How to become a New York State Notary Public and prepare for remote online notarization
Notary Ninjas, LLC created this guide for New Yorkers who want to become commissioned notaries, add electronic remote online notarization authority, and understand how BlueNotary fits into the process. The path usually begins with the traditional NYS Notary Public commission, then moves into electronic notary registration through the New York State Department of State, and finally platform onboarding with a provider such as BlueNotary.
Step 1: Become a traditional NYS Notary Public
Start with the standard New York notary commission. This usually means learning the Notary Public License Law, taking and passing the NYS notary exam unless exempt, completing the application, completing the oath of office, and submitting the required fee to the Department of State.
Step 2: Register for electronic notary authority
Once you hold a traditional commission, you can apply through the NYS online licensing system to register the capability to perform electronic notarial acts. Many people call this a RON certificate, but New York usually refers to electronic notary registration or electronic notary commission authority.
Step 3: Onboard with BlueNotary
BlueNotary is one platform that New York notaries may use for remote online notarization work if the platform and the notary workflow meet New York requirements. After you are ready to perform electronic notarizations, you can create your BlueNotary profile, complete platform onboarding, and prepare your NYS exemplar materials.
Part 1: How to become a New York State Notary Public
A New York State Notary Public is commissioned by the Secretary of State. Notarial duties may include taking acknowledgments, administering oaths and affirmations, taking affidavits and depositions, certifying certain written instruments, and performing other notarial acts authorized by New York law. Before you think about remote online notarization, you need to understand the traditional commission process.
The Department of State lists three core requirements for becoming a notary: submit a completed application and required fee, pass the New York State notary public examination unless exempt, and be a New York resident or have an office or place of business in New York State. NYS attorneys and certain Unified Court System court clerks are exempt from the written examination, but not from the application process.
Notary Ninjas strongly recommends studying the official NYS Notary Public License Law and taking practice questions before sitting for the exam. Our free NYS Notary Practice Test was built to help applicants study with a large question database, track knowledge gaps, and build confidence before paying for the official exam.
Traditional NYS notary checklist
- Review the NYS Notary Public License Law.
- Study the powers, restrictions, fees, misconduct rules, and terminology.
- Take practice questions before the official exam.
- Schedule or attend the NYS notary exam where applicable.
- Keep your original pass slip if you pass.
- Complete your application and oath of office.
- Submit the required state fee and application materials.
- Wait for the Department of State to issue your commission information.
NYS notary exam, fees, and application basics
The New York notary exam is designed to test your understanding of notary powers, proper procedures, disqualifications, misconduct, recordkeeping, and statutory limitations. It is not enough to memorize a few definitions. You should understand what a notary can do, what a notary cannot do, when a signer must appear, how identity is handled, and why a notary cannot provide legal advice.
As of the current NYS Department of State guidance reviewed for this page, common state fees include a $15 written exam fee, a $60 initial application fee, and a $60 renewal fee. Always confirm the latest amount on the official Department of State website before submitting payment because government fees and procedures can change.
After passing the exam, complete the application carefully. Your oath of office must be properly completed, and the Department of State may reject or delay an application if information is missing, inconsistent, or improperly submitted. Keep copies of your records and monitor your application through the online account where available.
Common exam topics to study
Practice questions help, but the official law and Department of State guidance should remain your primary authority.
Part 2: How to obtain NYS electronic notary authority for RON
Remote online notarization in New York is handled through electronic notarization rules. The notary and signer may be physically separated, but they must communicate simultaneously by sight and sound through authorized communication technology. The notary must be a registered electronic notary, and the notarization must be performed through technology that complies with New York requirements.
New York no longer permits the temporary remote ink notarization method that existed during and shortly after the COVID period. Since January 31, 2023, remote notarization in New York is electronic notarization, not a process where someone signs with wet ink and emails or mails the paper back to the notary for a traditional stamp.
To apply, log in to the NY Business Express or NYS licensing portal, select the notary application option, and choose the electronic notary path when available. You should already have your traditional commission information, your oath of office materials where required, and your selected electronic notarization technology provider information ready.
Electronic notary requirements to understand
- You must be a commissioned NYS Notary Public first.
- You must register the capability to perform electronic notarial acts with NYS.
- The notary must be physically located in New York at the time of the electronic notarization.
- The signer can be outside New York, subject to additional rules when outside the United States.
- The notary must identify the signer through an approved method.
- The session must use real-time audio and video communication when the signer appears remotely.
- The remote session must be recorded and retained as required.
- The notarial certificate must clearly state that the signer appeared through communication technology when applicable.
What people mean by a NYS RON certificate
Many notaries casually say they want a RON certificate. In practice, New York focuses on whether the notary is properly commissioned and registered to perform electronic notarial acts. Once approved, you may receive updated electronic notary commission information or an electronic commission number through the state system.
The important point is that RON is not just video chat. It requires compliant electronic signature technology, identity proofing or another authorized identification method, credential analysis where applicable, an electronic seal and signature, proper certificate wording, an electronic journal, and audiovisual recording retention.
Do not advertise remote online notarization services until your NYS authority and platform setup are ready. A traditional commission alone does not automatically mean you can perform electronic remote notarizations.
Remote signer location rules
New York guidance states that the notary must be in New York, but the signer does not necessarily have to be in New York. If the signer is outside the United States, additional confirmation is required about the connection to a U.S. matter, U.S. property, a U.S. transaction, or a matter before a U.S. public official, court, governmental entity, or other entity subject to U.S. jurisdiction.
