Do you need a bond to be a notary in New York?

No. New York is one of the few states that does not require a surety bond. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.

Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to be a New York notary?

No. New York does not require citizenship, but you must be a New York resident or maintain an office or place of business in the state.

How much does a New York notary make per signature?

No more than $2 per notarial act, which is set by law. Mobile travel fees and loan signing fees are separate from that regulated amount.

Is there a course required to become a New York notary?

No. New York requires no education course, only that new applicants pass the written exam, with attorneys and court clerks exempt.

How long does a New York notary commission last?

Four years. You reapply with the $60 fee to renew, and retake the exam only if your commission lapsed for more than six months.

How to Become a Notary in New York (2026): Steps, Cost & Exam

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. New York notary rules are set in Executive Law Article 6 and can change, so confirm the details with the New York Department of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in New York you must be 18, a New York resident or have a place of business in the state, pass the written state exam, and file an application with the Department of State. The exam fee is $15 and the application fee is $60; there is no bond and no course. The commission lasts four years, and New York famously caps your fee at $2 per notarial act. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in New York?

Becoming a New York notary is inexpensive, usually $90 to $115, because the state requires no bond and no course. The two state charges are the $15 exam fee and the $60 application fee. The rest is your stamp and the record journal that all notaries must keep, plus optional errors and omissions insurance. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in New York?

You become a New York notary by passing the state exam and filing an application with the Department of State. The steps, in order, are:

Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 18 and either a New York resident or have an office or place of business in the state.
Pass the state exam. Take the 40-question written exam on a walk-in basis, pay the $15 fee, and pass at 70%; see our New York notary exam practice test to prepare.
Get your Oath of Office notarized. Complete and have your oath notarized to include with the application.
Apply with your pass slip and $60 fee. Submit online through NY Business Express or by mail with your pass slip, notarized oath, and fee.
Receive your commission and equip yourself. The Department of State issues a printable ID card and forwards your details to the county clerk; then get your stamp and a record journal.

How much can a New York notary charge per notarization?

A New York notary may charge no more than $2 per notarial act, one of the lowest caps in the country. This surprises new notaries who expect to earn more per signature, and it is a frequent exam topic. You can, however, charge a separate travel fee if you work as a mobile notary, and many notaries earn more by becoming loan signing agents, where the signing service fee is different from the regulated $2 notarial fee.

What are the requirements to become a New York notary?

The New York requirements center on the exam rather than a bond or course. You must be at least 18, a New York resident or someone with a place of business in the state, of good moral character, and able to pass the written exam based on Executive Law Article 6. New York does not require a surety bond, but since 2023 every notary must keep a record journal of notarial acts, and your notarizations must show a statement of authority with your name, "Notary Public State of New York," your county, and your commission expiration.

Who is exempt from the New York notary exam?

Attorneys admitted to practice in New York and court clerks of the Unified Court System are exempt from the notary exam. If you are in one of those groups, you skip both the exam and the $15 exam fee and apply directly with the $60 application fee. Everyone else must pass the written exam first, and a renewing notary whose commission has lapsed for more than six months must retake it.

How do you renew a New York notary commission?

You renew by filing a reappointment application with the $60 fee, ideally about three months before your four-year term ends. You do not retake the exam to renew on time; the exam is only required again if your commission has been expired for more than six months. The county clerk and the Department of State handle the recording, so keep your address current to make sure your renewal notice and ID card reach you.

Can you be a mobile or online notary in New York?

Yes to both. A mobile notary is a commissioned New York notary who travels to clients and may charge a separate travel fee on top of the $2 per-act fee. Unlike some states, New York has authorized remote online notarization, so once you hold a commission you can register as an electronic notary with the Department of State and notarize by audio-video, keeping the additional electronic recording that the rules require.

Becoming a New York notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond to be a notary in New York?: No. New York is one of the few states that does not require a surety bond. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.
Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to be a New York notary?: No. New York does not require citizenship, but you must be a New York resident or maintain an office or place of business in the state.
How much does a New York notary make per signature?: No more than $2 per notarial act, which is set by law. Mobile travel fees and loan signing fees are separate from that regulated amount.
Is there a course required to become a New York notary?: No. New York requires no education course, only that new applicants pass the written exam, with attorneys and court clerks exempt.
How long does a New York notary commission last?: Four years. You reapply with the $60 fee to renew, and retake the exam only if your commission lapsed for more than six months.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Notary Public); New York Executive Law Article 6 (sections 130-148). Confirm current fees and steps with the New York Department of State before applying.