New York Notary Public License Law Overview

Notary Public

An official authorized to perform notarial acts.

Commission

Authorization granted by the Secretary of State.

Secretary of State

State official overseeing notary public commissions.

Application Fee

$60 fee required for notary application submission.

Oath of Office

A sworn statement required for notary commission.

Notary Examination

Test required for notary applicants, except attorneys.

Term of Commission

Duration of notary service, set at 4 years.

County Clerk

Local official maintaining notary records and signatures.

Official Signature

Notary's verified signature accessible to the public.

Authentication

County clerk's verification of a notary's signature.

Certificate of Official Character

Document filed for notaries signing outside residence county.

Out-of-State Residents

Non-residents can become notaries if meeting specific criteria.

Attorney Notaries

Attorneys may become notaries without taking an exam.

Pass Slip

Proof of passing the notary public examination.

Division of Licensing Services

Department responsible for notary public commissions.

Governor

State leader overseeing the Department of State.

Residency Requirement

Notaries must be commissioned in their county of residence.

Law Office

Location where out-of-state attorneys may be considered residents.

Notarial Acts

Official acts performed by a notary public.

Public Access

Records of notaries are available to the public.

Verification Process

Procedure for confirming a notary's authority to sign.

Appointment

Process of designating a notary public.

Qualifications

Requirements to become a notary public.

Executive Law

Laws governing notary public appointments.

Certification

Official verification of notarial signatures.

Notarial Fees

Charges for services performed by notaries.

Electronic Notarization

Digital process of notarizing documents.

Acknowledgments

Formal declarations of document execution.

Proof by Witness

Verification of a document by a witness.

Certificate of Acknowledgment

Document confirming acknowledgment of execution.

Malfeasance

Wrongdoing by a public official.

Public Officers Law

Regulations governing public officials' conduct.

Misconduct

Improper behavior by a notary public.

Perjury

Lying under oath, a criminal offense.

Fraud in Office

Deceitful conduct by a notary public.

Communication Technology

Tools used for electronic notarization.

Identity Proofing

Process of verifying a person's identity.

Credential Analysis

Examination of identity credentials for authenticity.

Recordkeeping

Maintaining records of notarial acts performed.

Renewals

Process of extending a notary's commission.

Official Misconduct

Improper actions by a public officer.

Wills

Legal documents expressing a person's wishes after death.

Fees for Oaths

Charges for administering official oaths.

Attestation Clause

A statement confirming the authenticity of a document.

Acknowledgment

A formal declaration by a person before a notary.

Affidavit

A written statement confirmed by oath for legal purposes.

Judicial Declaration

Court statement regarding legal interpretations or misconduct.

Professional Misconduct

Improper actions violating professional standards or duties.

Real Property Title

Legal ownership rights to a physical property.

Fidelity

Faithfulness in performing duties and responsibilities.

Commissioner of Deeds

Official authorized to perform notarial acts in NYC.

Executive Law §130

Statute governing appointment of notaries public.

Slipshod Administration

Careless handling of legal oaths or documents.

Oath Administration

Formal process of affirming truthfulness under penalty.

Affirmation

A declaration equivalent to an oath, without religious connotation.

Legal Papers

Documents requiring legal expertise for preparation.

Legal Business Referral

Directing clients to lawyers for legal services.

Fee Division

Sharing legal fees with attorneys, prohibited for notaries.

Notarial Signature Certification

Verification of a notary's signature on documents.

Presence Requirement

Mandatory physical presence of parties during notarization.

Notary's Official Duty

Obligation to perform notarial acts correctly and legally.

Disqualifications

Reasons a notary may be removed from office.

Legal Consequences

Potential penalties for notaries violating regulations.

Notary's Scope of Practice

Limitations on legal activities notaries may perform.

Appointment Term

Notary public serves a term of 4 years.

Application Requirements

Must follow prescribed format by Secretary of State.

Office Maintenance

Non-resident notaries vacate office without business in NY.

Reappointment

Application for reappointment must be within 6 months.

Good Moral Character

Requirement for notary public applicants.

Common School Education

Educational requirement for notary public applicants.

Non-refundable Fee

$60 application fee for reappointment.

Commission Issuance Fee

No fee for issuing the commission after application.

Record Keeping

Secretary of State maintains records of commissions.

Name Change Fee

$10 fee for changing notary's name or address.

Military Discharge Waiver

Qualifying requirements waived for military applicants.

Application Submission Deadline

Commission transmitted by county clerk by 10th day.

Civil Service Examination

Required for court clerks to become notaries.

Notary Powers

Cannot claim powers beyond those granted by law.

Application Fee Allocation

$40 from application fee sent to Secretary of State.

Discretionary Appointment

Secretary of State has discretion in appointments.

Non-resident Notary

Must appoint Secretary of State for process service.

Reapplication Conditions

Requirements may be waived under specific circumstances.

Jurisdiction

Notary's jurisdiction is statewide in New York.

Application Form

Must include matters prescribed by Secretary of State.

Conviction Bar

Criminal conviction may prevent notary appointment.

Duplicate Identification Card

Replacement card for lost or damaged notary ID.

Competency Requirement

Assessment of applicant's skills and character.

Commission Term

Duration of notary's appointment validity.

Filing Fee

Charge for filing notary documents with the county.

Autograph Signature

Notary's personal signature filed for verification.

Statutory Requirements

Legal criteria for notary appointment compliance.

Commission Issuance

Process of granting official notary status.

Index of Commissions

Record of notaries maintained by county clerk.

Seal Attachment Fee

Charge for attaching seal to official documents.

Adjoining State Residency

Notary may reside in neighboring state.

Application Submission

Process of submitting required documents for appointment.

Certification Fee

Charge for issuing certificates of notarial character.

Term of Office

Length of time notary serves after appointment.

Certificate of Authentication

County clerk's validation of a notary's signature.

Reappointment Application

Request for renewal of notary public commission.