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New York State Notary Public License Exam
With Questions and Correct Answers 2025-
2026 / New York State Notary Public License
Exam Graded A+
Notaries public are commissioned by _____________ The Secretary of State A/An _________ may be appointed a notary public without an examination an attorney admitted to practice in New York State (bonus point: also exempt are officially appointed Court Clerks in the NY State court system) True/False: Non-residents of New York state who have offices or places of business in the state may also become notaries. True. An office or place of business is sufficient. Notary Public (The full definition, as laid out in NY state law.)
A public officer who executes acknowledgements of deeds or writings in order to render them available as evidence of the facts therein contained; administers oaths and affirmation as to the truth of statements contained in papers or documents requiring the administration of an oath. Laches The delay or negligence in asserting one's legal rights. The (1)_________ and (2)__________ of the notary must be filed in the office of the county clerk of the county where the notary is located, or has office or place of business
- oath of office, 2) signature Affiant The person who makes and subscribes their signature to an affidavit. (Hint: the term 'affiant' may be used interchangeably with the word deponent... remember this.) Extra credit, from NY State Law. Fill in the blank: "Use of the office of notary in other than the ___________ procedure required is viewed as a serious offense." "specific, step-by-step"
"slipshod" The simplest form in which an oath may be administered: "________________________?" "Do you solemnly swear that the contents of this affidavit subscribed by you is correct and true?" A/An ______________ may be used for persons who conscientiously decline taking an oath. An affirmation Escrow The placing of an instrument in the hands of a person as a depository who on the happening of a designated event, is to deliver the instrument to a third person. This agreement, once established, should be unalterable. (Often an attorney, but not always) As best you can, name the activities (involving the practice of law) that are prohibited by a notary public. May not _______ May not ______ etc. (How many are listed?)
Four things listed:
- May not give advice on the law
- May not ask for and get legal business to send to a lawyer
- May not divide or agree to divide their fees with a lawyer
- May not advertise or circulate in any manner that they have powers or rights not granted by law What document is a notary never to acknowledge? A will What is New York County also known as? Manhattan. True/False: The Secretary of State must have notaries commissioned in every county, and no more notaries per county than are residents of that county. False. Unlimited number. There is no restriction to the number of notaries the Secretary of State can appoint. How long is the term of a notary public? 4 years
There are 3 qualifying requirements. 1: applicant must have good moral character 2: common school education (or equivalent)
- must be familiar with duties and responsibilities of a NP Note that the law does not require a HS diploma or college degree. The law simply says 'common school education'. Ex Parte (Latin, means "From One Side Only".) A hearing or examination in the presence of, or on papers filed by, one party and in the absence of the other. Define an "administator" (in notary public terms) A person appointed by a court to manage the estate of a deceased person who left no will Plaintiff A person who starts a suit or brings an action against another. True/False:
Official character cards are issued by the Secretary of State and are filed with a county clerk. False. County clerks issue official character cards (to be filed with other county clerks). Within what period of time after the expiration of their term must a NP reapply to avoid having to re- qualify? 6 months Define an "acknowledgement" (in notary public terms) A formal declaration by a person executing a document that such execution is their own act and deed. Under what circumstance is the renewal period for the expiration of a notary public term extended? What is the period of extension? Restrictions? Those notaries who became enlisted in the military are given 1 year to reapply after the end of their term after leaving the military. It must be an honorable discharge, however. Statute of Limitations A law that limits the time within which a criminal prosecution or a civil action must be started.
True/False: An attorney who is a notary public who moves out of NY State, but who keeps an office in NY State, is not deemed a resident of that county where she or he is a notary public, but they are still allowed to keep their notary public license. Trick question. False. As per State notary law they are still deemed a resident of their NY county just by keeping an office or place of business in that county. (Don't complain about trick questions, the exam will definitely have a few...) True/False: A person convicted of assault or illegally carrying a weapon is disqualified from being a notary public False. Assault is not listed as a disqualification. Carrying an illegal weapon, yes. Check other question card(s) or study the NYS License Law document for the full list... Lease A contract whereby, for a consideration, usually termed rent, one who is entitled to the possession of a real property transfers such right to another for life, for a term of years, or at will. When applying to be a notary public, what thing(s) other than fees must be submitted to the Secretary of State along with the application?
