NY Notary Prep / NYS notary exam dates and schedule (2026)

NYS notary exam dates and schedule (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on the NY Department of State Notary Public License Law

The New York notary exam runs all year at about a dozen Department of State test sites. Outside New York City you simply walk in. In the city you need an appointment.

Short answer Outside NYC: walk-in, first come, first served, no pre-registration. In NYC: book by email at exams@dos.ny.gov. Dates are published in half-year PDF schedules on dos.ny.gov/become-notary-public. Always check the current PDF before you travel: dates and times can change.

Walk-in test sites (July to December 2026 schedule)

Albany	Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, 80 South Swan St.
Binghamton	State Office Building, 44 Hawley St.
Buffalo	Ellicott Square Building, 295 Main St., Room 845
Carmel (Putnam)	Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services, 112 Old Route 6
Franklin Square (Nassau)	VFW Hall, 68 Lincoln Rd.
Hauppauge (Suffolk)	Perry Duryea State Office Building, 250 Veterans Memorial Hwy
Plattsburgh	Clinton Community College
Pomona (Rockland)	Rockland County Fire Training Center
Rochester	Finger Lakes DDSO, 620 Westfall Rd.
Sanborn (Niagara)	SUNY Niagara
Syracuse	APWU Union Hall, North Syracuse
Utica	State Office Building, 207 Genesee St.

White Plains (Westchester County Center) appeared once on the 2026 schedule. New York City switched from walk-in dates in July and August to email appointments from the fall.

How often exams run

Most upstate sites offer 2 to 3 dates a month, usually with several sittings on each date. For example, Albany ran in October 2026 on the 8th, 21st and 29th, at 9:00 am, 10:30 am and 12:00 pm. The two Long Island sites, Franklin Square and Hauppauge, are the busiest with 6 to 9 dates a month. Plattsburgh runs about once a month or less.

New York City: book by email

The NYC exam is held at 123 William Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10038. To book, email exams@dos.ny.gov with the subject "Schedule Notary Public Exam", your full name, your address, the type of exam (Notary Public) and the date or dates you want. Only candidates who receive a confirmation can sit the exam.

NYC dates for November and December 2026: November 5, 17, 23 and 30; December 1, 3, 10, 15 and 22.

Before you go

Check the current schedule PDF on the morning of the exam. Weather and emergencies can cancel sessions: the Department of State posts cancellations on its website and social accounts, or call (518) 474-4429. Do not call the test site.
Bring a government photo ID with signature, the $15 fee (no cash) and two #2 pencils.
Arrive at least 15 minutes early. Late arrivals are not admitted, and walk-in seats are limited.

After the exam

Results arrive by mail, as pass or fail. A pass is valid for 2 years, which is the window you have to file your commission application. The steps are on how to become a notary in NY.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register for the NY notary exam?

Outside New York City, no. Exams are walk-in, first come, first served, and seats are limited. In New York City you must book in advance by emailing exams@dos.ny.gov and wait for a confirmation.

How often is the NY notary exam offered?

It depends on the site. Most upstate sites run two or three exam dates a month with several sittings per day. The Long Island sites (Franklin Square and Hauppauge) run up to six to nine dates a month.

Where can I find the official NY notary exam schedule?

The Department of State publishes the schedule as half-year PDF files on its Become a Notary Public page (dos.ny.gov/become-notary-public). The July to December 2026 schedule is current; the January to June 2027 schedule was not yet published in October 2026.

Where is the NYC notary exam held?

At 123 William Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10038, by email appointment only. Candidates without a confirmation are turned away.