NY Notary FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about notary public services, becoming a notary in New York, notary fees, and notary law.
General Notary Questions
A notary public is an official appointed by the state who witnesses the signing of important documents, administers oaths and affirmations, and certifies the identity of signers. In New York, notaries can take acknowledgments, administer oaths, take depositions in civil proceedings, and protest negotiable instruments.
Use our directory at nynotaryhub.com/find-a-notary to search by city, neighborhood, or zip code. You can also find free notarizations at most bank branches (for account holders) and at New York Public Library locations.
Bring a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. The notary must be able to verify your identity. Some notaries may accept other forms of identification but a photo ID is the most widely accepted.
Yes. A notary must refuse if they cannot verify the signer's identity, if the signer appears to be signing under duress, if the document is incomplete, if the notary has a financial interest in the document, or if the notarization would be illegal.
Becoming a NY Notary
To become a NY notary: (1) Meet eligibility requirements - 18+, US citizen or resident alien, NY resident or NY place of business; (2) Pass the notary exam ($15 fee) with 70% or higher; (3) Submit application and $60 fee to the NY DOS; (4) Take oath of office; (5) File commission with County Clerk. See our full guide at /how-to-become-a-notary-in-ny/.
From exam to active commission: taking the exam is walk-in, results arrive in ~10 days, application processing takes 3-5 business days online at businessexpress.ny.gov. Most people are fully commissioned within 2-3 weeks of taking the exam.
No. NY-licensed attorneys and court clerks (after passing the civil service exam) are exempt from the notary exam. They can apply directly for a commission without the written test.
A felony conviction is a disqualifying factor, but it is not automatically permanent. A pardon from the Governor removes the disability. Some misdemeanor convictions also disqualify applicants. Contact the NY DOS for specific guidance on your situation.
Notary Fees and Costs
The statutory fee is $2 per notarial act (acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation). This is the maximum fee for the notarial act itself. Mobile notaries charge additional travel fees not regulated by law. Remote online notaries may charge up to $25 per act.
For the notarial act itself, $2 is the maximum. However, mobile notaries routinely charge additional travel fees (typically $50-200 in NYC) that are separate from the notarial act fee. These travel fees are not regulated.
Banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, TD Bank) offer free notarizations to account holders. New York Public Library branches offer free notary services. Many credit unions also offer free notarizations to members.
NY Notary Law
A NY notary may perform notarial acts throughout New York State, not just in their county of commissioning. However, your notary commission certificate must be filed with the county clerk in each county where you regularly perform notarizations.
NY law does not prohibit notarizing for family members by name, but a notary should not notarize a document in which they have a financial interest. If a family member is leaving you money in a will, you should not notarize that will.
An acknowledgment is when a person appears before the notary and declares they signed a document voluntarily. No oath is required. An oath (used in affidavits and jurats) requires the signer to swear or affirm that the contents of the document are true. This is an important distinction on the notary exam.
No. NY notaries do not have the authority to solemnize marriages. Marriage ceremonies in NY must be performed by a religious official, civil official (judge, mayor, clerk), or someone who obtains a one-day marriage officiant certificate.