I85PREP
⌘ K
NY Notary study materials
NY Notary study resources

NY Notary practice questions

One question at a time. Build your NY Notary understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Which official is authorized to appoint notaries public in New York State?

  1. The Governor
  2. The county clerk of the county where the notary resides
  3. The Secretary of State Correct answer.
  4. The Attorney General

Explanation

The statutory power to appoint and commission notaries public belongs to the Secretary of State, whose office issues the commission and maintains the records of appointment. No local official or court participates in the decision to appoint.

Question 2General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

How long is a New York notary public's term of office?

  1. Five years for a first-term notary
  2. Ten years
  3. Four years Correct answer.
  4. Two years

Explanation

A notary public is commissioned for a four-year term running from the appointment. Continued service after that point depends on a new appointment rather than an automatic extension.

Question 3General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

What is the minimum age for a person to be appointed a New York notary public?

  1. Sixteen years
  2. Eighteen years Correct answer.
  3. Seventeen years
  4. Twenty-one years

Explanation

An applicant must have reached the age of eighteen at the time of appointment, and there is no upper age limit. Age is reviewed together with citizenship and English literacy.

Question 4General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Which qualification does New York impose on every applicant for a notary commission?

  1. Holding a four-year college degree
  2. Having at least two years of office experience
  3. Being at least eighteen years old Correct answer.
  4. Owning real property in the state

Explanation

New York requires a notary applicant to be at least eighteen years old. U.S. citizenship is not a universal requirement because eligible permanent resident aliens may apply. A college degree, prior office experience, and ownership of real property are not universal qualifications.

Question 5General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Which statement about surety bonds for New York notaries public is accurate?

  1. No surety bond is required by New York law Correct answer.
  2. A bond is required only for notaries who live out of state
  3. A bond of one thousand dollars must be filed with the county clerk
  4. A bond is required only for notaries who charge fees

Explanation

New York does not condition a notary commission on posting a surety bond. Misconduct is addressed through the commission itself, which the Secretary of State may revoke.

Question 6General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Which step must a person take to obtain a New York notary commission?

  1. Complete a state-approved training course
  2. Pass a written examination given by the Department of State
  3. Obtain a sponsorship letter from a practicing attorney
  4. File an application with the Secretary of State Correct answer.

Explanation

New York administers no notary examination and mandates no pre-appointment training; the applicant submits the prescribed application and fee to the Secretary of State. No sponsor or endorser is needed.

Question 7General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

What is the application fee for a New York notary commission?

  1. $10
  2. $60 Correct answer.
  3. $30
  4. $100

Explanation

The Department of State charges a $60 application fee, which is separate from the fee later paid to the county clerk for filing the oath of office. Processing does not begin until the fee is received.

Question 8General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

After appointment, where must a notary public file the oath of office?

  1. The clerk of the county in which the notary resides Correct answer.
  2. The office of the State Comptroller
  3. The town clerk of the municipality where the notary votes
  4. The Secretary of State's office in the city of Albany

Explanation

The executed oath is filed with the clerk of the county where the notary resides, and the clerk preserves it as a public record. The Secretary of State issues the commission but does not receive the filed oath.

Question 9General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Within how many days after appointment must a new notary take and file the oath of office?

  1. Thirty days Correct answer.
  2. Twenty days
  3. Ten days
  4. Sixty days

Explanation

The oath must be taken and filed within thirty days after the date of appointment. Filing after that window does not cure the defect, and the appointment fails.

Question 10General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

What fee does the county clerk charge for filing a notary's oath of office?

  1. $50
  2. $10 Correct answer.
  3. $5
  4. $25

Explanation

The county clerk collects a $10 fee when the oath is filed. That charge is separate from the $60 application fee paid to the Department of State.

Question 11General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

How long must an applicant have lived in New York before being appointed a notary public?

  1. Six months of residence in the county
  2. Two years of residence in New York
  3. One year of continuous residence in the state
  4. No minimum period applies Correct answer.

Explanation

New York requires present residency or a New York place of business, but it imposes no durational residency requirement. A person who has just moved to the state may apply at once if the other qualifications are met.

Question 12General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A person who lives outside New York may be appointed a notary public only if the person

  1. has a place of business in New York Correct answer.
  2. owns a home in New York
  3. holds a New York driver license
  4. is registered to vote in New York

Explanation

A nonresident applicant must maintain a place of business in New York and must come from a state that extends similar privileges to New York residents. Home ownership, voting status, and licensing are not the test.

