New York State Notary Public
Licensing Examination (2024/2025)
Section 1: Commissioning & Qualifications (Questions 1-8)
Q1: A New York State resident applies for a Notary Public commission. Which of the
following is a statutory eligibility requirement under NYS law?
A. The applicant must be at least 21 years of age and a U.S. citizen.
B. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of New York State or have a
place of business in New York State, and possess "good moral character."
C. The applicant must be at least 21 years of age and maintain a principal office within the
five boroughs of New York City.
D. The applicant must be a licensed attorney in New York State or a certified public
accountant.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Executive Law § 130, a person is eligible for a notary commission if they are
at least 18 years old, are residents of New York State or have a place of business in New
York State, and possess "good moral character." There is no requirement to be a U.S. citizen,
attorney, CPA, or to maintain an office in NYC. Option A is incorrect because the age
requirement is 18, not 21, and citizenship is not required. Option C is incorrect because there
is no NYC-specific requirement. Option D is incorrect because legal or accounting licensure
is not required.
Q2: Maria, a resident of Queens, New York, was commissioned as a Notary Public on March
1, 2024, after filing her oath of office. Her commission will expire on which date?
A. March 1, 2028
B. March 1, 2029
C. Four years from the date she passed her notary exam
D. Four years from the date she received her commission certificate in the mail
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Executive Law § 130(3) states that a notary commission is valid for a term of four
years from the date of the filing of the oath of office. Maria filed her oath on March 1, 2024,
so her commission expires March 1, 2028. Option B adds an incorrect fifth year. Option C is
incorrect because the term runs from the oath filing date, not the exam date. Option D is
incorrect because the commission certificate mailing date is irrelevant to the statutory term
calculation.
Q3: Under current NYS law effective 2024/2025, what is the bond requirement for a Notary
Public?
A. $5,000 bond filed with the county clerk
B. $10,000 bond filed with the NYS Department of State
C. $20,000 bond filed with the county clerk where the notary resides or has a place of
business
D. No bond is required for New York State notaries
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: As amended by Chapter 399 of the Laws of 2022, effective January 25, 2023,
Executive Law § 136 requires every notary public to file a $20,000 bond with the county clerk
of the county where the notary resides or has a place of business. This bond must be filed
before the notary can perform official acts. Option A reflects the old $5,000 requirement.
Option B is incorrect because the bond is filed with the county clerk, not the Department of
State, and the amount is $20,000, not $10,000. Option D is incorrect because a bond is
mandatory.
Q4: John, a commissioned NYS Notary Public, moves from Buffalo (Erie County) to Albany
(Albany County) during his four-year commission term. What must John do to continue
performing notarial acts lawfully?
A. Nothing; his commission is valid statewide regardless of residence
B. File a change of address notice with the NYS Department of State within 30 days and file a
new $20,000 bond with the Albany County Clerk
C. Surrender his commission and reapply as a new applicant in Albany County
, D. File a new bond with Albany County Clerk only; no notice to the Department of State is
required
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Executive Law § 130(4) and § 136, a notary who changes residence must file
a notice of change of address with the Department of State within 30 days. Additionally,
because the bond is filed with the county clerk of the notary's residence or place of business,
John must file a new $20,000 bond with the Albany County Clerk. Option A is incorrect
because while the commission is statewide, the bond filing requirements are county-specific.
Option C is incorrect because surrendering the commission is unnecessary. Option D is
incorrect because the address change notice to the Department of State is mandatory.
Q5: Which of the following individuals would be DISQUALIFIED from receiving a NYS Notary
Public commission under current law?
A. A 19-year-old college student with no criminal record
B. A non-U.S. citizen who is a lawful permanent resident of New York State
C. A person convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude whose civil rights have NOT been
restored
D. A licensed attorney who maintains an office in New Jersey but lives in New York State
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Executive Law § 130 requires "good moral character." A felony conviction involving
moral turpitude disqualifies an applicant unless their civil rights have been restored. Option A
is incorrect because 18 is the minimum age, so a 19-year-old qualifies. Option B is incorrect
because U.S. citizenship is not required—only residency or a place of business in NYS.
Option D is incorrect because an attorney may be commissioned and having a NJ office does
not disqualify if they maintain NYS residency.
Q6: A commissioned NYS Notary Public fails to file the required $20,000 bond with the county
clerk. What is the legal consequence?
