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How to become a notary public in New York

New York licenses notaries statewide through the New York Department of State (DOS).1 For the Notary Public license you need a passing score on the New York State notary public examination (written)2. The board lists $60 for the application3 and $15 for the exam1, each a separate charge. You renew every 4 years2.

Last checked · 6 official sources

Who issues it

New York Department of State (DOS)

Exam

New York State notary public examination (written)2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $603
Exam fee: $151

Renewal

Every 4 years2

From another state

No reciprocity route2

On this page
  1. New York notary public licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Notary Public license
  4. Requirements for a Notary Public license
  5. How much a Notary Public license costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Moving to New York with a license from another state
  9. Electronic Notary Public
  10. City and county rules
  11. Laws and rules
  12. Common questions
  13. Notary public licenses in other states

New York notary public licenses

New York issues 2 notary public credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversExamApplication or license fee
Electronic Notary Public–––
Notary PublicA public officer commissioned by the NY Secretary of State with limited power to take acknowledgments and administer oaths within New York.1Yes1$603

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every New York notary public license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Minimum age
18 years old1

How to apply

Renewal

Who needs a Notary Public license

A public officer commissioned by the NY Secretary of State with limited power to take acknowledgments and administer oaths within New York.1

Requirements for a Notary Public license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Exam
New York State notary public examination (written)2
Given by: NY Department of State (state exam; county clerks distribute exam schedules).5
Exam waived: NY Bar attorneys and court clerks appointed after the qualifying civil service exam are exempt.1
Background check
The Secretary of State commissions applicants after being satisfied of their competency and good character.3
Residency or citizenship
Be a New York resident or have an office or place of business in New York. Out-of-state attorneys admitted in NY with a NY law office count as residents of that county; other non-residents file their oath and signature in the county of their NY office or business.2
Also required
Upload a completed, notarized oath of office form (DOS-2201) with each original or renewal application.1

How much a Notary Public license costs

You pay DOS (4 fees) and County Clerk (certificate of official character (county clerk)).

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$603DOSOriginal commission (four-year term); county clerks exempt with proof of employment. Not refundable
Exam fee$151DOSNot refundable
Change Notice$101DOSChange of name/address. Not refundable
Duplicate or replacement license$101DOSNot refundable
Certificate of official character (county clerk)$34County ClerkOptional; amount varies by county

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Check you qualify: 18 or older, and a New York resident or someone with an office or place of business in New York.2
  2. Unless you are an NY Bar attorney or a qualifying court clerk, register for and pass the state notary public exam ($15). County clerks have the exam schedule and a study guide.2
  3. Complete the oath of office form (DOS-2201) and have it notarized.1
  4. Apply online through NY Business Express with a NY.gov account, upload the oath, and pay the $60 commission fee (MasterCard or Visa).1
  5. The Department of State issues your commission and ID card and files your oath and signature with your county clerk.5
Processing time
3-5 business days (average, Business Express)1

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 4 years2
When it expires
Four-year term, renewable every four years online with the Department of State (not the county clerk since July 1, 2023). You may renew from 90 days before expiry and must renew within 6 months after expiry.2
Renewal fee
$603
If it expires
Renewals more than six months after expiration cannot be processed; the notary must retest and apply for a new commission.6

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your New York Notary Public license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to New York with a license from another state

These are the routes DOS publishes for the Notary Public license. The other notary public licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity was found. Non-residents can be commissioned only if they have an office or place of business in New York, and must meet the same exam and application requirements.2
Conditions
Non-residents file the oath and signature in the county of their NY office or business.4

Electronic Notary Public

Requirements

Experience
Must be a commissioned New York notary public; registration is treated as a new appointment.3
License you must hold first: New York notary public commission (ny-notary-public-commission)3

How to apply

  1. Hold a current New York notary commission.3
  2. Apply online through NY Business Express ("Apply Online for Electronic Notary Public") with a NY.gov account.1

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No route based on another state's registration is described; registration is for commissioned New York notaries.3

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Notary PublicNo local notary license. The Department of State files your oath and signature with the county clerk; renewals moved from county clerks to the Department of State on July 1, 2023. County clerks charge small fees for certificates of official character and authentications. Some cities (e.g. Buffalo) appoint Commissioners of Deeds, a separate city office.5

City or countyWhat it requiresLink
Erie County (Buffalo)Renew through the state Business Express portal at the end of the 4-year term; filing your commission in another county costs $5 for a certificate of official character from Erie plus $10 in the other county. Buffalo, Lackawanna and Tonawanda appoint Commissioners of Deeds: $20 to the City Clerk, City Council approval, then $10 to the County Clerk.6Official page6
Monroe County (Rochester)No county license; renewals go to the Department of State online. The County Clerk files certificates of official character for notaries who sign in other counties ($3.00 per document).4Official page4

Electronic Notary PublicNo local license; the Secretary of State sends the county clerk the notary's electronic signature exemplar.3

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

Can I transfer my notary public license to New York?

No reciprocity was found. Non-residents can be commissioned only if they have an office or place of business in New York, and must meet the same exam and application requirements.2 Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Notary Public license in New York?

Every 4 years2. The renewal fee is $603.

Notary public licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Notary Public Commission (DOS-0033)New York State Business Express (Empire State Development / NYS Department of State license listing)Checked November 7, 2026
  2. Notaries - Sullivan County NYSullivan County Clerk, Sullivan County, New YorkChecked November 7, 2026
  3. A.7755 (2023-2024), amending Executive Law 131-133, 135-c (notary appointment and reappointment)New York State Legislature (NY Senate Open Legislation)Checked November 7, 2026
  4. County Clerk Notary PageMonroe County, NY, County ClerkChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Notary - Ulster County ClerkUlster County Clerk, New YorkChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Notary Information - Erie County ClerkErie County Clerk, Erie County, New YorkChecked November 7, 2026