New York State Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A New York notary must sign notarial certificates:

In the form of their name exactly as it appears on their commission (Correct answer)
Only with their full legal name including any middle names
With any form of their name they prefer on a given day
With their initials only for brevity

Correct answer: In the form of their name exactly as it appears on their commission

Notaries must sign using the exact form of their name as commissioned.

Question 2: The fee for the New York notary public application is paid to:

The state treasury directly by wire
The Department of State (Correct answer)
The Secretary of State's personal fund
The county clerk only

Correct answer: The Department of State

The application fee is paid to the Department of State.

Question 3: A New York notary who seals a document with the wrong information in their seal (e.g., wrong commission expiration date) should:

Contact the Secretary of State for guidance
Correct the certificate before it is used by striking through the error and re-signing (Correct answer)
Refuse to return the document and create a new certificate
Leave the document as-is to avoid drawing attention to the error

Correct answer: Correct the certificate before it is used by striking through the error and re-signing

Errors in a notarial certificate should be corrected before the document is used, with corrections made and re-signed.

Question 4: Which of the following legal terms defines a signed, written statement, sworn to or affirmed by the person making it, before a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths?

Jurat
Conveyance
Affidavit (Correct answer)
Acknowledgment

Correct answer: Affidavit

An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, used as evidence in court. An acknowledgment verifies the signer's identity and voluntary execution of a document, while a jurat is the notary's certification that an oath was taken. A conveyance is an instrument that transfers interest in real property.

Question 5: A notary is presented with a will to notarize. The notary is named in the will as a beneficiary who will inherit a significant sum of money. What is the appropriate action for the notary to take?

Ask another notary in the office to perform the notarization and act as a non-required witness.
Proceed with the notarization since New York law does not explicitly forbid notarizing for relatives.
Refuse to notarize the document due to a direct financial interest. (Correct answer)
Notarize the will but add a note disclosing their interest.

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize the document due to a direct financial interest.

A notary public is disqualified from acting in any transaction where they are a party to the instrument or have a direct and pecuniary interest. Being named as a beneficiary in a will creates a direct financial interest, which is a clear conflict of interest. The notary must refuse to perform the notarization.

Question 6: Which of the following individuals is exempt from the New York State Notary Public examination requirement?

A certified public accountant (CPA).
A paralegal with 10 years of experience.
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 7: A New York notary may charge a fee for:

Filing documents with a court on behalf of a client
Administering an oath or taking an acknowledgment (Correct answer)
Representing a client in a real estate closing
Preparing legal documents

Correct answer: Administering an oath or taking an acknowledgment

Notaries may charge statutory fees for official notarial acts such as administering oaths or taking acknowledgments.

Question 8: When a notary 'certifies' a copy, the word 'certify' means:

The notary guarantees the document is legally enforceable
The notary swears to the truth of the document's contents
The notary confirms the copy is an accurate reproduction of the original (Correct answer)
The notary asserts the document was properly filed

Correct answer: The notary confirms the copy is an accurate reproduction of the original

To certify a copy means to confirm it is an accurate reproduction of the original document.

Question 9: A New York notary who is an employee of Company A is asked by an employee of Company B to perform a notarization. The notary may:

Only notarize for Company B if Company B pays the notary directly
Only notarize for their own employer during work hours
Notarize for any person at any time as a licensed public officer (Correct answer)
Only notarize for Company B employees if Company A gives written permission

Correct answer: Notarize for any person at any time as a licensed public officer

A notary public commission authorizes service to any member of the public, not just the notary's employer.

Question 10: What is required for satisfactory evidence of identity for an individual signing a document who appears before an electronic notary public using communication technology, and who is not personally known to the notary public?

Identity verification, credential analysis, and identity proofing (Correct answer)
Attestation by two witnesses who know the individual personally
Personal acquaintance with the notary public
Attestation by the notary public that the individual is personally known to them

Correct answer: Identity verification, credential analysis, and identity proofing

For electronic notarization, especially when the signer is not personally known, New York State requires robust identity verification methods. This includes identity verification (confirming the person is who they claim to be), credential analysis (examining the signer's government-issued ID for authenticity), and identity proofing (using dynamic knowledge-based authentication or other secure methods). These steps ensure the integrity of the electronic notarial act and prevent fraud.

Question 11: Which of the following duties is a New York Notary Public empowered to perform?

Issuing a certified 'true copy' of a university diploma.
Demanding acceptance or payment of foreign and inland bills of exchange. (Correct answer)
Preparing a power of attorney document for a client.
Drafting a last will and testament.

