Notary Public
New York
Notary Public Commission Requirements
Governing Authority
New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
Official website →4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
Yes
Exam Required
70%
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
Application Process
VerifiedStudy the Notary Public License Law available from the NY Department of State
Take and pass the walk-in notary public exam ($15 exam fee, 70% passing score)
Complete the Notary Public Application and Oath of Office (preferably online via NY Business Express portal)
Pay the $60 application fee (online by credit card or e-check)
Wait for commission approval from the Department of State
Upon approval, have your oath of office administered and signature registered in your county
Optionally purchase a notary stamp/seal and journal (strongly recommended)
Begin performing notarial acts
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must reside in New York State OR have an office or place of business in New York State
Citizenship
U.S. citizenship not explicitly required; residency or business presence in New York is the stated requirement
Background Check
Not required
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Not RequiredNo specific training courses required. Applicants must understand the 'Notary Public License Law' available through the NY Department of State. Self-study is expected for the exam.
Exam
RequiredOne-hour, closed-book, proctored, walk-in, multiple-choice exam based on the Notary Public License Law. Offered in English only. Exam fee is $15 (payable by check or money order at site). NY State Bar members and court clerks who passed civil service exams are exempt from the examination.
Passing score: 70%
Administered by: New York Department of State
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Not RequiredNew York does NOT require a surety bond for notaries public.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredE&O insurance is not required but is available and recommended for liability protection.
Seal / Stamp
Not RequiredStamp is not mandatory but is industry best practice and strongly recommended. If used, should include: notary name, 'Notary Public for the State of New York,' optional county, optional commission expiration date, and optional certificate filing information.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $60 |
Bond Premium New York does not require a surety bond for notaries. | N/A - no bond required |
Stamp / Seal Stamp is not legally required. If purchased, costs approximately $30 from private vendors. | $0-$30 |
Total Estimated Cost Includes exam fee ($15), oath notarization ($2), application fee ($60), optional journal ($30-$55). Very affordable compared to most states. | $107-$132 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Submit renewal application preferably online via NY Business Express portal using a NY.gov ID. Must pay renewal fee. Exam is NOT required for renewal if renewing within 6 months of expiration.
Renewal Fee
$60
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Remote online notarization is legal in New York as of January 31, 2023, on a permanent basis. A licensed NY electronic notary public may remotely notarize a signature wherever the client may be, including anywhere in the world. However, the notary must be physically located within New York State at the time of notarization.
Additional Requirements
Must hold valid NY notary commission and obtain separate Electronic Notary authorization from Department of State. Must use state-approved RON platform with secure audio-visual communication, identity verification, and record-keeping. Must verify signer identity via government-issued photo ID and third-party credential analysis. Must retain audio-video recordings for at least 10 years. Electronic Notary may charge up to $25 per electronic notarial act.
Important Notes
What Makes New York Unique
New York is unique among major states in that it requires no bond, no mandatory education, and the stamp/seal is technically optional. The state has one of the lowest maximum notarial fees at $2 per traditional act (though electronic acts can be up to $25). The exam is walk-in format - no appointment needed. NY also has a mandatory 10-year journal retention requirement since January 2023.
No formal education course required - one of the few states without mandatory notary education.
No surety bond required - unusual among U.S. states.
Seal/stamp is not legally mandatory but is strongly recommended as industry best practice.
As of January 25, 2023, all notaries must keep a journal of notarial acts, retained for minimum 10 years.
Maximum fee for traditional notarial act is $2. Electronic notarial acts may charge up to $25.
Sheriffs are ineligible due to public office conflict.
NY State Bar members and court clerks with civil service exam passes are exempt from the notary exam.
⚠ Data Conflicts Found
The following fields have conflicting information across sources.
citizenship
Official NY DOS website does not explicitly state U.S. citizenship is required. Some third-party sources claim it is. The official requirement states residency or business presence in NY.
Listed as not explicitly required based on official DOS language. Marked confidence as medium.