New York Notary Public Exam Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   Who appoints notaries public in New York?

   • AThe Secretary of State
   • BThe county judge
   • CThe state bar association
   • DThe governor's office
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The Secretary of State

   Executive Law section 130 gives the Secretary of State the power to appoint notaries public and set their commissions.

2. Question 2 of 25

   How long is a New York notary public commission?

   • AFor life
   • BFive years
   • CTwo years
   • DFour years
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Four years

   The Department of State says the term of a notary public commission is four years, and it must then be renewed.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which applicant meets the New York residence rule?

   • AA New Jersey resident who has a place of business in New York
   • BA Florida resident who visits New York for three months each summer
   • CAnyone who owns a phone with a New York area code
   • DA Connecticut resident with no New York office or job
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A New Jersey resident who has a place of business in New York

   An applicant must be a New York resident or have an office or place of business in New York State.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Which applicants may be appointed without taking the notary exam?

   • AAnyone with a college degree in law, business or public policy
   • BAnyone who has worked in a bank for a year
   • CNotaries from any other state
   • DAttorneys admitted in New York and certain court clerks
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Attorneys admitted in New York and certain court clerks

   The Department of State exempts New York attorneys and Unified Court System court clerks from the written exam.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Besides passing the exam, what must the Secretary of State be satisfied about?

   • AAt least five years of office work in New York State
   • BOwnership of real property in the county where they live
   • CA college degree in law, business or public administration
   • DGood moral character, schooling and knowing the duties
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Good moral character, schooling and knowing the duties

   Executive Law section 130 requires good moral character, an education equal to common school and familiarity with notary duties.

6. Question 6 of 25

   An applicant has a past criminal conviction. What does Executive Law section 130 say?

   • AThere are no criminal history rules for New York notaries
   • BAny conviction is ignored once five years have passed since the sentence
   • CThey may be appointed only if the Secretary of State finds it is no bar
   • DOnly convictions from courts in other states are considered
   Show answer

   Answer: C. They may be appointed only if the Secretary of State finds it is no bar

   Executive Law section 130 bars appointing a person convicted of a crime unless the Secretary of State makes a finding, under the Correction Law, that the conviction is not a bar.

7. Question 7 of 25

   A New York attorney has an office in New York but moves to an adjoining state. Can they keep their notary appointment?

   • ANo, they must resign the same day
   • BOnly if they pass the exam again
   • COnly for documents signed outside New York
   • DYes, the law allows it
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Yes, the law allows it

   Executive Law section 130 lets an attorney with a New York office keep the appointment while living in an adjoining state.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Which form must you complete and upload with your notary application?

   • AThe Oath of Office form
   • BA credit report
   • CA copy of your high school diploma
   • DA sworn letter from your employer
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The Oath of Office form

   Applicants download and complete the Oath of Office form (DOS-2201) and upload a scanned copy during the online application.

9. Question 9 of 25

   When you apply online, which two types of commission can you choose between?

   • ATraditional notary or electronic notary
   • BPaper notary or phone notary
   • CJunior notary or senior notary with more powers
   • DCounty notary or New York City notary
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Traditional notary or electronic notary

   The online application through NY Business Express lets you apply for either a traditional or an electronic notary commission.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What type of questions are on the New York notary exam?

    • ATrue or false only
    • BEssay questions only
    • CMultiple choice
    • DAn oral interview
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Multiple choice

    The Department of State's exam information says the notary public exam is multiple choice.

11. Question 11 of 25

    How long do you have to complete the New York notary exam?

    • ATwo hours
    • BThree hours
    • COne hour
    • D30 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: C. One hour

    Applicants are allowed one hour, and the time starts after the instructions have been given.

12. Question 12 of 25

    How are New York notary exam results reported?

    • AAs a letter grade
    • BAs a percentage score
    • CAs pass or fail, with no numerical score
    • DAs a ranking against other candidates that day
    Show answer

    Answer: C. As pass or fail, with no numerical score

    The Department of State reports results only as passed or failed and sends them by mail without a numerical score.

13. Question 13 of 25

    How long are New York notary exam results valid?

