New York notary exam practice questions

New to the process? Start with how to become a notary in New York.

1. Who appoints notaries public in New York?

   1. The Governor
   2. The county clerk of the county
   3. The Secretary of State
   4. The Attorney General
   Show the answer

   C. The Secretary of State

   Executive Law §130: the Secretary of State appoints notaries.

   Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

2. Who may be appointed without taking the exam?

   1. Any college graduate
   2. A NYS-admitted attorney
   3. A bank officer
   4. A former notary from another state
   Show the answer

   B. A NYS-admitted attorney

   Attorneys admitted in New York are exempt from the exam.

   Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

3. What level of education must an applicant have?

   1. A high school diploma or a GED certificate
   2. An associate or bachelor's college degree
   3. No education requirement of any kind
   4. The equivalent of a common school education
   Show the answer

   D. The equivalent of a common school education

   §130 requires the equivalent of a common school education.

   Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

4. Within how many days must a notary report a change of address?

   1. 5 days
   2. 10 days
   3. 30 days
   4. 60 days
   Show the answer

   A. 5 days

   19 NYCRR 182.3: within five days.

   Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

5. Which county must appear under a notary's signature?

   1. The county where the notary originally qualified
   2. The county where the act takes place
   3. The county where the signer resides or works
   4. Albany County, where the Department of State sits
   Show the answer

   A. The county where the notary originally qualified

   §137 requires the county of original qualification (the venue shows where the act happened).

   Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

6. If a NY notary chooses to use a seal, it should show:

   1. The notary's name and "Notary Public for the State of New York"
   2. The New York State flag and the notary's county of residence
   3. The county seal of the county where the notary qualified
   4. The notary's commission number only, with no name
   Show the answer

   A. The notary's name and "Notary Public for the State of New York"

   That is the Department's guidance in the glossary.

   Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

7. May a notary administer an oath to himself or herself?

   1. Yes, if another notary is present
   2. Only for an affidavit
   3. No, not under any circumstances
   4. Only electronically
   Show the answer

   C. No, not under any circumstances

   A notary may not swear himself or herself.

   Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

8. A notary is not satisfied that a signer understands what they are signing. The notary:

   1. May refuse
   2. Must proceed
   3. Must call the police
   4. Must ask a lawyer to decide
   Show the answer

   A. May refuse

   182.3(b): the notary may refuse if not satisfied of competence or knowing, voluntary signing.

   Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

9. May a New York notary solemnize a marriage?

   1. Yes, the same as a judge
   2. No, notaries are not authorized to
   3. Only in their own county
   4. Only with a marriage license
   Show the answer

   B. No, notaries are not authorized to

   Domestic Relations Law §11: notaries may not solemnize marriages.

   Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

10. A notary employed by a corporation may notarize for it unless:

    1. The notary is personally a party to or financially interested in the instrument
    2. The notary owns any amount of stock in the corporation, however small
    3. The document is a contract that an officer signs on the corporation's behalf
    4. The notarization takes place on a Sunday or legal holiday
    Show the answer

    A. The notary is personally a party to or financially interested in the instrument

    §138 allows it except where the notary is personally a party or interested.

    Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

11. What is the fee for each additional notice of protest, and up to how many?

    1. $0.10, up to 5
    2. $0.25, up to 3
    3. $1, no limit
    4. $0.75, up to 10
    Show the answer

    A. $0.10, up to 5

    10 cents each, limit 5.

    Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

12. Who may advertise as a notary public?

    1. Anyone who has passed the notary exam
    2. Any attorney's assistant or paralegal
    3. Anyone who owns a notary seal or stamp
    4. Only a person appointed as a notary
    Show the answer

    D. Only a person appointed as a notary

    §135-a prohibits holding out without an appointment.

    Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

13. How long must a notary keep records of notarial acts?

    1. At least 3 years
    2. At least 5 years
    3. Until the commission expires
    4. At least 10 years
    Show the answer

    D. At least 10 years

    19 NYCRR 182.9(b): at least ten years.

    Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

14. During an electronic notarial act, where must the notary be?

    1. Physically in New York
    2. Anywhere in the United States
    3. In their home county
    4. In the signer's state
    Show the answer

    A. Physically in New York

    §135-c: the notary must be physically present in New York.

    Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

15. How long must the audio-video recording of an electronic act be kept?

    1. At least 1 year
    2. At least 10 years
    3. At least 5 years
    4. Until the commission ends
    Show the answer

    B. At least 10 years

    §135-c(2)(b) and 182.8: at least ten years.

    Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

16. Fraud or deceit in performing notarial duties is:

    1. A misdemeanor and grounds for removal
    2. A violation only, punished by a fine
    3. Not punishable if no one was harmed
    4. A civil matter between the parties only
    Show the answer

    A. A misdemeanor and grounds for removal

    §135-a(2).

    Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

17. A notary's misconduct injures someone. The notary is:

    1. Never liable
    2. Liable only if bonded
    3. Liable only for $500
    4. Liable for damages
    Show the answer

    D. Liable for damages

    Notaries are liable for damages from misconduct.

    Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

18. A "jurat" is:

    1. The part of an affidavit where the officer certifies it was sworn before them
    2. The affidavit itself, including every fact the affiant swears is true
    3. A court order directing a witness to appear and testify at a hearing
    4. A type of embossed seal that notaries press onto sworn documents
    Show the answer

    A. The part of an affidavit where the officer certifies it was sworn before them

    Glossary: it is not the affidavit.

    Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

19. A "conveyance" is any written instrument that transfers an interest in real property, except:

    1. A will
    2. A deed
    3. A mortgage
    4. A lease
    Show the answer

    A. A will

    Glossary: any instrument except a will.

    Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

20. "Ex parte" means:

    1. With both parties present and each given a chance to be heard
    2. With only one party present or on one party's papers
    3. Outside the state where the case was originally filed
    4. After the filing deadline has passed, by special leave
    Show the answer

    B. With only one party present or on one party's papers

    Glossary definition.

    Source: NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026)

Unofficial practice questions written from the public sources named under each answer. They are not the state's exam, are not affiliated with the State of New York, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.