NY Notary Guide
Preparing application documents and study materials

Become a Notary

Six steps to your commission

The official path set by the New York State Department of State.

  1. 1

    Eligibility

    Illustration of a prospective New York notary checking eligibility requirements in a library
    Review New York residency or office requirements before applying. Illustrative scene.

    Live in New York, or have an office or place of business here.

    • You must be a resident of New York State or have an office or place of business in New York State at the time of appointment.
    • Before commissioning (unless you are a NYS attorney or qualifying Unified Court System court clerk), the Secretary of State must be satisfied you are of good moral character, have the equivalent of a common school education, and are familiar with a notary's duties.
    • A person convicted of a crime may not be appointed unless the Secretary makes a finding, under all applicable law (including Correction Law Article 23-A), that the conviction is not a bar.
    • Appointment is always in the discretion of the Secretary of State.

    Source: Executive Law §130 — Notary Public License Law (Sept. 2026); NYS DOS — Become a Notary Public

  2. 2

    Examination

    Illustrative adult testing scene with paper answer sheets, pencils and a proctor
    The NYS written exam covers the License Law, general terms and notary duties. Illustrative scene.

    Pass the NYS written exam — $15, multiple choice, 1 hour.

    • Fee: $15 per exam, paid on exam day by check, money order, MasterCard or Visa. Cash is not accepted.
    • Bring current photo-bearing government ID and two #2 pencils.
    • The exam is multiple choice and covers the License Law, general terms, and notary duties as outlined in the Notary Public License Law booklet. You are allowed 1 hour.
    • Results are reported only as passed or failed — no numerical score. Results are valid for two years.
    • NYS attorneys and Unified Court System court clerks are exempt.

    Source: NYS DOS — July–December 2026 Written Exam Info & Schedule; 19 NYCRR §182.11(d) — Notary Public License Law (Sept. 2026)

    Exam scheduling

    September–December 2026 · New York City

    • From September through December 2026, New York City exams require advance scheduling by email. Email exams@dos.ny.gov with subject line "Schedule Notary Public Exam" and include your full name, address, type of exam (Notary Public), and your preferred exam date(s). Only those who receive an emailed confirmation may report to the exam site. Unscheduled arrivals are turned away. Arrive 15 minutes early.
    • Exam scheduling procedures change with each schedule period. Always check the current NYS DOS Written Exam Info & Schedule before planning your exam — dates, locations, and procedures vary.
    • For exam locations outside New York City, check the current NYS DOS exam schedule for the scheduling procedure in your region.
  3. 3

    Oath of Office

    Illustration of an applicant taking an oath before an authorized officer
    Execute the Oath of Office before a person authorized to administer it. Illustrative scene.

    Swear the oath of office before an authorized officer and have it notarized.

    • The application includes an oath of office that must be sworn and notarized (executed before any person authorized to administer an oath).
    • DOS directs applicants to download and complete the Notary Public Oath of Office (DOS-2201) and upload a scanned PDF with the online application.
    • Acting as a notary before taking and filing the required oath of office is a misdemeanor (Public Officers Law §15).

    Source: Introduction; Executive Law §131(1) — Notary Public License Law (Sept. 2026); NYS DOS — Oath of Office (DOS-2201)

  4. 4

    Application

    Illustration of scanning a supporting document for an online application
    Upload your completed oath and exam proof through NY Business Express, unless exempt. Illustrative scene.

    Apply online through NY Business Express with your pass slip and oath.

    • Create or sign in to a NY.gov account on NY Business Express (Notary Public Commission, DOS-0033).
    • Choose the commission type: traditional notary or electronic notary.
    • Upload your completed Oath of Office and submit proof you passed the exam (the “pass slip”), unless exempt.
    • You can log in to view the status of your application.

    Source: NYS DOS — Become a Notary Public; NY Business Express — Notary Public Commission (DOS-0033); Introduction — Notary Public License Law (Sept. 2026)

  5. 5

    Application Fee + Commission

    Illustration of a newly commissioned notary reviewing an identification card and notification
    After approval, receive your commission and notary public identification card. Illustrative scene.

    $60 application fee. Commission term: 4 years.

    • Submit the $60 nonrefundable application fee. No further fee is charged for issuing the commission.
    • Once satisfied of your competency and good character, the Secretary of State issues your commission for a 4-year term.
    • You receive a notary public identification card showing your name, address, county and commission term.
    • No surety bond is required under the NYS Notary Public License Law.

    Source: Executive Law §130, §131(2)–(4) — Notary Public License Law (Sept. 2026); NYS DOS — Notary Public

  6. 6

    County Record

    Illustration of county records staff indexing commission and signature records
    The Secretary of State sends the records; the county clerk indexes them. Illustrative scene.

    The Secretary of State — not you — sends your records to the county clerk.

    • The Secretary of State transmits your commission, your oath of office and official signature, and $20 of your fee to the county clerk where you reside, by the 10th day of the following month.
    • The county clerk makes a proper index/record of your commission and signature, so the public can verify your official signature there.
    • Optional: if you will regularly sign in other counties, you may file a certificate of official character with other NYS county clerks ($10 filing fee).
    • Non-attorney nonresidents with a NY office: the oath and signature are filed with the county clerk where the office or place of business is located.

    Source: Introduction; Executive Law §131(5)–(6), §132 — Notary Public License Law (Sept. 2026)