NEW YORK NOTARY PUBLIC EXAMINATION
ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL
REVISED ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE
UPDATE WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS –
ASSURES PASS
1. A New York notary public derives authority primarily from which source?
A. Local county clerk
B. New York State Executive Law
C. Federal statute
D. Judicial appointment
*Rationale: New York notaries are commissioned under the New York
Executive Law, which defines their powers, duties, and limitations.
2. The term of office for a New York notary public is:
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 6 years
*Rationale: New York notaries serve a four-year term from the date of
commission.
3. A notary public’s primary role in any notarial act is to:
A. Verify the truthfulness of a document’s contents
, B. Provide legal advice
C. Identify the signer and deter fraud
D. Guarantee enforceability of the document
*Rationale: The notary’s core function is identity verification and fraud
deterrence, not validating content or giving legal advice.
4. Which of the following is a required qualification to be commissioned as a
New York notary public?
A. U.S. citizenship
B. Law degree
C. Good moral character
D. Residency in New York City
*Rationale: Applicants must meet statutory requirements including age,
moral character, and eligibility; a law degree or NYC residency is not
required.
5. A notary public in New York may administer an oath for:
A. Only court filings
B. Only affidavits prepared by attorneys
C. Any lawful purpose requiring an oath or affirmation
D. Only documents recorded with the county clerk
, *Rationale: Notaries are authorized to administer oaths and affirmations for
lawful purposes.
6. Which identification is generally acceptable for a New York notary to
establish a signer’s identity?
A. Expired library card
B. Current government-issued photo ID
C. Verbal assurance from a friend
D. Business card
*Rationale: A current government-issued photo ID provides reliable
identification consistent with best practice.
7. A notary public may notarize a document for a spouse if:
A. The notary benefits financially
B. The document is a deed
C. The notary has no direct financial or beneficial interest
D. The spouse requests it in writing
*Rationale: New York law prohibits notarization where the notary has a
direct interest, not merely a familial relationship.
8. The official signature of a New York notary public must:
A. Match the signer’s signature
B. Be the same as the signature on file with the Secretary of State
, C. Be in block letters only
D. Include the notary’s commission number
*Rationale: Consistency with the signature on record is required to validate
notarial acts.
9. A jurat differs from an acknowledgment because a jurat:
A. Does not require personal appearance
B. Requires an oath or affirmation
C. Applies only to deeds
D. Verifies document accuracy
*Rationale: A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm the truthfulness of
the document.
10.A notary must refuse to notarize if:
A. The document is handwritten
B. The signer does not personally appear
C. The signer is elderly
D. The document is lengthy
*Rationale: Personal appearance before the notary is mandatory for all
notarial acts.
11.Which act is outside the lawful authority of a New York notary public?
A. Taking an acknowledgment
ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL
REVISED ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE
UPDATE WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS –
ASSURES PASS
1. A New York notary public derives authority primarily from which source?
A. Local county clerk
B. New York State Executive Law
C. Federal statute
D. Judicial appointment
*Rationale: New York notaries are commissioned under the New York
Executive Law, which defines their powers, duties, and limitations.
2. The term of office for a New York notary public is:
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 6 years
*Rationale: New York notaries serve a four-year term from the date of
commission.
3. A notary public’s primary role in any notarial act is to:
A. Verify the truthfulness of a document’s contents
, B. Provide legal advice
C. Identify the signer and deter fraud
D. Guarantee enforceability of the document
*Rationale: The notary’s core function is identity verification and fraud
deterrence, not validating content or giving legal advice.
4. Which of the following is a required qualification to be commissioned as a
New York notary public?
A. U.S. citizenship
B. Law degree
C. Good moral character
D. Residency in New York City
*Rationale: Applicants must meet statutory requirements including age,
moral character, and eligibility; a law degree or NYC residency is not
required.
5. A notary public in New York may administer an oath for:
A. Only court filings
B. Only affidavits prepared by attorneys
C. Any lawful purpose requiring an oath or affirmation
D. Only documents recorded with the county clerk
, *Rationale: Notaries are authorized to administer oaths and affirmations for
lawful purposes.
6. Which identification is generally acceptable for a New York notary to
establish a signer’s identity?
A. Expired library card
B. Current government-issued photo ID
C. Verbal assurance from a friend
D. Business card
*Rationale: A current government-issued photo ID provides reliable
identification consistent with best practice.
7. A notary public may notarize a document for a spouse if:
A. The notary benefits financially
B. The document is a deed
C. The notary has no direct financial or beneficial interest
D. The spouse requests it in writing
*Rationale: New York law prohibits notarization where the notary has a
direct interest, not merely a familial relationship.
8. The official signature of a New York notary public must:
A. Match the signer’s signature
B. Be the same as the signature on file with the Secretary of State
, C. Be in block letters only
D. Include the notary’s commission number
*Rationale: Consistency with the signature on record is required to validate
notarial acts.
9. A jurat differs from an acknowledgment because a jurat:
A. Does not require personal appearance
B. Requires an oath or affirmation
C. Applies only to deeds
D. Verifies document accuracy
*Rationale: A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm the truthfulness of
the document.
10.A notary must refuse to notarize if:
A. The document is handwritten
B. The signer does not personally appear
C. The signer is elderly
D. The document is lengthy
*Rationale: Personal appearance before the notary is mandatory for all
notarial acts.
11.Which act is outside the lawful authority of a New York notary public?
A. Taking an acknowledgment
