NYS Notary Exam Study Guide Latest Update 2025

Who are notaries public commissioned by? - Correct Ans-The Secretary of State To whom is an application submitted to become a notary public? - Correct Ans-The Division of Licensing Services. How much is an application to become a notary public? - Correct Ans-$60. What is included in the application to become a notary public? - Correct Ans-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 Ans A pass slip indicating they have taken and passed the exam. How long is the term of commission as a notary public? - Correct Ans-4 years Where are notary publics commissioned? - Correct Ans-In their counties of residence. Where can the public verify the official signature of a notary? - Correct Ans-The county clerk's office. When is authentication of a notary's signature obtained? - Correct Ans-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 Ans-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 Ans-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 Ans-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 Ans-Without the actual, personal appearance of the individual, (i.e. over the phone or otherwise). NYS NYS What are the simplest forms in which an oath may be lawfully administered? - Correct Ans-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 Ans-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 Ans-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 Ans-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 Ans-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 Ans-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 Ans-No. At the time of a notary publics appointment, what must they be? - Correct Ans-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 Ans-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 Ans-$10. How much does it cost to have issued a duplicate identification lost (to replace one that was lost, destroyed or damaged)? - Correct Ans-$10. Where can a notary public file his autograph signature and certificate of official character? - Correct Ans-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 Ans-$10 to the State, $10 to the county clerk, $5 for each certificate issued to the county clerk. What costs $3? - Correct Ans-Certification of notarial signatures. NYS NYS Who cannot be a notary public? - Correct Ans-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 Ans-Yes. Who cannot be a notary public (2)? hint: army - Correct Ans-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 Ans-They who have been designated from the county clerk's office. Can a member of the legislature be appointed a notary public? - Correct Ans-Yes. Can sheriffs be notaries public? - Correct Ans-No. When are notaries disqualified to act? - Correct Ans-When they have an interest in the case. What can the signature and seal of a county clerk be? - Correct Ans-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 Ans-Yes unless they are a party executing the instrument. What defects cannot be deemed invalid? 1-3 - Correct Ans-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 Ans-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 Ans-After six months from the date of the official certificate. What does conveyance include? - Correct Ans-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 a