New York State Notary Public License
Exam, NY Notary Exam 1, NYS Notary
Exam 2, NYS Notary Exam 3 Well
Detailed and Verified Answers
Who are notaries public commissioned by? - CORRECT ANSWERS-The Secretary of
State
To whom is an application submitted to become a notary public? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-The Division of Licensing Services.
How much is an application to become a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWERS-$60.
What is included in the application to become a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
An oath of office, duly executed before any person authorized to administer an oath,
together with their signature.
What must also be included in the application to become a notary public? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-A pass slip indicating they have taken and passed the exam.
How long is the term of commission as a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWERS-4
years
Where are notary publics commissioned? - CORRECT ANSWERS-In their counties of
residence.
Where can the public verify the official signature of a notary? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
The county clerk's office.
When is authentication of a notary's signature obtained? - CORRECT ANSWERS-When
a document will be used outside the State.
What should notaries do when they expect to sign documents regularly in counties other
than their residence? - CORRECT ANSWERS-File a certificate of official character with
other New York state county clerks.
Which nonresidents may be allowed to be a notary in a state? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Attorneys who maintain law offices within the State, and others who have offices or
places of business in NYS.
,Where must the oath of office and signature be filed for an out-of-state resident who is a
notary? - CORRECT ANSWERS-The office of the county clerk of the county in which
the office or place of business is located.
When is taking an acknowledgment and affidavit illegal? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Without the actual, personal appearance of the individual, (i.e. over the phone or
otherwise).
What are the simplest forms in which an oath may be lawfully administered? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-Do you solemnly swear that the contents of this affidavit
subscribed by you is correct and true?
What is another way to affirm for those who decline taking an oath? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Do you solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the statements
made by you are true and correct?
What is the is one (1st) thing a notary public may not do? hint: A - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Give advice on the law (i.e. cannot draw legal papers like wills, deeds, bills
of sale, etc)
What is another (2nd) thing a notary public may not do? hint: B - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Ask for and get legal business to send to a lawyer with whom they have any
business connection
What is another (3rd) thing a notary public may not do? hint: D - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Divide or agree to divide their fees with a lawyer or accept any part of a
lawyer's fee on any legal business.
What is another (4th) thing a notary public may not do? hint: A - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Advertise in or circulate in any paper or advertisement that they have any powers or
rights not given to the notary by the laws under which the notary was appointed.
Is an acknowledgment of the execution of a will the equivalent of an attestation clause
accompanying a will? - CORRECT ANSWERS-No.
At the time of a notary publics appointment, what must they be? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-A citizen of the US & a resident of NYS or have an office or place of
business in NYS.
After being commissioned, what does a notary public receive? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
An identification card indicating the appointee's name, address, county & commission
term.
How much does it cost to change the name or the address of a notary public? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-$10.
,How much does it cost to have issued a duplicate identification lost (to replace one that
was lost, destroyed or damaged)? - CORRECT ANSWERS-$10.
Where can a notary public file his autograph signature and certificate of official
character? - CORRECT ANSWERS-In the office of any county clerk of any county in the
STate.
How much does it cost to submit a certificate of official character? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-$10 to the State, $10 to the county clerk, $5 for each certificate issued to
the county clerk.
What costs $3? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Certification of notarial signatures.
Who cannot be a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Any person removed from
office as a commissioner of deeds for the City of New York. Acting as a notary may be
deemed a misdemeanor.
Is a commissioner of elections or inspector eligible for the office of notary public? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-Yes.
Who cannot be a notary public (2)? hint: army - CORRECT ANSWERS-Those
convicted of a violation of the selective draft act, or of the federal selective training and
service act.
Who does not have to pay an exam or application fee to be a notary public? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-They who have been designated from the county clerk's office.
Can a member of the legislature be appointed a notary public? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Yes.
Can sheriffs be notaries public? - CORRECT ANSWERS-No.
When are notaries disqualified to act? - CORRECT ANSWERS-When they have an
interest in the case.
What can the signature and seal of a county clerk be? - CORRECT ANSWERS-A
facsimile, printed, stamped, photographed or engraved.
Can a notary public take the acknowledgment or proof of any party to a written
instrument executed by a corporation they are employed by or have direct ties to? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-Yes unless they are a party executing the instrument.