    • AOne year
    • BFour years
    • CTwo years
    • DSix months
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Two years

    The Department of State says notary exam results are valid for only two years, so apply within that time.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Do you need to pre-register for a New York notary exam session?

    • AYes, through the clerk of the county where you live
    • BNo, seats are first come, first served
    • CYes, online at least 90 days before the session
    • DYes, by mailing a request to the Department of State
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No, seats are first come, first served

    The exam schedule says no pre-registration is required and seats are filled in the order people arrive.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Which items may you bring to use during the exam?

    • AThe Notary Public License Law booklet and notes
    • BYour own study notes
    • CTwo number 2 pencils and your photo ID
    • DA dictionary
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Two number 2 pencils and your photo ID

    The Department of State tells candidates to bring a government photo ID with a signature and two number 2 pencils, because pencils are not provided.

16. Question 16 of 25

    You have a learning disability. What can you ask for before the exam?

    • AA shorter commission
    • BSpecial testing arrangements
    • CA take-home version of the exam
    • DAn exemption from the exam
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Special testing arrangements

    The Department of State offers a Special Testing Arrangements Request for applicants with a learning, physical, mental or psychological disability.

17. Question 17 of 25

    After your appointment, what does the Secretary of State send to your county clerk?

    • AYour application details and your signature
    • BYour bank records and credit report
    • CA list of the clients you plan to serve
    • DYour exam answer sheet and a copy of your pass slip
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Your application details and your signature

    The Department of State gives the county clerk your application information and signature so the clerk can record them.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which county clerk receives your commission records?

    • AThe clerk of the county where you live
    • BThe clerk where your exam was held
    • CThe clerk of any county you choose each year
    • DThe clerk in Albany for every notary
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The clerk of the county where you live

    Executive Law section 131 sends the records to the county clerk of the county in which the notary resides.

19. Question 19 of 25

    A document you notarized will be used in another state. Who can certify your signature and authority?

    • AYour employer
    • BAny other notary
    • CThe county clerk
    • DThe person who signed the document
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The county clerk

    Under Executive Law section 133, a county clerk can certify that the notary was authorized and that the signature is genuine.

20. Question 20 of 25

    You often sign documents filed in a different county. What may you file with that county's clerk?

    • AA second oath of office for that county
    • BA new exam pass slip
    • CA copy of your driver license
    • DA certificate of official character
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A certificate of official character

    Executive Law section 132 lets a notary file a certificate of official character with the clerk of any other county.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Where in New York can a notary take an acknowledgment?

    • AOnly in the county where they live
    • BAnywhere in the state
    • COnly in the county where they took the exam
    • DOnly in their employer's office
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Anywhere in the state

    Real Property Law section 298 allows acknowledgments to be taken at any place within the state before a notary.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which act is a New York notary allowed to perform?

    • AGrant a divorce
    • BPerform a marriage ceremony
    • CTake an affidavit
    • DIssue a birth certificate
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Take an affidavit

    Executive Law section 135 lets a notary administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and depositions, and take acknowledgments.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Can a New York notary public perform a wedding because they are a notary?

    • AYes, but only in the county where they live
    • BYes, if both people are over 21
    • CYes, any notary can perform a wedding
    • DNo, notaries cannot solemnize marriages
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No, notaries cannot solemnize marriages

    The booklet notes under Domestic Relations Law section 11 that a notary public has no power to solemnize a marriage.

24. Question 24 of 25

    A bank opens a safe deposit box because the rent was not paid. What is the notary's role?

    • ASign the box rental agreement
    • BSell the contents for the bank
    • CBe present and file a certificate listing the contents
    • DDecide who owns the contents and tell the bank in writing
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Be present and file a certificate listing the contents

    Under Banking Law section 335, the box is opened in a notary's presence and the notary files a certificate with the date, name and contents.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Which task involving bills and notes can a New York notary perform?

    • ACash them for the holder at the holder's bank
    • BProtest them for non-acceptance or non-payment
    • CCancel the debt once the holder agrees in writing
    • DChange the amount owed
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Protest them for non-acceptance or non-payment

    Executive Law section 135 includes the power to demand acceptance or payment of bills and notes and to protest them.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: Pass or fail only. The Department of State does not publish a numerical pass mark or give a score.