NYS Notary Public Exam V2
2026/2027: Questions & Answers with
Rationales | Updated for S6268 Fees,
RON (Executive Law 135-c) & the 10-
Year Journal Rule
Section 1: Foundational Concepts & Jurisdiction (Questions 1-25)
Q1: Under the 2026 fee structures implemented by NY Senate Bill
S6268, a notary performs a traditional paper-based acknowledgment
for two principals signing a single document. What is the MAXIMUM
allowable fee?
A) $5.00
B) $6.00
C) $10.00
D) $25.00
Answer: C) $10.00
Rationale: Fees are assessed per person acknowledging the instrument,
not per document. At $5.00 per person/signature, two principals = $10.00
total. Option A ($5.00) incorrectly treats it as a single transaction fee.
Option D ($25.00) is the RON fee cap, not traditional notarizations.
,Q2: A notary is asked to perform a Remote Online Notarization (RON).
Which of the following is TRUE under Executive Law 135-c?
A) The notary must be physically located anywhere in the United States
B) The principal must be physically located in New York State
C) The notary must be physically located in New York State
D) Both notary and principal must be in New York State
Answer: C) The notary must be physically located in New York State
Rationale: Electronic notarization removes the geographic barrier for
the signer, not the notary. The notary's authority originates from New York
soil—crossing the state line invalidates the digital stamp. The principal may
be anywhere in the world.
Q3: Under 19 NYCRR 182.9, what is the MANDATORY retention period
for a notarial journal?
A) 3 years from the date of last entry
B) 5 years from commission expiration
C) 7 years from the date of the act
D) 10 years from the date of the transaction
Answer: D) 10 years from the date of the transaction
Rationale: Whether paper or electronic, the journal must be retained for
exactly 10 years from the transaction date. This unified standard applies to
traditional and RON acts alike. Treat the journal as a permanent liability
shield.
,Q4: A notary who issues a false certificate may be guilty of which
offense?
A) Class A Misdemeanor only
B) Class E Felony
C) Civil penalty only
D) Class B Misdemeanor
Answer: B) Class E Felony
Rationale: Under Penal Law 175.40, issuing a false certificate is a Class E
Felony (up to 4 years prison). Willful official misconduct is a Class A
Misdemeanor, but false certification carries felony status.
Q5: A client presents a document in Spanish. The notarial certificate is
in English. The notary speaks only English, but the client speaks
conversational English. What should the notary do?
A) Refuse because the notary cannot read the document
B) Proceed, as the notary only verifies identity and signature
C) Require a certified translation
D) Refuse unless a translator is present
Answer: B) Proceed, as the notary only verifies identity and signature
Rationale: Notaries authenticate the person, not the document's content.
As long as the notary can communicate with the principal for the
oath/acknowledgment and the certificate is in a language the notary reads,
they may proceed.
, Q6: What is the MAXIMUM fee for administering an oath or
affirmation and certifying the same?
A) $2.00
B) $3.00
C) $5.00
D) $10.00
Answer: A) $2.00
Rationale: The statutory fee for administering an oath or affirmation is
$2.00. Note: This differs from the $5.00 acknowledgment fee under S6268.
Q7: A notary's jurisdiction is co-extensive with which geographic area?
A) The county of residence
B) The county of employment
C) The State of New York
D) The Tri-state area
Answer: C) The State of New York
Rationale: A New York notary's jurisdiction covers the entire State of New
York. Jurisdiction and authentication are separate—while you can notarize
anywhere in NY, local authentication requires a Certificate of Official
Character on file with that county.
2026/2027: Questions & Answers with
Rationales | Updated for S6268 Fees,
RON (Executive Law 135-c) & the 10-
Year Journal Rule
Section 1: Foundational Concepts & Jurisdiction (Questions 1-25)
Q1: Under the 2026 fee structures implemented by NY Senate Bill
S6268, a notary performs a traditional paper-based acknowledgment
for two principals signing a single document. What is the MAXIMUM
allowable fee?
A) $5.00
B) $6.00
C) $10.00
D) $25.00
Answer: C) $10.00
Rationale: Fees are assessed per person acknowledging the instrument,
not per document. At $5.00 per person/signature, two principals = $10.00
total. Option A ($5.00) incorrectly treats it as a single transaction fee.
Option D ($25.00) is the RON fee cap, not traditional notarizations.
,Q2: A notary is asked to perform a Remote Online Notarization (RON).
Which of the following is TRUE under Executive Law 135-c?
A) The notary must be physically located anywhere in the United States
B) The principal must be physically located in New York State
C) The notary must be physically located in New York State
D) Both notary and principal must be in New York State
Answer: C) The notary must be physically located in New York State
Rationale: Electronic notarization removes the geographic barrier for
the signer, not the notary. The notary's authority originates from New York
soil—crossing the state line invalidates the digital stamp. The principal may
be anywhere in the world.
Q3: Under 19 NYCRR 182.9, what is the MANDATORY retention period
for a notarial journal?
A) 3 years from the date of last entry
B) 5 years from commission expiration
C) 7 years from the date of the act
D) 10 years from the date of the transaction
Answer: D) 10 years from the date of the transaction
Rationale: Whether paper or electronic, the journal must be retained for
exactly 10 years from the transaction date. This unified standard applies to
traditional and RON acts alike. Treat the journal as a permanent liability
shield.
,Q4: A notary who issues a false certificate may be guilty of which
offense?
A) Class A Misdemeanor only
B) Class E Felony
C) Civil penalty only
D) Class B Misdemeanor
Answer: B) Class E Felony
Rationale: Under Penal Law 175.40, issuing a false certificate is a Class E
Felony (up to 4 years prison). Willful official misconduct is a Class A
Misdemeanor, but false certification carries felony status.
Q5: A client presents a document in Spanish. The notarial certificate is
in English. The notary speaks only English, but the client speaks
conversational English. What should the notary do?
A) Refuse because the notary cannot read the document
B) Proceed, as the notary only verifies identity and signature
C) Require a certified translation
D) Refuse unless a translator is present
Answer: B) Proceed, as the notary only verifies identity and signature
Rationale: Notaries authenticate the person, not the document's content.
As long as the notary can communicate with the principal for the
oath/acknowledgment and the certificate is in a language the notary reads,
they may proceed.
, Q6: What is the MAXIMUM fee for administering an oath or
affirmation and certifying the same?
A) $2.00
B) $3.00
C) $5.00
D) $10.00
Answer: A) $2.00
Rationale: The statutory fee for administering an oath or affirmation is
$2.00. Note: This differs from the $5.00 acknowledgment fee under S6268.
Q7: A notary's jurisdiction is co-extensive with which geographic area?
A) The county of residence
B) The county of employment
C) The State of New York
D) The Tri-state area
Answer: C) The State of New York
Rationale: A New York notary's jurisdiction covers the entire State of New
York. Jurisdiction and authentication are separate—while you can notarize
anywhere in NY, local authentication requires a Certificate of Official
Character on file with that county.
