110 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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Who are notaries public commissioned by? - CORRECT ANSWER -The Secretary of State
To whom is an application submitted to become a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWER -The
Division of Licensing Services.
How much is an application to become a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWER -$60.
What is included in the application to become a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWER -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
ANSWER -A pass slip indicating they have taken and passed the exam.
How long is the term of commission as a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWER -4 years
Where are notary publics commissioned? - CORRECT ANSWER -In their counties of
residence.
Where can the public verify the official signature of a notary? - CORRECT ANSWER -The
county clerk's office.
When is authentication of a notary's signature obtained? - CORRECT ANSWER -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 ANSWER -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 ANSWER -
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 ANSWER -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 ANSWER -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
ANSWER -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 ANSWER -
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 ANSWER -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 ANSWER -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 ANSWER -
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 ANSWER -
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 ANSWER -No.
At the time of a notary publics appointment, what must they be? - CORRECT ANSWER -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 ANSWER -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
ANSWER -$10.
How much does it cost to have issued a duplicate identification lost (to replace one that was
lost, destroyed or damaged)? - CORRECT ANSWER -$10.
Where can a notary public file his autograph signature and certificate of official character? -
CORRECT ANSWER -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 ANSWER -
$10 to the State, $10 to the county clerk, $5 for each certificate issued to the county clerk.
What costs $3? - CORRECT ANSWER -Certification of notarial signatures.
Who cannot be a notary public? - CORRECT ANSWER -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.