This is one reason remote notarization should be handled carefully. The platform may provide the technology, but the notary remains responsible for following New York notarial law and refusing improper notarizations.
Part 3: How to register with BlueNotary as a New York online notary
BlueNotary is a remote online notarization platform used by many online notaries. New York does not recommend a particular provider, so the notary should confirm that any selected provider supports New York compliant electronic notarization workflows. If you choose BlueNotary, use the platform onboarding process and keep your New York requirements in mind from the beginning.
1Create your BlueNotary account
Start by creating a notary account with BlueNotary. Use your legal name consistently with your NYS commission records. Complete your profile, contact information, commission information, and any required identity or credential fields requested by the platform.
2Prepare your commission details
You should have your traditional NYS notary commission information available, and if applying for electronic notarization, your NYS electronic notary approval details when issued. Keep your commission name, county, expiration date, and commission or license identifiers consistent.
3Complete platform training or onboarding
BlueNotary may require onboarding steps before you can conduct sessions. This may include learning the dashboard, document upload process, session flow, identity verification tools, electronic signing process, and how completed notarizations are stored or downloaded.
4Set up your e-seal and e-signature
Electronic notarization requires a reliable electronic signature and electronic seal. Your electronic signature should be a digital version of your signature, not merely typed text. Confirm the platform setup matches the requirements for New York electronic notaries.
5Obtain your BlueNotary exemplar
New York electronic notaries must submit an exemplar. If you are using BlueNotary, you should obtain the BlueNotary exemplar materials showing your electronic signature, electronic seal, and digital credential provider information so the exemplar can be submitted through your NYS account when required.
6Submit or update your NYS exemplar
The NYS Department of State instructs electronic notaries to log in to NY Business Express and use the Start Exemplar Application option after the electronic notary commission has been issued. If you use more than one provider or later change providers, you may need to submit or update the exemplar.
What your NYS exemplar should contain
The exemplar is important because it connects your electronic notary identity to the electronic signature, seal, and digital credential technology you will use. New York says exemplars are required for electronic notaries only. The exemplar should include your electronic signature and seal, plus information about your digital credential service provider.
If BlueNotary is your selected platform, do not guess or manually create something that does not match your actual platform credentials. Use the exemplar process or documentation provided by BlueNotary so the information you submit to the state reflects the electronic tools you will actually use.
Keep copies of what you submit. If you later switch electronic notarization platforms, add an additional provider, or change your digital credential configuration, review whether your NYS exemplar must be updated.
Important platform warning
The NYS Department of State does not recommend a specific electronic notarization provider. Even if a platform markets services to New York notaries, the notary should confirm compliance and use the platform correctly.
Practical records to keep
- Traditional commission approval information
- Electronic notary approval information
- BlueNotary account and onboarding confirmations
- Exemplar submission confirmation
- Electronic journal access details
- Written platform compliance confirmation, if provided
Journal, audio-video recording, and recordkeeping duties
New York requires notaries to maintain a journal of notarial acts. Electronic notaries must also maintain records connected to electronic acts, including audio and video records of electronic notarizations. The official FAQ states that audiovisual recordings of electronic notarizations must be kept for at least 10 years.
A platform may help store records, but the notary should understand who controls access, how records are backed up, how to retrieve records if requested, and what happens if the notary stops using the platform. Do not treat platform storage as a substitute for understanding your legal recordkeeping obligations.
What notaries cannot do
Becoming a notary does not make someone an attorney, immigration consultant, real estate advisor, or legal document preparer. New York notaries must avoid the unauthorized practice of law. A notary cannot choose legal forms for a signer, explain legal consequences, tell someone what document they need, draft legal language unless independently authorized to do so, or tell someone whether signing is in their best interest.
This is especially important in remote online notarization because the process may feel automated. The technology does not remove the notary obligation to identify the signer, assess willingness, complete the correct notarial act, and refuse improper requests.
Recommended path from beginner to online notary
Why use the free Notary Ninjas practice test?
The official exam is not impossible, but it is easy to underestimate. Our free NYS Notary Practice Test was created to help applicants prepare with a larger and more practical question bank than basic study pages.
- Large question database with 300 questions and counting
- Built specifically around New York notary concepts
- Useful for quick review or deeper study sessions
- Free to use and designed for serious applicants
- Created by a technology-forward New York notary company
Official and helpful resources
Always confirm current rules, fees, and platform steps with the official source before applying or advertising RON services.
NYS Department of State, Become a Notary Public
Official requirements, fees, application steps, exam schedule, and oath of office information.
Open ResourceNYS Notary Public Frequently Asked Questions
Official electronic notarization, remote appearance, exemplar, journal, and platform guidance.
Open ResourceNYS Licensing Help
Helpful Department of State guidance for licensing questions and electronic notarization issues.
Open ResourceBlueNotary New York Online Notary Registration
BlueNotary platform guidance for New York notaries who want to onboard for online notarization work.
Open ResourceFrequently asked questions
Start with the free quiz
Before you pay for the official exam, study the basics and test yourself. Notary Ninjas built a free NYS Notary Practice Test for people who want a stronger start.
Use the quiz to practice now, then return to this page when you are ready to apply for electronic notary authority and BlueNotary onboarding.
Take the Free NYS Practice TestNeed help understanding the notary path?
Notary Ninjas, LLC is a technology-forward New York notary company that built free tools to help the public, including our NYS Notary Practice Test. We cannot take the exam for you or provide legal advice, but we can help point you toward the right resources and practical next steps.