- the oath of office (itself notarized)
- official signature of the new NP True/False: Under NY State law, NY State notaries are allowed to notarize documents in New Jersey if the person(s) signing the document can prove a physical residence in New York state (with ID, etc). False. NY State notaries can only notarize documents in the geographical boundaries of NY state. No exceptions. To whom do you apply to be a Notary Public? And how much is the fee? The Secretary of State. $60. True/False: All notary publics when appointed will receive an official notary public stamp and ID card. False. You only get a (paper) ID card. Go buy the rubber stamp yourself.
[For answer #1? Read the whole statement through... the only possible answer was the county clerk.] True/False: Taking acknowledgements and affidavits over the telephone can be legal in certain circumstances as long as it is formalized in writing soon after. False. Nothing can be notarized over the telephone, under any circumstances. The (1) _____________ shall receive a non-refundable application fee of (2)_______ from each applicant for reappointment.
- County clerk. Note the word reappointment here. The original application to be a notary public goes to the Secretary of State, but subsequent renewals go to the County Clerk where the notary public is registered. This is a very important distinction to remember. Every 4 years you renew with your particular County Clerk, not the Dept. of State.
- $ True/False: The name and address of a Notary Public may be changed during the time of their commission as well as at reapplication/renewal.
True. There is a $10 fee to change a name or address mid-term, but there is no additional charge if done at the same time as the regular renewal process. (The $60 renewal fee covers any name or address changes. Just make any needed changes on the renewal form.) Instead of an oath, this affirmation is legally equivalent to an oath and just as binding: "__________________?" "Do you solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the statements made by you are true and correct?" Duress Unlawful constraint exercised upon a person whereby he is forced to do some act against his will. True/False: A lost, stolen, or damaged card can be replaced. It must bear the word "UNOFFICIAL COPY" across the face of it. False. Cards can be replaced for a $10 fee, but it will have the word DUPLICATE across the face of it. PS: Don't think you won't get tricky questions like this on the exam. And btw, a duplicate is a lot better than an unofficial copy... Do your best and define "Taking an Acknowledgement" in notary public terms...
As a notary, you are qualified in New York County. When writing out your check to pay for your notary renewal, you will make the check payable to: a) New York County Department of State b) New York County Clerk c) New York Department of State d) New York State Division of Licensing e) It is not possible to be qualified in New York County b) The New York County Clerk Fill in the blank: "An instrument with such certificate of authentication of the county clerk affixed thereto shall be entitled to ___________" (Hint: this is why a notarized document is valuable) to be read in evidence (in a court, etc) True/False: A person once removed from office as a notary public can be reapply only after a period of seven years and a new exam and application. False. They are never eligible again.
To sign or execute any instrument as a notary public after the removal from office as a notary public is a _________ crime Misdemeanor. (Important - remember the specific criminal level of each type of notary public misbehavior/crime.) Fill in the blank: "A commissioner of __________ or inspector of ________ is eligible for the office of notary public." (hint: it's the same word twice) Elections. Commissioners and inspectors of elections can be notaries public. How many counties are there in New York state? a) 16 b) 60 c) 12 d) 62 e) 14 D. 62 counties Oath
Wrong on both counts, actually. If a notary changes their name mid-term, they can add their new name (in parenthesis) immediately. Upon renewal after their 4 year term is over they can use either name, whichever they choose, but not both. They have to pick one. What is the crucial difference between an 'acknowledgement' and a 'jurat' in notarizing documents? In a jurat, the affiant (signer) takes an oath before signing the document. Fill in the blank: (This is a special addendum added to the disqualifications list in notary license law.) "No person is eligible for the office of a notary public who has been convicted of a violation of (1) ___________, or the (2) ________________." 1 ) selective draft
- federal selective training and service act True/False: Each county clerk must designate at least one free notary public among their staff to be available during a clearly designated and published day (or days) of the week. False. Trick question. A county clerk must designate at least one person from their staff to act as a notary public, free of charge, and the notary must be available during all normal business hours. (Not a selected day or days. The law states 'all normal business hours'.)
True/False: The privileges and rights of a notary public are personal and cannot be delegated to anyone except a direct supervisor. False. It cannot be delegated to anyone. [In American English] what is the plural form of notary public?
notaries public (Similar to 'attorneys general', 'surgeons general', etc. Compound noun plural possessive...) Lien A legal right or claim upon a specific property which attaches to the property until a debt is satisfied. In what specific case is a notary public always disqualified in notarizing any document? If they have an interest in the case. (They are a party to any money, property, or mortgage involved, or are a trustee.) If the notary public is financially or beneficially interested in the conveyance or instrument, that document becomes a 'nullity' with no legal effect.