What defects cannot be deemed invalid? 1-3 - CORRECT ANSWERS-1. ineligibility of
the notary public or commissioner of deeds to be appointed or commissioned as such.
2. misnomer or misspelling of name or other error made in his appointment or
commission.
, 3. omission of the notary public/commissioner of deeds to take or file his official oath or
otherwise qualify.
What defects cannot be deemed invalid? 4-6 - CORRECT ANSWERS-4. expiration of
his term, commission or appointment
5. vacating of his office by change of his residence, by acceptance of another public
office, or by other action on his part
6. the fact that the action was taken outside the jurisdiction where the notary public or
commissioner of deeds was authorized to act.
When can the defects not be deemed invalid? - CORRECT ANSWERS-After six months
from the date of the official certificate.
What does conveyance include? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Every written instrument by
which any estate or interest in real property is created, transferred, mortgaged or
assigned, or by which the title to any real property may be affected, including an
instrument in execution of power, although the power be one of revocation only, and an
instrument postponing or subordinating a mortgage lien.
What does conveyance not include? - CORRECT ANSWERS-A will, a lease for a term
not exceeding three years, an executory contract for the sale or purchase of lands, an
instrument containing a power to convey real property as the agent or attorney for the
owner of such property.
Where can the acknowledgment or proof of a conveyance of real property be made,
within the state? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Before a justice of the supreme court, an
official examiner of title, an official referee, or a notary public.
Where can the acknowledgment or proof of a conveyance of real property be made,
within the district wherein such officer is authorized to perform? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Before a judge or clerk of any court of record, a commissioner of deeds
outside of NYC, or w/in the 5 counties of NYC, the mayor or recorder of a city, a
surrogate, special surrogate or special county judge, or the county clerk or other
recording officer of a county.
Where can the acknowledgment or proof, within the county containing the town in which
the notary is authorized, of a conveyance of real property be made? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Before a justice of the peace, town councilman, village police justice or a
judge of any court of inferior local jurisdiction.
What must a person taking the acknowledgment or proof of a conveyance do? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-They must endorse or attach a signed certificate, stating all the
matter required to be done, known, or proved by the acknowledgment or proof.
Where can a notary public administer oaths or take affidavits? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Anywhere in the state.
Exam, NY Notary Exam 1, NYS Notary
Exam 2, NYS Notary Exam 3 Well
Detailed and Verified Answers
Who are notaries public commissioned by? - CORRECT ANSWERS-The Secretary of
State
To whom is an application submitted to become a notary public? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-The Division of Licensing Services.
How much is an application to become a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWERS-$60.
What is included in the application to become a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
An oath of office, duly executed before any person authorized to administer an oath,
together with their signature.
What must also be included in the application to become a notary public? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-A pass slip indicating they have taken and passed the exam.
How long is the term of commission as a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWERS-4
years
Where are notary publics commissioned? - CORRECT ANSWERS-In their counties of
residence.
Where can the public verify the official signature of a notary? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
The county clerk's office.
When is authentication of a notary's signature obtained? - CORRECT ANSWERS-When
a document will be used outside the State.
What should notaries do when they expect to sign documents regularly in counties other
than their residence? - CORRECT ANSWERS-File a certificate of official character with
other New York state county clerks.
Which nonresidents may be allowed to be a notary in a state? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Attorneys who maintain law offices within the State, and others who have offices or
places of business in NYS.
,Where must the oath of office and signature be filed for an out-of-state resident who is a
notary? - CORRECT ANSWERS-The office of the county clerk of the county in which
the office or place of business is located.
When is taking an acknowledgment and affidavit illegal? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Without the actual, personal appearance of the individual, (i.e. over the phone or
otherwise).
What are the simplest forms in which an oath may be lawfully administered? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-Do you solemnly swear that the contents of this affidavit
subscribed by you is correct and true?
What is another way to affirm for those who decline taking an oath? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Do you solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the statements
made by you are true and correct?
What is the is one (1st) thing a notary public may not do? hint: A - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Give advice on the law (i.e. cannot draw legal papers like wills, deeds, bills
of sale, etc)
What is another (2nd) thing a notary public may not do? hint: B - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Ask for and get legal business to send to a lawyer with whom they have any
business connection
What is another (3rd) thing a notary public may not do? hint: D - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Divide or agree to divide their fees with a lawyer or accept any part of a
lawyer's fee on any legal business.