Question 13General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

New York law requires every notary applicant to be able to

  1. speak in public without notes
  2. read and write English Correct answer.
  3. write in two languages
  4. type forty words per minute

Explanation

English literacy is a statutory qualification, reflecting the notary's duty to understand documents and administer oaths in English. Bilingual ability and clerical speed are not required.

Question 14General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

The oath of office taken by a new notary public includes a pledge to

  1. file detailed annual reports with the State Comptroller each year
  2. maintain a business office in the county of appointment
  3. support the constitutions of the United States and New York Correct answer.
  4. keep a surety bond in force for the entire term

Explanation

Notaries take the constitutional oath, promising to support the federal and state constitutions and to faithfully discharge the duties of the office. Reporting, bonding, and office requirements are not part of that oath.

Question 15General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A notary who lives in New York moves to Connecticut and keeps no New York place of business. As a result, the commission

  1. converts automatically to a nonresident commission
  2. is extended by the Secretary of State for one year
  3. becomes void for loss of a required qualification Correct answer.
  4. stays in force until its stated expiration date

Explanation

A New York commission rests on continued residency or a New York place of business. Losing both means the holder no longer qualifies, and the office does not survive until the printed expiration date.

Question 16General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Which official may revoke a New York notary's commission for misconduct?

  1. The Governor
  2. The county clerk
  3. The chief judge of the county
  4. The Secretary of State Correct answer.

Explanation

Because the Secretary of State grants the commission, that office also holds the authority to revoke or suspend it for misconduct. County clerks and judges have no power over the commission itself.

Question 17General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Which ongoing obligation must a New York notary satisfy to keep the commission in force?

  1. Submitting quarterly notarial logs to the state
  2. Passing a refresher examination every four years
  3. Completing continuing education each renewal cycle
  4. Renewing the commission before the term expires Correct answer.

Explanation

New York imposes no continuing education, refresher examination, or periodic reporting requirement on notaries. The essential ongoing obligation is to obtain reappointment before the four-year term runs out.

Question 18General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

When a notary's four-year term ends, continued service requires that the notary

  1. apply again and take and file the oath of office Correct answer.
  2. pay only the county clerk's filing fee and nothing more
  3. submit a letter of reference from two local attorneys
  4. notify the Secretary of State by telephone

Explanation

Reappointment is a fresh appointment: the notary submits a new application and fee and again takes and files the oath of office with the county clerk. Nothing about a commission renews automatically.

Question 19General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A newly appointed notary public may perform a notarial act for the first time

  1. when the application fee has reached the state
  2. once the printed commission is delivered
  3. as soon as the application is mailed
  4. after taking and filing the oath of office Correct answer.

Explanation

The commission does not authorize notarial acts until the oath has been taken and filed with the county clerk within the thirty-day window. Acting before that step is unauthorized.

Question 20General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

May a New York notary public charge a fee for notarizing a signature?

  1. Only with written permission from the county clerk
  2. Only when the signer lives out of state
  3. Yes, up to a maximum amount set by statute Correct answer.
  4. No; notarial services must always be free

Explanation

A notary may charge for notarial services, but never more than the statutory maximum. Many notaries, such as those employed by banks or law offices, waive the fee entirely.

Question 21General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A nonresident applicant's home state must

  1. charge no fees for issuing notary commissions
  2. allow New York residents to be appointed notaries there Correct answer.
  3. be a member of a multistate notary licensing compact program
  4. have a population above one million residents

Explanation

Reciprocity is built into the nonresident rule: the applicant's home state must permit New York residents to hold notary commissions there, and the applicant must also maintain a New York place of business. Fee schedules and population play no role.

Question 22General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A person appointed as a notary who never takes and files the oath of office within thirty days finds that the appointment

  1. remains valid, but no fee may be charged
  2. is automatically extended for another thirty days
  3. is void and the person must seek appointment anew Correct answer.
  4. takes effect once the first notarial act has been performed

Explanation

Timely filing of the oath is a condition of qualifying for the office. When the thirty days pass without a filed oath, the appointment is ineffective and the person must begin the application process again.

Question 23General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Which is a ground on which the Secretary of State may revoke a notary's commission?

