To become a notary in New York, you will need to meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old on the application date. 
• Have the equivalent of a common school education.
• Be a citizen or legal permanent resident in the United States. 
• Live in the state of New York or have a place of business in New York. 
• Be a person of good moral character.
• Not have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors in New York or any other state or territory. 
• Pass the Notary Public Examination. 

There are a few costs you will need to cover before becoming a notary in the state of New York. This includes: 

• A $60 application fee.
• $15 to take the written exam. 
• $95 for an annual background screening at the office of the court. 
• $65 (on average) for optional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.

These fees must only be paid via check or money order. If a check is returned by your bank, you will be charged a $20 penalty.

You may decide to enroll in a notary training course or purchase stamps and a notary journal. These costs will depend on the vendor you choose.

To become a New York notary, you will need to complete the following steps: 

• Fulfill the state’s eligibility requirements. 
• Study New York’s Notary Public License Law. 
• Pass the one-hour, NYS Notary Public Examination with a score of at least 70%.
• Receive a test pass slip in the mail. 
• Complete the state’s application and include a notarized oath of office. 
• Submit your application with a $60 fee and your official test pass slip. 
• Receive an identification card from the New York state department. 

It will take about four to six weeks for your notary application to be processed and approved. 

However, the entire process may take longer depending on how much time you need to study and pass the New York state notary examination.

You will need to send your notary application to the NYS department, Division of Licensing Services in Albany. 

Once the secretary of state approves your notary application, your commission, oath and signature will be sent to the county clerk to authorize your commission. 

If you need to get in touch with the secretary of state, you can find their contact details on the official website.

As stipulated by Executive Law, notaries are only allowed to charge a maximum of $2 for their notarial acts. This includes:

• Oaths or affirmations.
• Swearing a witness.
• Acknowledgements.
• Jurats.
• Protests.

It’s also important to note that a notary may not charge a fee for administering an oath of office to any military or public officer.

The notary exam in the state of New York is considered to be one of the most challenging. This is because applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%.

However, with the right preparation and practice exams, you’ll feel more confident that you’ve covered everything you need to know in order to pass on your first try.

If you want to become a notary in New York, you will need to pass an annual background check to ensure that you don’t have a criminal record. This costs approximately $95 at the office of court administration.

There are 40 questions on the New York notary exam. They are multiple-choice and will need to be completed in one hour.

Non-residents can become notaries in New York as long as they meet the state’s requirements or have a place of business in the state.

If your name or address changes, you will need to notify the Division of Licensing Services of the change, complete a Change Notice form and submit a $10 fee. 

Once it’s received, the division will correct the public record to your updated address or name. 

You will be allowed to continue using your former name until your commission expires. 

If you need to change your name on your current commission, you will need to submit the following as proof:

• A marriage certificate.
• A driver’s license. 
• A valid U.S. passport.

Prospective notaries in New York don’t need to complete any specific training courses. All you need to do is study and understand the Notary Public License Law. 

Although you don’t need to complete a notary education program, doing so can help you prepare more effectively for the exam. 

Many of these courses can help you get a better idea of what will be asked on the notary exam, as well as provide you with tips to ensure a passing score.