What is another (4th) thing a notary public may not do? hint: A - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Advertise in or circulate in any paper or advertisement that they have any powers or
rights not given to the notary by the laws under which the notary was appointed.
Is an acknowledgment of the execution of a will the equivalent of an attestation clause
accompanying a will? - CORRECT ANSWERS-No.
At the time of a notary publics appointment, what must they be? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-A citizen of the US & a resident of NYS or have an office or place of
business in NYS.
After being commissioned, what does a notary public receive? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
An identification card indicating the appointee's name, address, county & commission
term.
How much does it cost to change the name or the address of a notary public? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-$10.
,How much does it cost to have issued a duplicate identification lost (to replace one that
was lost, destroyed or damaged)? - CORRECT ANSWERS-$10.
Where can a notary public file his autograph signature and certificate of official
character? - CORRECT ANSWERS-In the office of any county clerk of any county in the
STate.
How much does it cost to submit a certificate of official character? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-$10 to the State, $10 to the county clerk, $5 for each certificate issued to
the county clerk.
What costs $3? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Certification of notarial signatures.
Who cannot be a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Any person removed from
office as a commissioner of deeds for the City of New York. Acting as a notary may be
deemed a misdemeanor.
Is a commissioner of elections or inspector eligible for the office of notary public? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-Yes.
Who cannot be a notary public (2)? hint: army - CORRECT ANSWERS-Those
convicted of a violation of the selective draft act, or of the federal selective training and
service act.
Who does not have to pay an exam or application fee to be a notary public? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-They who have been designated from the county clerk's office.
Can a member of the legislature be appointed a notary public? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Yes.
Can sheriffs be notaries public? - CORRECT ANSWERS-No.
When are notaries disqualified to act? - CORRECT ANSWERS-When they have an
interest in the case.
What can the signature and seal of a county clerk be? - CORRECT ANSWERS-A
facsimile, printed, stamped, photographed or engraved.
Can a notary public take the acknowledgment or proof of any party to a written
instrument executed by a corporation they are employed by or have direct ties to? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-Yes unless they are a party executing the instrument.
What defects cannot be deemed invalid? 1-3 - CORRECT ANSWERS-1. ineligibility of
the notary public or commissioner of deeds to be appointed or commissioned as such.
2. misnomer or misspelling of name or other error made in his appointment or
commission.
, 3. omission of the notary public/commissioner of deeds to take or file his official oath or
otherwise qualify.
What defects cannot be deemed invalid? 4-6 - CORRECT ANSWERS-4. expiration of
his term, commission or appointment
5. vacating of his office by change of his residence, by acceptance of another public
office, or by other action on his part
6. the fact that the action was taken outside the jurisdiction where the notary public or
commissioner of deeds was authorized to act.
When can the defects not be deemed invalid? - CORRECT ANSWERS-After six months
from the date of the official certificate.
What does conveyance include? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Every written instrument by
which any estate or interest in real property is created, transferred, mortgaged or
assigned, or by which the title to any real property may be affected, including an
instrument in execution of power, although the power be one of revocation only, and an
instrument postponing or subordinating a mortgage lien.
What does conveyance not include? - CORRECT ANSWERS-A will, a lease for a term
not exceeding three years, an executory contract for the sale or purchase of lands, an
instrument containing a power to convey real property as the agent or attorney for the
owner of such property.
Where can the acknowledgment or proof of a conveyance of real property be made,
within the state? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Before a justice of the supreme court, an
official examiner of title, an official referee, or a notary public.
Where can the acknowledgment or proof of a conveyance of real property be made,
within the district wherein such officer is authorized to perform? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Before a judge or clerk of any court of record, a commissioner of deeds
outside of NYC, or w/in the 5 counties of NYC, the mayor or recorder of a city, a
surrogate, special surrogate or special county judge, or the county clerk or other
recording officer of a county.
Where can the acknowledgment or proof, within the county containing the town in which
the notary is authorized, of a conveyance of real property be made? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Before a justice of the peace, town councilman, village police justice or a
judge of any court of inferior local jurisdiction.
What must a person taking the acknowledgment or proof of a conveyance do? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-They must endorse or attach a signed certificate, stating all the
matter required to be done, known, or proved by the acknowledgment or proof.
Where can a notary public administer oaths or take affidavits? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Anywhere in the state.
