary seal. Required identifying information beside the signature must be printed, typed or stamped in black ink under Executive Law §137; an optional seal does not replace it. Executive Law §137 requires the commissioned name, Notary Public State of New York, county of qualification and commission expiration beside the signature, with additional certificate-of-character information where applicable. Official number must be affixed to instruments requiring an oath or affirmation under 19 NYCRR 182.3(a)(4).

New York does not require a notary seal. Required identifying information beside the signature must be printed, typed or stamped in black ink under Executive Law §137; an optional seal does not replace it. Executive Law §137 requires the commissioned name, Notary Public State of New York, county of qualification and commission expiration beside the signature, with additional certificate-of-character information where applicable. Official number must be affixed to instruments requiring an oath or affirmation under 19 NYCRR 182.3(a)(4).

Notarial records must be retained for at least ten years. Electronic acts using audio-video communication also require the prescribed recording to be retained for at least ten years.

Do not perform notarial acts after commission expiration until properly reappointed. Executive Law §142-a protects certain acts from automatic invalidity due to specified appointment defects; it does not authorize continued practice.

For physical appearance, 19 NYCRR 182.5(b) allows qualifying valid current government photo identification, at least two qualifying current signed documents, personal knowledge, one sworn witness known to both signer and notary, or two sworn witnesses who know the signer and provide qualifying government identification.

For physical appearance, 19 NYCRR 182.5(b) allows qualifying valid current government photo identification, at least two qualifying current signed documents, personal knowledge, one sworn witness known to both signer and notary, or two sworn witnesses who know the signer and provide qualifying government identification.

The notary must be able to establish identity, capacity and voluntary execution under New York requirements. Do not assume a friend interpreting automatically resolves those duties.