Correct answer: Demanding acceptance or payment of foreign and inland bills of exchange.

Executive Law §135 grants New York notaries the power to demand acceptance or payment of foreign and inland bills of exchange, promissory notes, and other written obligations, and to protest them for non-acceptance or non-payment. Notaries are prohibited from certifying copies of documents and engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, which includes drafting legal documents like wills or powers of attorney.

Question 12: A New York notary public who receives a request to notarize a document in an unknown foreign language should:

Refer the matter to the Secretary of State for approval
Refuse to notarize any foreign language document
Require a certified translation before notarizing
Notarize the document as long as the signer's acknowledgment or oath is properly obtained (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Notarize the document as long as the signer's acknowledgment or oath is properly obtained

A notary may notarize a foreign language document as long as they can properly perform the notarial act with the signer.

Question 13: Which of the following best describes 'satisfactory evidence of identity' under New York notarial standards?

Reasonable assurance — typically a credible government-issued ID or personal knowledge — that the signer is who they claim (Correct answer)
Evidence that satisfies the notary beyond a reasonable doubt
A background check conducted by the county clerk
A sworn statement from the signer attesting to their own identity

Correct answer: Reasonable assurance — typically a credible government-issued ID or personal knowledge — that the signer is who they claim

Satisfactory evidence means the notary has reasonable grounds — through ID, personal knowledge, or credible witnesses — to believe the signer is who they say.

Question 14: A New York notary must refuse to perform a notarial act when:

The document was not typed on official stationery
The signer is visually impaired
The signer is unable to communicate or appear to understand the nature of the act (Correct answer)
The signer is elderly or appears frail

Correct answer: The signer is unable to communicate or appear to understand the nature of the act

A notary must refuse if the signer cannot communicate or appears not to understand what they are signing.

Question 15: A New York notary may NOT notarize a document if the signer:

Wants to sign with a mark instead of a full signature
Cannot be identified to the notary's satisfaction (Correct answer)
Uses an affirmation instead of an oath
Is under 18 years of age

Correct answer: Cannot be identified to the notary's satisfaction

If the notary cannot reasonably satisfy themselves of the signer's identity, they must refuse to notarize.

Question 16: The term 'sine qua non' in legal drafting means:

An essential condition without which something cannot exist or occur (Correct answer)
Without legal effect
A certificate filed with the county
A judge's order authorizing notarization

Correct answer: An essential condition without which something cannot exist or occur

Sine qua non means an indispensable condition — something essential without which a thing cannot occur.

Question 17: For New York notarial purposes, which of these is an example of a proper identification document a signer may present?

A utility bill with name and address
A state-issued driver's license with photo (Correct answer)
A business card with name and title
A school ID card

Correct answer: A state-issued driver's license with photo

A government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license is the appropriate identification for notarization purposes.

Question 18: A New York notary public who knowingly makes a false certificate is guilty of:

A Class B misdemeanor
A felony (Correct answer)
Civil contempt only
A petty offense

Correct answer: A felony

Knowingly making a false certificate is a felony under New York law.

Question 19: Which of the following is a key reason a New York notary public must disqualify themselves from a notarial act?

The signer is not a resident of New York State.
The notary is named as the executor in the will they are being asked to notarize. (Correct answer)
The signer is personally known to the notary.
The document is written in a language the notary does not understand.

Correct answer: The notary is named as the executor in the will they are being asked to notarize.

Being named as a party in the document, such as an executor in a will, gives the notary a direct interest in the matter. New York Notary Law disqualifies a notary from acting in any transaction in which they are a party or have a direct interest. The other options are not grounds for a conflict-of-interest disqualification.

Question 20: Under New York law, a notary public may NOT notarize a document in which they have:

Previously reviewed the document
A direct financial or personal interest (Correct answer)
Prior knowledge of the parties
Any professional interest

Correct answer: A direct financial or personal interest

A notary must not notarize documents in which they have a direct financial or personal interest, as this creates a conflict of interest.

Question 21: Which statement is true about administering an oath to a person who objects on religious grounds?

The notary should offer an affirmation as a legally equivalent alternative (Correct answer)
The notary must require the person to find a clergy member instead
The person must obtain a court waiver before the notary can proceed
The notary must refuse to serve the person

Correct answer: The notary should offer an affirmation as a legally equivalent alternative

New York law allows an affirmation as a full legal substitute for an oath for anyone who objects to swearing on religious or conscientious grounds.

