NY Notary Prep/ NY notary exam cheat sheet: the numbers to know cold
NY notary exam cheat sheet: the numbers to know cold
Updated October 2026 · Based on the NY Department of State Notary Public License Law
Most points on the New York notary exam are won or lost on exact numbers. Here they all are, grouped by theme, straight from the official booklet. Study it, quiz yourself, then leave it at home: no notes are allowed in the exam room.
The exam
Length
1 hour, multiple choice, paper
Fee
$15 per attempt, no cash
Pencils
two #2, not provided
Arrive
15 minutes early, late arrivals refused
Pass valid for
2 years
Languages besides English
6: Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Italian, Korean, Russian, Chinese
The commission
Term
4 years, valid statewide
Application or renewal
$60 = $40 appointment + $20 oath filing
$20 sent to the county clerk by
the 10th day of the following month
Renew early
up to 90 days before expiry
Qualifying requirements waived
up to 6 months after expiry, or 1 year after military discharge
Report change of name, address, email
within 5 days
Change fee / duplicate card
$10 (name change from marriage or divorce: free)
Electronic notary registration
$60
What a notary may charge (maximum)
Oath or affirmation
$2
Acknowledgment or proof
$2 per person
Swearing a witness
$2
Electronic notarial act
$25
Protest
75 cents, plus 10 cents per notice, max 5 notices
Oath of office to a public officer
no fee
Overcharging
treble damages, possible removal and prosecution
County clerk and Secretary of State
Certificate of official character (Secretary of State)
$1
Filing it with another county clerk
$10
Certificate issued by county clerk with seal
$5
County clerk authentication of signature
$3
Records and electronic acts
Keep records of all notarial acts
10 years
Keep e-notary audio-video recording
at least 10 years
Notary's location during an e-act
physically in New York State
Seal
not required in New York
Ink for printed name block
black
Penalties
Advertising violation
up to $1,000; 2nd violation: suspension; 3rd: removal
False certificate of acknowledgment
forgery 2nd degree, class D felony, up to 7 years
Issuing a false certificate
class E felony, up to 4 years
Official misconduct
class A misdemeanor, up to 1 year
Acting before filing the oath
misdemeanor
Other numbers
Safe deposit box opened after unpaid rent
30 days after notice; copy to lessee within 10 days
Lease excluded from "conveyance"
3 years or less
Defective act cure, knowledge limit ends
6 months after the act
Sunday
oaths, affidavits, acknowledgments OK; no civil deposition
Knowing the numbers is half the exam. The other half is the definitions and scenarios: test both on the free practice test.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring a cheat sheet to the NY notary exam?
No. Books, notes and reference materials are not allowed in the exam room. Use this sheet to study before the exam.
What numbers are on the NY notary exam?
Fees ($2 oath and acknowledgment, $25 electronic act, $15 exam, $60 commission, $10 changes), deadlines (5 days to report a change, 90 days to renew early), terms (4-year commission, 2-year exam validity, 10-year records) and penalties.