  1. Performing an acknowledgment for a cousin
  2. Making a false statement on the application Correct answer.
  3. Declining a request made after business hours
  4. Charging the maximum permitted fee

Explanation

Misconduct such as fraud, dishonesty, or a material false statement in the application can cost a notary the commission. Notarizing for a relative is not prohibited, and no notary must act at whatever hour a request is made.

Question 24General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A New York notary travels to Connecticut and notarizes a signature while there. The act is

  1. valid, if the notary files a travel notice afterwards
  2. invalid, because a notary's authority is territorial Correct answer.
  3. valid, because a New York commission is statewide
  4. valid, if the person signing is a New York resident

Explanation

A New York commission authorizes notarial acts performed within New York State, not beyond its borders. A signature notarized while the notary was physically in Connecticut is not a valid New York notarial act.

Question 25General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A notary's commission expires on June 30. On July 2, before being reappointed, the notary notarizes a signature. The notarial act is

  1. void, because the commission had already expired Correct answer.
  2. valid, because the notary's renewal application was pending
  3. voidable at the signer's election
  4. valid, if the oath is filed within thirty days

Explanation

Authority to notarize ends when the commission expires, and a pending application does not extend it. An act performed without a valid commission is void, so the document must be notarized again by someone holding a current commission.

Question 26General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A New York notary public's authority to perform notarial acts generally extends to which area?

  1. Only the city or town where the notary resides
  2. Any state in the United States
  3. Only the county named in the commission
  4. Throughout New York State Correct answer.

Explanation

A New York notary commission is statewide, so the notary may generally perform notarial acts anywhere in New York. The commission is not limited to the notary's county, city, or town.

Question 27General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Before appointment, must a New York notary applicant who does not qualify for an examination exemption pass a state-administered written examination?

  1. Yes, a Department of State notary exam Correct answer.
  2. Yes, a county clerk examination
  3. No, no notary examination is required
  4. Yes, but only for nonresident applicants

Explanation

A New York notary applicant who is not exempt must pass the Department of State notary public examination. The state recognizes specified exemptions, including qualifying New York attorneys and certain court clerks, but those exemptions do not eliminate the general examination requirement.

Question 28General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Which state official appoints notaries public in New York?

  1. The Governor of New York
  2. The Attorney General of New York
  3. The Secretary of State Correct answer.
  4. The county clerk for the applicant's county

Explanation

The Secretary of State has the authority to appoint notaries public in New York. County clerks handle oath filing, but they do not make the appointment.

Question 29General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

What bond or surety must a New York notary public post before performing notarial acts?

  1. A $1,000 bond filed with the county clerk
  2. A bond equal to the statutory fee schedule
  3. A $5,000 bond filed with the Secretary of State
  4. No bond is required Correct answer.

Explanation

New York does not require notaries public to post a bond or surety before performing notarial acts. The appointment process instead centers on the application, oath, and filing requirements.

Question 30General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A notary public is asked to notarize a signature on a document that the notary personally signed as a party. What should the notary do?

  1. Notarize it after writing a note about the relationship
  2. Notarize it if an unrelated witness also signs
  3. Decline; a notary cannot notarize their own signature Correct answer.
  4. Notarize it only when the document is not a real estate document

Explanation

A notary public may not notarize the notary's own signature. The notary should decline and, if appropriate, direct the signer to another notary.

Question 31General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Which act is a New York notary public authorized to perform?

  1. Give legal advice about a contract
  2. Prepare a will for a client
  3. Certify a copy of a birth certificate for a client
  4. Administer an oath and take an affidavit Correct answer.

Explanation

A New York notary public is authorized to administer oaths and take affidavits, among other notarial acts. Preparing wills, giving legal advice, and certifying vital-record copies are not notarial powers.

Question 32General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A client asks a nonattorney notary public to explain the legal effect of a deed before signing. What is the notary's proper response?

  1. Explain the deed because notaries may interpret real estate documents
  2. Explain the deed only if no fee is charged
  3. Decline to explain and refer the client to an attorney Correct answer.
  4. Explain the deed after adding a disclaimer to the certificate

Explanation

A nonattorney notary public may not give legal advice or explain the legal effect of a document. The notary should decline and refer the client to an attorney.

Question 33General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Does New York law require a notary public to keep a journal of every notarial act?

  1. Yes, but only for nonresident notaries
  2. Yes, a bound journal must be filed with the county clerk
  3. No, a journal is not required Correct answer.
  4. Yes, but only for acknowledgments

Explanation

New York does not generally require a notary public to keep a journal of notarial acts. A notary may keep records for business reasons, but it is not a statewide statutory duty for ordinary notarizations.

