NYS NOTARY PUBLIC COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATION 2026/2027 | VERIFIED
QUESTIONS
SECTION A: APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATIONS, TERM, AND JURISDICTION
(Questions 1–25)
1. What is the official term of office for a notary public commissioned in New York
State?
• A. Two years
• B. Three years
• C. Four years
• D. Five years
Correct Answer: C (Four years).
Rationale: Under New York Executive Law § 130, the appointment of a notary
public shall be for a term of four years.
2. Which official appoints and commissions Notaries Public in New York State?
• A. The Governor
• B. The County Clerk
• C. The Secretary of State
• D. The Attorney General
Correct Answer: C (The Secretary of State).
Rationale: The Secretary of State has the authority to appoint and commission
,notaries public for the state of New York pursuant to Executive Law § 130 and §
131.
3. What is the minimum age requirement to qualify for appointment as a notary
public in New York State?
• A. 16 years old
• B. 18 years old
• C. 21 years old
• D. 25 years old
Correct Answer: B (18 years old).
Rationale: An applicant must be at least 18 years old to be appointed as a
notary public in New York State.
4. Which of the following is NOT a requirement to become a Notary Public in New
York?
• A. Be a citizen of the United States
• B. Be a resident of New York State or have an office or place of business in
New York State
• C. Have a college degree
• D. Pass the New York State Notary Public Examination
Correct Answer: C (Have a college degree).
Rationale: There is no educational degree requirement to become a notary
public in New York. The requirements are: U.S. citizenship, residency or office in
NYS, passage of the exam, and no disqualifying criminal convictions.
,5. An applicant for a notary public commission must submit an original application
and what fee to the Division of Licensing Services?
• A. $30
• B. $45
• C. $60
• D. $100
**Correct Answer: C ($60).**
**Rationale:** An applicant must submit an original application and a $60 fee
to the Division of Licensing Services.
6. How long are examination results valid for a Notary Public applicant?
• A. One year
• B. Two years
• C. Three years
• D. Four years
Correct Answer: B (Two years).
Rationale: Examination results are only valid for a period of two years from
the date of the exam.
7. If a Notary Public moves to another state but still works in New York State, what
is their status?
• A. They will pay an additional $15 out-of-state fee
• B. They are no longer qualified
• C. They must get a NY driver's license
• D. They are still a qualified non-resident
, Correct Answer: D (They are still a qualified non-resident).
Rationale: A notary public must be a resident of New York State OR have an
office or place of business in New York State. A person who moves out of state but
maintains a place of business in NYS remains qualified as a non-resident notary.
8. Which of the following persons is exempt from taking the New York Notary
Public Examination?
• A. A real estate agent
• B. A licensed attorney
• C. A bank employee
• D. A paralegal
Correct Answer: B (A licensed attorney).
Rationale: If you are a licensed lawyer, you do not need to take the exam to
become a notary public in New York State.
9. A notary public commissioned in New York State is asked to notarize a
document that will be filed in a federal court in another state. The signer is
physically present in New York. Under NYS law, which statement best describes
the notary's authority?
• A. The notary may perform the notarization because the act occurs within
NYS boundaries, regardless of the document's destination.
• B. The notary may perform the notarization only if the document is also
filed with a NYS court.
• C. The notary may not perform the notarization because federal courts
require a notary from the state where the court is located.
• D. The notary may perform the notarization only if the signer is a New York
State resident.
EXAMINATION 2026/2027 | VERIFIED
QUESTIONS
SECTION A: APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATIONS, TERM, AND JURISDICTION
(Questions 1–25)
1. What is the official term of office for a notary public commissioned in New York
State?
• A. Two years
• B. Three years
• C. Four years
• D. Five years
Correct Answer: C (Four years).
Rationale: Under New York Executive Law § 130, the appointment of a notary
public shall be for a term of four years.
2. Which official appoints and commissions Notaries Public in New York State?
• A. The Governor
• B. The County Clerk
• C. The Secretary of State
• D. The Attorney General
Correct Answer: C (The Secretary of State).
Rationale: The Secretary of State has the authority to appoint and commission
,notaries public for the state of New York pursuant to Executive Law § 130 and §
131.
3. What is the minimum age requirement to qualify for appointment as a notary
public in New York State?
• A. 16 years old
• B. 18 years old
• C. 21 years old
• D. 25 years old
Correct Answer: B (18 years old).
Rationale: An applicant must be at least 18 years old to be appointed as a
notary public in New York State.
4. Which of the following is NOT a requirement to become a Notary Public in New
York?
• A. Be a citizen of the United States
• B. Be a resident of New York State or have an office or place of business in
New York State
• C. Have a college degree
• D. Pass the New York State Notary Public Examination
Correct Answer: C (Have a college degree).
Rationale: There is no educational degree requirement to become a notary
public in New York. The requirements are: U.S. citizenship, residency or office in
NYS, passage of the exam, and no disqualifying criminal convictions.
,5. An applicant for a notary public commission must submit an original application
and what fee to the Division of Licensing Services?
• A. $30
• B. $45
• C. $60
• D. $100
**Correct Answer: C ($60).**
**Rationale:** An applicant must submit an original application and a $60 fee
to the Division of Licensing Services.
6. How long are examination results valid for a Notary Public applicant?
• A. One year
• B. Two years
• C. Three years
• D. Four years
Correct Answer: B (Two years).
Rationale: Examination results are only valid for a period of two years from
the date of the exam.
7. If a Notary Public moves to another state but still works in New York State, what
is their status?
• A. They will pay an additional $15 out-of-state fee
• B. They are no longer qualified
• C. They must get a NY driver's license
• D. They are still a qualified non-resident
, Correct Answer: D (They are still a qualified non-resident).
Rationale: A notary public must be a resident of New York State OR have an
office or place of business in New York State. A person who moves out of state but
maintains a place of business in NYS remains qualified as a non-resident notary.
8. Which of the following persons is exempt from taking the New York Notary
Public Examination?
• A. A real estate agent
• B. A licensed attorney
• C. A bank employee
• D. A paralegal
Correct Answer: B (A licensed attorney).
Rationale: If you are a licensed lawyer, you do not need to take the exam to
become a notary public in New York State.
9. A notary public commissioned in New York State is asked to notarize a
document that will be filed in a federal court in another state. The signer is
physically present in New York. Under NYS law, which statement best describes
the notary's authority?
• A. The notary may perform the notarization because the act occurs within
NYS boundaries, regardless of the document's destination.
• B. The notary may perform the notarization only if the document is also
filed with a NYS court.
• C. The notary may not perform the notarization because federal courts
require a notary from the state where the court is located.
• D. The notary may perform the notarization only if the signer is a New York
State resident.
