This is an application to become a notary public in the state of New York. In order to apply to become a New York notary public, you must have passed the New York State Notary Public Examination within the past two years. Members of the New York State Bar and court clerks of the Unified Court System who have passed a court clerk civil service examination do not have to take the Notary Public Examination. You must be a resident of New York or employed in New York. You may not act as a New York notary public until you receive your commission.
How To Apply
- This form can be partially completed online. If you are not able to do so, you may print the form and complete it with a pen.
- Enter your name as you would like it shown on your commission. You must enter a first or middle name and not only initials.
- Enter your social security or federal identification number.
- Enter your daytime phone number.
- If you are a New York resident, enter your complete address including street name and number. Do not use a P.O. Box as the street address. County clerk employees should enter the county clerk address.
- Enter your business address. This may be the same as your home address if you are a New York resident. If you do not live in New York, you must enter a New York business address.
- Enter the date you passed the New York State Notary Examination, unless you are exempt as described above.
- Check whether you are at least 18 years old.
- Check whether you are a member of the New York State Bar.
- Check whether you are a court clerk of the Unified Court system and have passed a court clerk civil service examination.
- Check whether you have been convicted of a crime or have had a license, commission, or registration denied, suspended or revoked. If you check yes, include an explanation on a separate page.
- Check whether there are criminal charges pending against you. If yes, provide a copy.
- Sign the application using the name to be shown on your commission as entered above. Enter the date.
- Go to the next page. Enter your name as you would like it shown on your commission. You must enter a first or middle name and not only initials.
- If you are a New York resident, enter your complete address including street name and number. Do not use a P.O. Box as the street address. County clerk employees should enter the county clerk address.
- Enter your business address. This may be the same as your home address if you are a New York resident. If you do not live in New York, you must enter a New York business address.
- Print the application and take it to a New York Notary Public or court clerk, where you will swear an oath of office. The notary or clerk will enter the county, witness your signature and date, sign the application, and apply his or her seal.\
Send the application along with a check or money order payable to the Department of State for $60.00 to the
Division of Licensing Services,
Department of State, New York State, P.O. Box 22065,
Albany, NY 12201-2065.
If you wish to pay by credit card instead, you must obtain and complete a credit card authorization form. If you are a county clerk employee, you may submit a notarized fee exemption form. This is only an application and you may not perform any New York notary public duties until the application process is complete and you receive your commission.