NYS - New York State Notary Appointment and Qualifications Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following individuals is exempt from the New York State Notary Public examination requirement?
- A paralegal with 10 years of experience.
- A certified public accountant (CPA).
- A court clerk of the Unified Court System who was appointed after a promotional exam. (Correct answer)
- A real estate broker licensed in New York.
Correct answer: A court clerk of the Unified Court System who was appointed after a promotional exam.
According to the New York State Department of State, attorneys admitted to practice law in New York State and court clerks of the Unified Court System who were appointed to their position after taking a Civil Service promotional examination are exempt from the notary public exam.
Question 2: A candidate for a Notary Public commission in New York must meet several qualifications. Which of the following is a mandatory requirement?
- Be a U.S. citizen for at least 5 years.
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Be a resident of New York State or have a place of business within the state. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Be a resident of New York State or have a place of business within the state.
The New York Executive Law §130 states that an applicant for a notary public commission must, at the time of appointment, be a resident of the State of New York or have an office or place of business in New York State. The minimum age is 18, and there is no specific educational requirement like a high school diploma mentioned.
Question 3: An applicant from New Jersey wants to become a Notary Public in New York. This is permissible under which of the following conditions?
- The applicant owns property in New York.
- The applicant's spouse works in New York.
- The applicant has an office or regular place of business in New York. (Correct answer)
- The applicant is a licensed attorney in New Jersey.
Correct answer: The applicant has an office or regular place of business in New York.
New York Notary Public License Law allows nonresidents to become notaries if they have an office or a place of business within New York State. Simply owning property or having a spouse working in the state is not sufficient.
Question 4: What is the term of commission for a Notary Public in New York State?
- Two years
- Four years (Correct answer)
- Five years
- Ten years
Correct answer: Four years
The appointment of a Notary Public in New York is for a term of four years, as specified by the New York Department of State.
Question 5: Which of the following could be a reason for the Secretary of State to deny an application for a Notary Public commission?
- The applicant has never voted in a New York State election.
- The applicant was convicted of a felony. (Correct answer)
- The applicant is 70 years of age.
- The applicant does not own a computer.
Correct answer: The applicant was convicted of a felony.
The New York State Department of State specifies that a person convicted of a felony is generally disqualified from being appointed as a notary public, unless the Secretary of State makes a specific finding that the conviction does not constitute a bar to appointment.
Question 6: An applicant for a NYS Notary Public commission has passed the exam. What must they submit with their application form and fee to the Department of State?
- A letter of recommendation from an employer.
- A college transcript.
- Their official "pass slip" from the examination. (Correct answer)
- A certificate of U.S. citizenship.
Correct answer: Their official "pass slip" from the examination.
In addition to the completed application and the required fee, an applicant must submit the official 'pass slip' as proof of having successfully passed the notary public examination.
NYS - New York State Notary Appointment and Qualifications Questions and Answers 1
Which of the following individuals is exempt from the New York State Notary Public examination requirement?