Question 22: A jurat in New York requires the notary to:

Only verify the signer's identity without an oath
Certify the document is a true copy
Verify the signer's identity and witness the signing under oath (Correct answer)
Confirm the document was notarized in another state

Correct answer: Verify the signer's identity and witness the signing under oath

A jurat requires the notary to administer an oath and witness the signer's signature.

Question 23: What is the penalty for violating the provisions of §§478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, or 484?

Misdemeanor charge (Correct answer)
Imprisonment
Revocation of notary commission
A fine

Correct answer: Misdemeanor charge

Violating specific provisions of the New York Executive Law related to Notaries Public (e.g., §§478-484) can result in a misdemeanor charge. These sections cover various aspects of notary conduct, including acting as a notary without a commission, making false certificates, or charging excessive fees. A misdemeanor is a criminal offense, indicating the seriousness of these violations and the importance of adhering to notary laws.

Question 24: Which of the following demonstrates a REQUIRED qualification for a New York notary public applicant?

Ownership of real property in New York
A college degree from a New York institution
At least five years of employment in New York
Residence or maintenance of an office or place of business in New York (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Residence or maintenance of an office or place of business in New York

Residency OR maintaining a New York office or place of business satisfies the residency requirement.

Question 25: A notary is a member of a local non-profit club and is asked to notarize the signature of the club's treasurer on a grant application. The notary holds no official position in the club and will not personally receive any of the grant funds. Which of the following is true?

The notary must refuse because membership creates an automatic conflict of interest.
The notary must get permission from the Secretary of State before proceeding.
The notary can perform the notarization because there is no direct personal or financial interest in this specific transaction. (Correct answer)
The notary can only perform the notarization if they resign their membership from the club first.

Correct answer: The notary can perform the notarization because there is no direct personal or financial interest in this specific transaction.

A conflict of interest exists when the notary is a party to the transaction or has a direct and pecuniary interest. In this scenario, simple membership in a non-profit organization does not constitute a direct financial interest in a specific grant application, especially since the notary holds no office and does not personally benefit. Therefore, the notary is not disqualified.

Question 26: A document notarized in another country must be used in a New York State court proceeding. What authentication is typically required?

An apostille (for Hague Convention countries) or authentication/legalization chain (Correct answer)
A translation certified by a NYS-registered translator only
Re-notarization by a NYS notary public before submission
Written approval from the NYS Secretary of State's office

Correct answer: An apostille (for Hague Convention countries) or authentication/legalization chain

Foreign notarizations require an apostille for Hague Convention member countries, or a full authentication/legalization chain for non-member countries, before they are recognized in U.S. proceedings.

Question 27: Which statement about notarizing a will in New York is correct?

Notarization is sufficient to make a will valid in New York
Notarization is only required for wills over $50,000
A will typically requires attesting witnesses, not notarization (Correct answer)
A notarized signature replaces the need for attesting witnesses

Correct answer: A will typically requires attesting witnesses, not notarization

New York wills require attesting witnesses rather than notarization for validity.

Question 28: A 'venue' on a notarial certificate refers to:

The court where the document will be filed
The state and county where the notarization took place (Correct answer)
The address of the notary's office
The location of the signing party's residence

Correct answer: The state and county where the notarization took place

The venue identifies the state and county where the notarial act was performed.

Question 29: Under New York law, a notary's duty to verify identity is satisfied when the notary:

Either personally knows the signer or obtains satisfactory evidence of identity (Correct answer)
Verifies the signer's name in the local telephone directory
Relies solely on the signer's self-identification
Obtains a fingerprint from the signer

Correct answer: Either personally knows the signer or obtains satisfactory evidence of identity

Identity is satisfied by personal knowledge of the signer or by satisfactory identification evidence.

Question 30: Which statement most accurately describes a NYS notary's authority to act in other U.S. states?

They may notarize in bordering states under existing interstate reciprocity agreements
They may notarize documents in any state as long as the document is a New York document
They may notarize federal government documents anywhere in the United States
They have no notarial authority in any state other than New York (Correct answer)

Correct answer: They have no notarial authority in any state other than New York

A NYS notary commission confers authority only within New York State; the notary has absolutely no authority to perform notarial acts in any other state under their NY commission.

Question 31: What is the notary's responsibility when a signer presents a name on the document that differs from their ID?

Accept the ID as long as the photo matches the person
Require the signer to obtain a court order explaining the name difference
Investigate the discrepancy and refuse if the notary cannot be satisfied the person is the same individual named in the document (Correct answer)
Correct the document to match the ID automatically

Correct answer: Investigate the discrepancy and refuse if the notary cannot be satisfied the person is the same individual named in the document

A name discrepancy requires the notary to investigate; if not resolved, the notary should decline to avoid potentially notarizing a fraudulent act.

