For Notaries · New York
How to Become a Notary in New York
To become a notary in New York, be at least 18, a New York resident or have a New York business, and of good moral character. Pass the $15 state written exam (attorneys and court clerks are exempt), then file your application with a $60 fee to the Department of State. No bond is required; commissions last four years.
Need a document notarized instead? This guide covers becoming a commissioned notary in New York. If you are looking for a notary today, compare where to get a document notarized in New York or notarize it online in minutes.
Last updated: July 9, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
New York commissions notaries through the Department of State's Division of Licensing Services, and its process stands out from many states: there is a mandatory written exam but no surety bond. After passing the $15 exam at an approved test center, you file an application with a $60 fee for a four-year commission. New York attorneys and Unified Court System court clerks skip the exam entirely. Since February 1, 2023, commissioned New York notaries can also register as Electronic Notaries to perform remote online notarizations.
New York Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | Be a resident of New York State (or maintain an office or place of business in New York), at least 18 years old, of good moral character, with the equivalent of a common-school education and enough English proficiency to understand notary duties and pass the exam. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | Not required. New York does not require a notary public to post a surety bond. |
| State filing fee | $60 initial application fee (plus the $15 exam fee) |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Notary education | No state-approved training course is mandated. New York expects the equivalent of a common-school education, but the real gate is passing the written state exam (unless you qualify for an exemption). |
| Exam | Required. Applicants must pass a $15 proctored written examination administered in paper format at approved test centers. New York attorneys and court clerks of the Unified Court System are exempt. |
New York charges $15 for the written notary public examination and a $60 initial application fee; commissions run four years, and no surety bond is required. — New York Department of State — Become a Notary Public
How to Become a Notary in New York: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
Be at least 18, a New York resident or have a place of business in New York, and of good moral character with the equivalent of a common-school education.
- 2
Register for and pass the $15 written exam
Sign up for the New York State notary public examination ($15) and pass it at an approved test center. New York attorneys and Unified Court System court clerks are exempt and can skip this step.
- 3
Submit your application and $60 fee
Complete the notary public application, attach your exam pass slip, and file it with the $60 fee to the New York Department of State's Division of Licensing Services.
- 4
Receive your commission and file with the county clerk
Once approved, the Secretary of State issues a four-year commission. Your commission and signature are filed with your county clerk, where the public can verify your authority to notarize.
- 5
Get your supplies and start notarizing
Obtain a notary stamp or seal and keep a journal of your notarial acts (required for New York notaries). You can then notarize documents throughout New York State.
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in New York
Available. Since February 1, 2023, New York notaries can register as Electronic Notaries with the Department of State to perform remote online notarizations. You must already hold a traditional New York notary commission, register online through NY Business Express, and pay a $60 fee. You must be physically located in New York during each electronic notarization and may charge up to $25 per electronic notarial act.
Online / remote notary application fee: $60 electronic notary registration
Electronic/remote online notarization has been operative since February 1, 2023 under New York Executive Law Section 135-c.
See how RON is authorized in New York — and state by state →
The commission, the RON registration and the platform account are three separate things — which of them you can do entirely online sorts them out.
Walk through the New York remote online notarization process →
Need a document notarized in New York instead? Notarize online with a New York commissioned notary.
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in New York
New York allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a New York commission you can register to notarize for signers who appear over live video — and take on assigned online signings.
| Traditional (in-person) notary | Remote online notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|
| How the signer appears | In person, in the same room | Over a live, recorded audio-video call |
| Available in New York? | Yes | Available now — register once commissioned |
| What you need | Seal and journal | An approved RON platform, identity-proofing, and a digital certificate |
| Where the work comes from | Local, walk-in and mobile appointments | Nationwide — e.g. assigned online signings through USA Notary |
What Does It Cost to Become a Notary in New York?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Written exam fee | $15 (waived for attorneys and Unified Court System clerks) |
| State application fee | $60 (fixed by the state) |
| Surety bond | Not required |
| Notary stamp/seal & journal | Varies by supplier |
| Electronic notary registration (optional, for RON) | $60 (fixed by the state) |
See what USA Notary costs a New York notary for platform-side details.
