Become a notary

New York Department of State

Become a notary in New York

Notaries in New York are commissioned by the New York Department of State. Apply there first. StampSide is a public page after you have used their process. The Department of State publishes a search for commissioned NYS notaries. The official listing includes a traditional-or-electronic commission type field.

Official New York registerRegister on StampSide

Where to register

Applications go to the New York Department of State. Open their page for the current application, not a StampSide form.

Requirements

What the official page states. If a topic is missing here, that page did not spell it out.

Exam
Pass the New York State notary public examination. NYS attorneys and Unified Court System court clerks are exempt.
Residency
Resident of New York, or an office or place of business in New York.
Term
Four years.
Fees (as posted)
Initial application $60; written exam $15; renewal $60. Pay by check, money order, or Mastercard/Visa. Do not send cash.

How to get started

  1. Pass the written exam unless exempt

    DOS publishes the exam schedule (including July–December 2026 when we read the page).

  2. Complete the Oath of Office form

    Download DOS-2201, complete it, and have a scanned PDF ready before you start the online application.

  3. Apply on NY Business Express

    Choose traditional or electronic notary. You can check status in the account.

  4. Register on StampSide

    After you use the New York Department of State site, create a public page: photo, where you work, and how clients reach you. You can appear in the New York directory. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.

Tools after you apply

Official pages and named suppliers already listed in this product. Checkout is on their site — StampSide does not sell stamps.

  • Supplies

    After DOS commissions you, use a named supplier for a New York–specific seal.

    StampSide supplies list

  • More suppliers

    Notary Rotary, Notary.net, and the National Notary Association are on the supplies list. State-specific seals only.

    StampSide supplies list

More official pages

Remote / electronic notarization

The Business Express apply screen distinguishes traditional notary and electronic notary.

Register, then getting started

StampSide does not commission you — the New York Department of State does, on the official site above. Register here for a public page. After you sign up, getting started walks through a photo, your commission when you have it, and an email signature for cards and mail. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.

RegisterCreate your page

After you are commissioned

Appear in the New York directory. Closers and the public still confirm standing on the official site.

Create your pageNew York listingsNew York hub

Other jurisdictions: all state guides · quiz · Train your eye.