Question 32: A non-attorney NYS notary public permanently relocates their residence to New Jersey and no longer maintains any New York office. What happens to their New York notary commission?

The commission is automatically vacated upon loss of NY residency (Correct answer)
The commission remains valid for the remainder of its two-year term
The commission is placed in suspended status pending review
The notary has 60 days to transfer their commission to New Jersey

Correct answer: The commission is automatically vacated upon loss of NY residency

Under NYS Executive Law, a non-attorney notary who ceases to be a New York State resident automatically vacates their office, terminating the commission.

Question 33: A New York notary public is administering an oath for an affidavit. Which of the following is a required procedure?

Having the signer verbally assent to the oath, for example, by saying 'I do'. (Correct answer)
Ensuring the document has been reviewed by an attorney.
Verifying the truthfulness of the statements in the affidavit.
Requiring the signer to place their left hand on a Bible.

Correct answer: Having the signer verbally assent to the oath, for example, by saying 'I do'.

When administering an oath, the notary must clearly state the oath and observe the signer's verbal assent, such as saying 'I do' or other words to that effect. The law requires a form calculated to awaken the conscience, but does not mandate a specific religious text or hand placement. The notary's role is to witness the oath, not to verify the content of the document or require legal review.

Question 34: New York public law requires that a notary public's oath of office be filed with:

The Governor's office
The local court clerk
The county clerk of the county where the notary resides or has a principal office (Correct answer)
The Department of State only

Correct answer: The county clerk of the county where the notary resides or has a principal office

The oath of office must be filed with the county clerk of the notary's county of residence or principal business.

Question 35: The duty to 'demand acceptance and payment' of bills of exchange is which type of notarial function?

A commercial paper function related to protests (Correct answer)
An acknowledgment function
A real property recording function
A deposition-related function

Correct answer: A commercial paper function related to protests

Demanding acceptance and payment of bills of exchange is part of the commercial paper protest function.

Question 36: Under New York RON law, the notary's electronic seal must:

Be unique to the notary and include the notary's name and commission expiration date (Correct answer)
Be a physical rubber stamp converted to digital image
Include a digital photo of the notary
Be the same seal used for all notaries statewide

Correct answer: Be unique to the notary and include the notary's name and commission expiration date

The electronic seal must be unique to the notary and include their identifying information such as name and commission expiration.

Question 37: A New York notary who notarizes a document without the signer physically present (absent RON authorization) is:

Acting lawfully if the signer pre-signed the document
Performing a standard accepted practice
Required only to note the absence in the certificate
Guilty of misconduct and the notarization is void (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Guilty of misconduct and the notarization is void

Notarizing without the signer's personal appearance is misconduct and renders the notarization void.

Question 38: A New York notary public taking the proof of a deed by a subscribing witness must:

File the proof with the Supreme Court within 30 days
Examine the subscribing witness under oath about the execution of the deed (Correct answer)
Have the grantor present in addition to the witness
Require a second subscribing witness as corroboration

Correct answer: Examine the subscribing witness under oath about the execution of the deed

When taking proof by a subscribing witness, the notary must examine the witness under oath about how the deed was executed.

Question 39: If a technical failure (such as a lost internet connection) occurs during a New York RON session, the notary must:

Stop the session and restart with a new confirmed connection and identity verification (Correct answer)
Proceed with the notarization and note the technical issue in the certificate
Complete the session from memory if the identity was already confirmed
Complete the notarization using telephone audio alone

Correct answer: Stop the session and restart with a new confirmed connection and identity verification

A technical failure requires stopping and restarting the session with all requirements fully met again.

Question 40: Which of the following is a power granted to a duly qualified New York notary public?

Administering oaths and affirmations. (Correct answer)
Certifying a copy of a birth certificate.
Providing legal advice on the document being notarized.
Issuing a Certificate of Conformity for a notarization performed in another state.

Correct answer: Administering oaths and affirmations.

According to New York Notary Public License Law, notaries are authorized to administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and depositions, and certify acknowledgments. Notaries cannot certify copies of public records like birth certificates, give legal advice, or issue Certificates of Conformity.

New York State Notary Public Exam

The NYS Notary Public exam tests knowledge of New York notarial law, duties, proper procedures for notarial acts, and ethical responsibilities required for appointment as a notary public.

Questions

60 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

Checking for saved progress...

Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds