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Please read this first We work to keep state commissioning information current, but requirements, fees, and forms can change faster than we can update this page. Confirm every step with the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services using the official links below before you apply. This article is a checklist, not legal advice. |
Overview
New York commissions notaries through the Department of State. Executive Law § 135-c authorizes electronic notarial acts, including remote online notarization, after you register as an electronic notary. An electronic notary commission authorizes both electronic remote online notarial services and traditional notary services. Once the e-notary license is issued, the traditional license is automatically cancelled.
Use this page as a checklist of where to go and what to complete. Follow the Department of State’s current instructions if anything here differs from the official site.
For a U.S. overview of remote online notary authorization, see the National Notary Association’s How to Become a Remote Online Notary. Follow the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services’s instructions if anything differs.
Who Can Apply
To be commissioned as a New York notary public, you must meet all of the following:
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Start Here: Traditional Commission, Then Electronic Notary
You must be a notary public to register as an electronic notary. Apply for traditional or electronic notary in NY Business Express. Existing traditional notaries apply for an electronic notary public commission rather than “changing” the license type.
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Read the official notary pages Open Become a Notary Public and Notary Public Frequently Asked Questions. |
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Apply online for a traditional notary commission Use NY Business Express, search for Notary, and pay the $60 initial application fee (plus $15 exam if required). |
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If you already hold a traditional New York commission, register as an electronic notary before the first remote electronic act In NY Business Express, apply for an Electronic Notary Public commission, then submit the exemplar after the e-notary license is issued. |
Part 1: Traditional New York Notary Commission
Skip this section if you already hold an unexpired New York notary public commission. You still must register as an electronic notary before remote electronic notarial acts.
Checklist
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Review the official how-to Become a Notary Public and Notary Public Frequently Asked Questions. |
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Complete traditional notary education Pass the written notary public examination unless you are exempt. Exam results are valid two years. The exam fee is $15. |
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Obtain a surety bond Not listed on the official Become a Notary Public fee list as a required surety bond. |
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Submit the traditional application Complete the Oath of Office, apply on NY Business Express, and pay the $60 initial application fee. Do not mail a duplicate application unless the Department asks for documents. |
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Receive the identification card After approval, the Department issues an identification card with name, address, county, and commission term. The Secretary of State forwards the commission, oath, and signature to the county clerk of residence. |
Part 2: Online (RON) Commission
Electronic notarization uses commercially available software that complies with Department of State regulations (19 NYCRR Part 182). The notary must be physically located in New York. Remote ink notarization is not permitted after January 31, 2023. Keep an audio-visual recording of each electronic notarization for at least 10 years.
Have these ready
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Checklist
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Read the official online-notary instructions Notary Public Frequently Asked Questions (Remote Notarization FAQs), Executive Law § 135-c, and 19 NYCRR Part 182. |
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Complete online notary education Not listed on Become a Notary Public as a separate required DOS RON course. Complete any training your software provider requires. The traditional written exam remains a Part 1 requirement unless you are exempt. |
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Start the online commission application On NY Business Express, search for Notary and apply for an Electronic Notary Public commission. Existing traditional notaries find their record and proceed with electronic notary registration. |
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Sign with a digital certificate Use a reliable electronic signature as 19 NYCRR 182.4 requires. Provider charges are separate from DOS fees. |
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Upload your electronic seal After the e-notary commission is issued, submit the Exemplar Application from your NY Business Express dashboard. |
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Pay and submit Confirm the current DOS filing fee in NY Business Express. The published fee list on Become a Notary Public lists $60 for an initial application and $60 for renewal and does not print a separate electronic-notary dollar amount. Do not perform electronic notarial acts until the e-notary license is issued and the exemplar is submitted as the dashboard requires. |
After You Are Commissioned
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Once the e-notary license is issued, the traditional notary license is automatically cancelled. Remote ink notarization is not available.
Fees Listed by the Department of State
Amounts are from Become a Notary Public. Confirm them in NY Business Express before you pay. Software and certificate costs are extra. Do not send cash. A $20 fee is charged for a check returned by the bank.
| Item | Listed amount |
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| Written exam | $15 (attorneys and qualifying court clerks are exempt from the exam) |
| Electronic notary / RON course | Not listed as a separate DOS course fee on Become a Notary Public |
| Traditional / electronic notary application | $60 initial; $60 renewal (confirm any electronic-notary amount in NY Business Express) |
| Name/address change | $10 (no fee if the name change is from a change in marital status) |
| Surety bond | Not listed on the official Become a Notary Public fee list as required |
Official New York Links
| Resource | Where to go |
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| Become a Notary Public | dos.ny.gov/become-notary-public |
| Notary Public FAQs | dos.ny.gov/notary-public-frequently-asked-questions |
| NY Business Express | businessexpress.ny.gov |
| Division of Licensing Services | (518) 474-4429 |
Common Questions
Q: Can I apply for the online commission first?
A: You must be a notary public to be an electronic notary. New applicants may choose traditional notary or electronic notary in NY Business Express. Existing traditional notaries apply for an electronic notary public commission; they cannot simply change the license type.
Q: Does New York approve a list of RON platforms?
A: Use commercially available software that complies with Department of State regulations. The official Become a Notary Public page does not publish an endorsement list of vendors.
Q: Where can I confirm a fee or form changed?
A: Use Become a Notary Public and Notary Public Frequently Asked Questions.
Last Updated: August 26, 2026 | Author: Customer Success Team | Version: v1.0