A. The notary may perform acts but cannot charge fees
B. The notary's commission is invalid, and any notarial acts performed are voidable
C. The notary receives a warning letter but may continue practicing for 60 days
Licensing Examination (2024/2025)
Section 1: Commissioning & Qualifications (Questions 1-8)
Q1: A New York State resident applies for a Notary Public commission. Which of the
following is a statutory eligibility requirement under NYS law?
A. The applicant must be at least 21 years of age and a U.S. citizen.
B. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of New York State or have a
place of business in New York State, and possess "good moral character."
C. The applicant must be at least 21 years of age and maintain a principal office within the
five boroughs of New York City.
D. The applicant must be a licensed attorney in New York State or a certified public
accountant.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Executive Law § 130, a person is eligible for a notary commission if they are
at least 18 years old, are residents of New York State or have a place of business in New
York State, and possess "good moral character." There is no requirement to be a U.S. citizen,
attorney, CPA, or to maintain an office in NYC. Option A is incorrect because the age
requirement is 18, not 21, and citizenship is not required. Option C is incorrect because there
is no NYC-specific requirement. Option D is incorrect because legal or accounting licensure
is not required.
Q2: Maria, a resident of Queens, New York, was commissioned as a Notary Public on March
1, 2024, after filing her oath of office. Her commission will expire on which date?
A. March 1, 2028
B. March 1, 2029
C. Four years from the date she passed her notary exam
D. Four years from the date she received her commission certificate in the mail
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Executive Law § 130(3) states that a notary commission is valid for a term of four
years from the date of the filing of the oath of office. Maria filed her oath on March 1, 2024,
so her commission expires March 1, 2028. Option B adds an incorrect fifth year. Option C is
incorrect because the term runs from the oath filing date, not the exam date. Option D is
incorrect because the commission certificate mailing date is irrelevant to the statutory term
calculation.
Q3: Under current NYS law effective 2024/2025, what is the bond requirement for a Notary
Public?
A. $5,000 bond filed with the county clerk
B. $10,000 bond filed with the NYS Department of State
C. $20,000 bond filed with the county clerk where the notary resides or has a place of
business
D. No bond is required for New York State notaries
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: As amended by Chapter 399 of the Laws of 2022, effective January 25, 2023,
Executive Law § 136 requires every notary public to file a $20,000 bond with the county clerk
of the county where the notary resides or has a place of business. This bond must be filed
before the notary can perform official acts. Option A reflects the old $5,000 requirement.
Option B is incorrect because the bond is filed with the county clerk, not the Department of
State, and the amount is $20,000, not $10,000. Option D is incorrect because a bond is
mandatory.
Q4: John, a commissioned NYS Notary Public, moves from Buffalo (Erie County) to Albany
(Albany County) during his four-year commission term. What must John do to continue
performing notarial acts lawfully?
A. Nothing; his commission is valid statewide regardless of residence
B. File a change of address notice with the NYS Department of State within 30 days and file a
new $20,000 bond with the Albany County Clerk
C. Surrender his commission and reapply as a new applicant in Albany County
, D. File a new bond with Albany County Clerk only; no notice to the Department of State is
required
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Executive Law § 130(4) and § 136, a notary who changes residence must file
a notice of change of address with the Department of State within 30 days. Additionally,
because the bond is filed with the county clerk of the notary's residence or place of business,
John must file a new $20,000 bond with the Albany County Clerk. Option A is incorrect
because while the commission is statewide, the bond filing requirements are county-specific.
Option C is incorrect because surrendering the commission is unnecessary. Option D is
incorrect because the address change notice to the Department of State is mandatory.
Q5: Which of the following individuals would be DISQUALIFIED from receiving a NYS Notary
Public commission under current law?
A. A 19-year-old college student with no criminal record
B. A non-U.S. citizen who is a lawful permanent resident of New York State
C. A person convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude whose civil rights have NOT been
restored
D. A licensed attorney who maintains an office in New Jersey but lives in New York State
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Executive Law § 130 requires "good moral character." A felony conviction involving
moral turpitude disqualifies an applicant unless their civil rights have been restored. Option A
is incorrect because 18 is the minimum age, so a 19-year-old qualifies. Option B is incorrect
because U.S. citizenship is not required—only residency or a place of business in NYS.
Option D is incorrect because an attorney may be commissioned and having a NJ office does
not disqualify if they maintain NYS residency.
Q6: A commissioned NYS Notary Public fails to file the required $20,000 bond with the county
clerk. What is the legal consequence?
A. The notary may perform acts but cannot charge fees
B. The notary's commission is invalid, and any notarial acts performed are voidable
C. The notary receives a warning letter but may continue practicing for 60 days
