NYS NOTARY EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS & CORRECT SOLUTIONS
Who are notaries public commissioned by? - ANSWERThe Secretary of State
To whom is an application submitted to become a notary public? - ANSWERThe
Division of Licensing Services.
How much is an application to become a notary public? - ANSWER$60.
What is included in the application to become a notary public? - ANSWERAn 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? - ANSWERA
pass slip indicating they have taken and passed the exam.
How long is the term of commission as a notary public? - ANSWER4 years
Where are notary publics commissioned? - ANSWERIn their counties of residence.
Where can the public verify the official signature of a notary? - ANSWERThe county
clerk's office.
When is authentication of a notary's signature obtained? - ANSWERWhen 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? - ANSWERFile a certificate of official character with other New
York state county clerks.
Which nonresidents may be allowed to be a notary in a state? - ANSWERAttorneys 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? - ANSWERThe 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? - ANSWERWithout 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? -
ANSWERDo 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? - ANSWERDo 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 - ANSWERGive 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 - ANSWERAsk for and
get legal business to send to a lawyer with whom they have any business connection
Where can a notary public file his autograph signature and certificate of official
character? - ANSWERIn the office of any county clerk of any county in the STate.
How much does it cost to submit a certificate of official character? - ANSWER$10 to the
State, $10 to the county clerk, $5 for each certificate issued to the county clerk.
What costs $3? - ANSWERCertification of notarial signatures.
Who cannot be a notary public? - ANSWERAny 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? -
ANSWERYes.
Who cannot be a notary public (2)? hint: army - ANSWERThose 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? -
ANSWERThey who have been designated from the county clerk's office.
Can a member of the legislature be appointed a notary public? - ANSWERYes.
Can sheriffs be notaries public? - ANSWERNo.
When are notaries disqualified to act? - ANSWERWhen they have an interest in the
case.
What can the signature and seal of a county clerk be? - ANSWERA facsimile, printed,
stamped, photographed or engraved.
QUESTIONS & CORRECT SOLUTIONS
Who are notaries public commissioned by? - ANSWERThe Secretary of State
To whom is an application submitted to become a notary public? - ANSWERThe
Division of Licensing Services.
How much is an application to become a notary public? - ANSWER$60.
What is included in the application to become a notary public? - ANSWERAn 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? - ANSWERA
pass slip indicating they have taken and passed the exam.
How long is the term of commission as a notary public? - ANSWER4 years
Where are notary publics commissioned? - ANSWERIn their counties of residence.
Where can the public verify the official signature of a notary? - ANSWERThe county
clerk's office.
When is authentication of a notary's signature obtained? - ANSWERWhen 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? - ANSWERFile a certificate of official character with other New
York state county clerks.
Which nonresidents may be allowed to be a notary in a state? - ANSWERAttorneys 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? - ANSWERThe 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? - ANSWERWithout 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? -
ANSWERDo 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? - ANSWERDo 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 - ANSWERGive 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 - ANSWERAsk for and
get legal business to send to a lawyer with whom they have any business connection
Where can a notary public file his autograph signature and certificate of official
character? - ANSWERIn the office of any county clerk of any county in the STate.
How much does it cost to submit a certificate of official character? - ANSWER$10 to the
State, $10 to the county clerk, $5 for each certificate issued to the county clerk.
What costs $3? - ANSWERCertification of notarial signatures.
Who cannot be a notary public? - ANSWERAny 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? -
ANSWERYes.
Who cannot be a notary public (2)? hint: army - ANSWERThose 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? -
ANSWERThey who have been designated from the county clerk's office.
Can a member of the legislature be appointed a notary public? - ANSWERYes.
Can sheriffs be notaries public? - ANSWERNo.
When are notaries disqualified to act? - ANSWERWhen they have an interest in the
case.
What can the signature and seal of a county clerk be? - ANSWERA facsimile, printed,
stamped, photographed or engraved.