Question 34General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A notary public is uncomfortable notarizing a document because the signer cannot produce acceptable identification. What may the notary do?

  1. Notarize using the notary's own identification
  2. Must notarize if the signer appears to be an adult
  3. Refuse to perform the notarial act Correct answer.
  4. Notarize and write 'identification not verified' on the certificate

Explanation

A notary may refuse to perform a notarial act when satisfactory identification is not provided. The notary should not use the notary's own identification or falsely note that identification was not verified.

Question 35General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

May a New York notary public notarize a signature for a sibling if the notary can properly verify identity and the sibling is not the notary?

  1. Yes, with normal identification and presence checks Correct answer.
  2. No, notaries may never notarize for relatives
  3. Yes, but only if another notary also signs the certificate
  4. No, notaries may notarize for relatives only outside their county

Explanation

New York law does not generally prohibit a notary from notarizing for a relative. The notary must still comply with normal identification and personal-appearance requirements.

Question 36General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

Which item must appear on a New York notary public's official stamp?

  1. The notary's home address
  2. The notary's date of birth
  3. The commission expiration date Correct answer.
  4. The notary's Social Security number

Explanation

A New York notary's official stamp must include specified information such as the notary's name, the notary public designation, the county, and the commission expiration date. Personal identifiers such as a Social Security number or date of birth are not required.

Question 37General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

An applicant is 18, lives in Buffalo, reads and writes English, and is a lawful permanent resident but not a U.S. citizen. Is the applicant disqualified from appointment solely because of citizenship?

  1. Yes; only United States citizens may be appointed
  2. No; but only if the applicant files an extra bond
  3. Yes; the applicant must first become a naturalized citizen
  4. No; citizenship is not a required qualification Correct answer.

Explanation

New York's notary qualifications include age, residency or a place of business, and English literacy, but not U.S. citizenship. A lawful permanent resident who otherwise qualifies is not disqualified solely for lacking citizenship.

Question 38General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A busy notary public asks an assistant to sign the notary's name to routine certificates. Is this permitted?

  1. Yes, if the notary reviews the certificates later
  2. Yes, if the assistant is also a notary public
  3. No, the notary must personally sign Correct answer.
  4. Yes, for documents other than real estate instruments

Explanation

A notary commission is personal, and the notary must personally perform and sign the notarial act. An assistant may not sign the notary's name, even if the assistant is also a notary.

Question 39General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A signer asks a notary to add 'I certify this document is true and accurate' to the notarial certificate. What is the notary's proper action?

  1. Add the wording only if the signer swears it is true
  2. Decline; notaries do not certify a document's truth Correct answer.
  3. Add the wording because notaries may certify accuracy
  4. Add the wording and have the signer initial the change

Explanation

A notarial certificate verifies the signer's appearance, identity, and acknowledgment or oath; it does not certify the truth or accuracy of the document's contents. The notary should decline to add that language.

Question 40General Provisions and Qualifications for Appointment

A New York notary public is appointed to a new commission. How long does that commission ordinarily run before the notary must seek reappointment?

  1. Five years
  2. Four years Correct answer.
  3. Three years
  4. Two years

Explanation

A notary public commissioned in New York ordinarily holds office for a four-year term. The notary may perform notarial acts during that term and must be reappointed to continue after it expires.

Question 41Powers and Duties of Notaries Public (oaths, affirmations, affidavits, depositions)

Which of these tasks may a New York notary public perform in an official capacity?

  1. Certifying that a person holds clear title to real estate
  2. Administering an oath to an affiant Correct answer.
  3. Representing a client at a court hearing
  4. Giving legal advice about an affidavit's wording

Explanation

New York notaries are empowered by law to administer oaths and affirmations and to take affidavits and depositions. That authority is limited to notarial acts and does not extend to the practice of law or to certifying title.

Question 42Powers and Duties of Notaries Public (oaths, affirmations, affidavits, depositions)

An affirmation administered by a notary has which legal effect?

  1. It creates a moral duty only and carries no legal force
  2. It has the same force and effect as an oath Correct answer.
  3. It requires the affiant to mention a deity by name
  4. It is valid only when given inside a courtroom

Explanation

An affirmation is a solemn declaration made by a person who declines to swear an oath, frequently for religious reasons. New York law gives an affirmation the same force and effect as an oath, so the penalties for false swearing apply equally.