What a New York Notary Can Charge
The costs above are what you pay to get commissioned — this is the other side of the ledger. New York caps what a notary may charge per notarial act, and here is exactly where those ceilings sit.
| Maximum in-person fee (per notarial act) | $2 |
|---|---|
| Maximum remote online notarization (RON) fee | $25 |
A statutory maximum is a ceiling, not a price list, and it covers the notarial act only — travel, printing and after-hours convenience are quoted as separate line items. See how New York compares with every other state in the how New York fees compare across all 50 states.
Verified July 2026 against the National Notary Association "Notary Fees by State" table and primary state statutes/Secretary of State rules. Several states (WA, VA, NC) raised caps in 2023–2024. Fees are per notarial act/signature; a notary may charge less, never more. Confirm your state before relying on a figure.
Renewing Your Notary Commission in New York
Commission term in New York
4 years
No state renews a commission automatically, and notarizing on a lapsed one is treated as acting without authority — start the renewal before the date above arrives.
For timelines, typical costs, and what to do if you've already let a commission lapse, see our step-by-step notary commission renewal guide.
Turn Your New York Commission Into Income
USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. How New York notaries earn · membership cost · platform requirements · other states · compare RON platforms for New York notaries
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
Does New York require a notary exam?
Yes. Most applicants must pass a $15 written notary public examination given in paper format at approved test centers. Only New York attorneys and court clerks of the Unified Court System are exempt.
Do New York notaries need a surety bond?
No. Unlike many states, New York does not require a notary public to purchase or file a surety bond. You should still consider errors-and-omissions insurance to protect yourself.
How long is a New York notary commission valid?
A New York notary public commission lasts four years under Executive Law Section 130. You must renew before it expires to keep notarizing.
How much does it cost to become a notary in New York?
Plan for about $75 in state fees: $15 for the written exam plus a $60 application fee. You will also buy a notary stamp and journal, and registering for electronic (remote) notary services costs an additional $60.
Does New York allow remote online notarization?
Yes. Since February 1, 2023, commissioned New York notaries can register as Electronic Notaries to perform remote online notarizations. You must be physically located in New York during the act and may charge up to $25 per electronic notarial act.
Do I have to be a traditional notary before becoming an electronic notary in New York?
Yes. To offer electronic or remote online notarization you must already hold a traditional New York notary commission, then register the electronic capability through NY Business Express and pay a $60 fee.
How much can a notary charge in New York?
New York's maximum fee for a standard in-person notarial act is $2, per act or signature.
How much can a New York notary charge for online notarization?
New York's listed maximum fee for a remote online notarization is $25, against $2 in person.
When does a New York notary commission expire?
The New York commission term is: 4 years. No state renews a commission automatically — once yours lapses you cannot perform notarial acts until the renewal or reappointment is complete, so calendar the expiration date and start the paperwork early.
Where to go from here
The rest of the questions are the same in every state, so they live in one place each:
- How long it takes to become a notary — application, processing queue, and the waiting you can't control.
- What it costs to become a notary — the same line items as the New York cost table, priced across every state.
- Notary bond vs. E&O insurance — which one is a state requirement and which is your own call.
- what a New York loan signing agent does and earns — the highest-earning specialization once your commission arrives.
Becoming a Notary in Other States
Requirements differ by state — here are nearby Mid-Atlantic guides and other popular states. See the full 50-state directory.
About the author
Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC
CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC
Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades — personally completing more than 10,000 notarizations — and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.
Connect on LinkedInOfficial sources
- New York Department of State — Become a Notary Public
- New York Department of State — Notary Public FAQ
- New York Department of State — Electronic Notary License System
- New York State Bar Association — Electronic Notary Services
This guide summarizes public requirements from New York's notary authority and is for general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm current details with your state before applying.