New York State (NYS) Notary Public Exam | Complete
Practice QUESTIONs, Verified Answers & Detailed
Explanations (2026/2027)
QUESTION 1 What is the official term of office for a notary public in the
State of New York?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C. 4 years
Detailed Rationale: Under New York State Notary Public License Law, a
notary public commission is granted for a term of four years.
QUESTION 2 What is the geographical jurisdiction of a notary public
appointed in New York State?
A. Restricted exclusively to the county of residence
B. Restricted to New York City and surrounding boroughs
C. Statewide, covering anywhere within the State of New York
D. Nationwide across all United States territories
Correct Answer: C. Statewide, covering anywhere within the State of
New York
,Detailed Rationale: Once commissioned, a New York State notary public
has the authority to perform notarial acts anywhere within the
boundaries of New York State.
QUESTION 3 Which of the following public officials is explicitly
prohibited by the New York State Constitution from holding the office of
notary public?
A. Mayor
B. Sheriff
C. Town Councilman
D. County Clerk
Correct Answer: B. Sheriff
Detailed Rationale: Under Article XIII, Section 13 of the New York State
Constitution, sheriffs are ineligible to hold any other office, including
that of a notary public.
QUESTION 4 What term is defined as a formal declaration before an
authorized officer by a person who has executed an instrument that
they executed it as their free act and deed?
A. Jurat
B. Protest
C. Acknowledgment
D. Deposition
Correct Answer: C. Acknowledgment
,Detailed Rationale: An acknowledgment is the formal act of a signer
declaring to a notary public that they willingly signed the document for
its stated purpose.
QUESTION 5 Under New York State law, what is the statutory fee that a
notary public may charge for administering an oath or affirmation?
A. $0.50
B. $1.00
C. $2.00
D. $5.00
Correct Answer: C. $2.00
Detailed Rationale: Executive Law § 136 sets the statutory fee for
administering an oath or affirmation, as well as for taking an
acknowledgment or proof, at $2.00.
QUESTION 6 Is it lawful for a notary public who is not an attorney to
draft a legal will or deed for a client and charge a fee?
A. Yes, provided they have taken a general business course
B. No, because drafting legal documents constitutes the unauthorized
practice of law
C. Yes, if the fee charged does not exceed $25.00
D. Yes, if both parties sign a written waiver agreement
Correct Answer: B. No, because drafting legal documents constitutes
the unauthorized practice of law
, Detailed Rationale: Notaries who are not licensed attorneys are strictly
prohibited from drafting legal instruments, giving legal advice, or
selecting legal forms for others, as this constitutes the unauthorized
practice of law.
QUESTION 7 What is the written certificate attached to an affidavit or
document that certifies the signer appeared before the notary, was
sworn, and signed in the notary's presence called?
A. Acknowledgment
B. Jurat
C. Attestation clause
D. Protest
Correct Answer: B. Jurat
Detailed Rationale: A jurat is the specific notarial certificate used for
affidavits and sworn statements, confirming that the signer took an
oath and signed in the notary's presence.
QUESTION 8 What is the general legal consequence of a felony
conviction on an individual's eligibility to hold a notary public
commission in New York?
A. It causes a temporary suspension for 6 months
B. It has no impact on professional licenses
C. It permanently disqualifies the applicant unless an executive pardon
or certificate of relief from disabilities is granted
D. It triples the filing fee required for application
Practice QUESTIONs, Verified Answers & Detailed
Explanations (2026/2027)
QUESTION 1 What is the official term of office for a notary public in the
State of New York?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C. 4 years
Detailed Rationale: Under New York State Notary Public License Law, a
notary public commission is granted for a term of four years.
QUESTION 2 What is the geographical jurisdiction of a notary public
appointed in New York State?
A. Restricted exclusively to the county of residence
B. Restricted to New York City and surrounding boroughs
C. Statewide, covering anywhere within the State of New York
D. Nationwide across all United States territories
Correct Answer: C. Statewide, covering anywhere within the State of
New York
,Detailed Rationale: Once commissioned, a New York State notary public
has the authority to perform notarial acts anywhere within the
boundaries of New York State.
QUESTION 3 Which of the following public officials is explicitly
prohibited by the New York State Constitution from holding the office of
notary public?
A. Mayor
B. Sheriff
C. Town Councilman
D. County Clerk
Correct Answer: B. Sheriff
Detailed Rationale: Under Article XIII, Section 13 of the New York State
Constitution, sheriffs are ineligible to hold any other office, including
that of a notary public.
QUESTION 4 What term is defined as a formal declaration before an
authorized officer by a person who has executed an instrument that
they executed it as their free act and deed?
A. Jurat
B. Protest
C. Acknowledgment
D. Deposition
Correct Answer: C. Acknowledgment
,Detailed Rationale: An acknowledgment is the formal act of a signer
declaring to a notary public that they willingly signed the document for
its stated purpose.
QUESTION 5 Under New York State law, what is the statutory fee that a
notary public may charge for administering an oath or affirmation?
A. $0.50
B. $1.00
C. $2.00
D. $5.00
Correct Answer: C. $2.00
Detailed Rationale: Executive Law § 136 sets the statutory fee for
administering an oath or affirmation, as well as for taking an
acknowledgment or proof, at $2.00.
QUESTION 6 Is it lawful for a notary public who is not an attorney to
draft a legal will or deed for a client and charge a fee?
A. Yes, provided they have taken a general business course
B. No, because drafting legal documents constitutes the unauthorized
practice of law
C. Yes, if the fee charged does not exceed $25.00
D. Yes, if both parties sign a written waiver agreement
Correct Answer: B. No, because drafting legal documents constitutes
the unauthorized practice of law
, Detailed Rationale: Notaries who are not licensed attorneys are strictly
prohibited from drafting legal instruments, giving legal advice, or
selecting legal forms for others, as this constitutes the unauthorized
practice of law.
QUESTION 7 What is the written certificate attached to an affidavit or
document that certifies the signer appeared before the notary, was
sworn, and signed in the notary's presence called?
A. Acknowledgment
B. Jurat
C. Attestation clause
D. Protest
Correct Answer: B. Jurat
Detailed Rationale: A jurat is the specific notarial certificate used for
affidavits and sworn statements, confirming that the signer took an
oath and signed in the notary's presence.
QUESTION 8 What is the general legal consequence of a felony
conviction on an individual's eligibility to hold a notary public
commission in New York?
A. It causes a temporary suspension for 6 months
B. It has no impact on professional licenses
C. It permanently disqualifies the applicant unless an executive pardon
or certificate of relief from disabilities is granted
D. It triples the filing fee required for application