Question 43Powers and Duties of Notaries Public (oaths, affirmations, affidavits, depositions)

Which statement best defines an affidavit?

  1. A written statement of facts sworn to before an officer Correct answer.
  2. A verbal promise that a notary records in a journal
  3. A court order directing a witness to appear
  4. A formal complaint that an attorney files to start a lawsuit

Explanation

An affidavit is a written statement of facts that the affiant signs and swears or affirms to be true before a person authorized to administer an oath, such as a notary. The notary's certificate records that the oath was actually given.

Question 44Powers and Duties of Notaries Public (oaths, affirmations, affidavits, depositions)

A jurat on a document establishes which of the following?

  1. That the signer was sworn and signed before the notary Correct answer.
  2. That a copy conforms to the original document
  3. That the signer is personally known to the notary to be of legal age
  4. That the document has been filed with the county clerk

Explanation

A jurat is the notary's certificate that the affiant personally appeared, was sworn or affirmed, and signed the document in the notary's presence. It is the record proving that an oath was administered.

Question 45Powers and Duties of Notaries Public (oaths, affirmations, affidavits, depositions)

A notary public commissioned in Erie County administers an oath. Where may the notary lawfully perform that act?

  1. Only inside Erie County
  2. Anywhere in the United States
  3. Only at the notary's regular place of business
  4. Anywhere within New York State Correct answer.

Explanation

A New York notary's commission runs statewide, so the notary may act in any county, not merely the county named in the commission. The authority stops at New York's borders.

Question 46Powers and Duties of Notaries Public (oaths, affirmations, affidavits, depositions)

A notary public is asked to notarize her own signature on an affidavit she has signed. What does New York law allow?

  1. It is allowed if she notes on the certificate that she is the affiant
  2. Prohibited; a notary cannot take her own affidavit Correct answer.
  3. It is allowed for financial statements only
  4. It is allowed if a second witness also signs

Explanation

A notary cannot administer an oath to herself or take her own affidavit, because the notary would be certifying an act performed for her own benefit. The same conflict principle bars notarizing a document in which the notary has an interest.

Question 47Powers and Duties of Notaries Public (oaths, affirmations, affidavits, depositions)

What must a notary do to administer an oath properly?

  1. Ask the affiant to swear or affirm the statement Correct answer.
  2. Affix an official stamp to each page of the affidavit
  3. Keep a copy of the affidavit for five years
  4. Have a second witness observe the signing

Explanation

Administering an oath requires the notary to put the question to the affiant and receive an affirmative response, so the affiant understands the statement is made under oath. Stamping, copying, or watching a signature does not by itself constitute administering an oath.

Question 48Powers and Duties of Notaries Public (oaths, affirmations, affidavits, depositions)

Before swearing an affiant, a notary should confirm that the person:

  1. Owns property in New York State
  2. Is a United States citizen
  3. Appears to understand the oath and act freely Correct answer.
  4. Has read every page of the attached exhibits carefully

Explanation

The notary must be satisfied that the affiant understands the nature of the oath and is acting voluntarily, and must also identify the affiant. Citizenship, property ownership, and familiarity with exhibits play no part in the decision.

Question 49Powers and Duties of Notaries Public (oaths, affirmations, affidavits, depositions)

An affiant mails a signed affidavit to a notary and asks the notary to add a jurat and return it. What should the notary do?

  1. Have an employee sign the jurat on the notary's behalf
  2. Sign the jurat if the signature matches other documents
  3. Sign the jurat after confirming identity by telephone
  4. Decline, since the affiant must appear in person Correct answer.

Explanation

A jurat can be completed only when the affiant appears personally before the notary, is sworn, and signs in the notary's presence. A mailed document cannot be sworn to, however genuine the signature appears.

Question 50Powers and Duties of Notaries Public (oaths, affirmations, affidavits, depositions)

A signer tells the notary, "I do not swear oaths for religious reasons." What should the notary do?

  1. Ask the signer to return with a witness who will swear for her
  2. Administer an affirmation instead of an oath Correct answer.
  3. Refuse to proceed because an oath is required
  4. Note the objection and leave the certificate blank

Explanation

A person who declines to swear for religious or conscientious reasons may affirm, and an affirmation carries the same legal effect as an oath. The notary simply administers the affirmation and completes the certificate accordingly.