New York State Notary Public License
New York State Notary Public License Exam
2025 (questions with verified answers)
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.
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)
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.
,New York State Notary Public License
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
1) 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"
True/False:
A notary public is allowed to administer an oath to herself or himself under certain circumstances (by a
requesting judge in a civil trial, or at the request of the Secretary of State)
False.
A notary public can never administer an oath to themselves.
True/False:
,New York State Notary Public License
A jurat is not the affidavit.
True.
The jurat is the specific part of the document where the notary public certifies that the document was
sworn to before her or him in person. The key words here are: sworn and in person.
Guardian
A person in charge of a minor's person or property.
Bonus:
(From NYS Notary License Law)
"Equally unacceptable to the Secretary of State is the __________ administration of oaths."
"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
, New York State Notary Public License
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:
1. May not give advice on the law
2. May not ask for and get legal business to send to a lawyer
3. May not divide or agree to divide their fees with a lawyer
4. 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.
New York State Notary Public License Exam
2025 (questions with verified answers)
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.
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)
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.
,New York State Notary Public License
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
1) 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"
True/False:
A notary public is allowed to administer an oath to herself or himself under certain circumstances (by a
requesting judge in a civil trial, or at the request of the Secretary of State)
False.
A notary public can never administer an oath to themselves.
True/False:
,New York State Notary Public License
A jurat is not the affidavit.
True.
The jurat is the specific part of the document where the notary public certifies that the document was
sworn to before her or him in person. The key words here are: sworn and in person.
Guardian
A person in charge of a minor's person or property.
Bonus:
(From NYS Notary License Law)
"Equally unacceptable to the Secretary of State is the __________ administration of oaths."
"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
, New York State Notary Public License
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:
1. May not give advice on the law
2. May not ask for and get legal business to send to a lawyer
3. May not divide or agree to divide their fees with a lawyer
4. 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.
