How to Become a New York Notary in 2026
New York requires a written notary exam ($15) and a $60 filing fee. No bond required. Mandatory recordbook since January 2023. Add NSA training to earn $75–$200 per signing in one of the highest-volume markets in the US.
Commission Cost
~$115 – $155
NSA-Ready Cost
~$380 – $770
NSA Signing Fee
$75 – $200
Mobile NSA Avg
$70,868/yr
Written exam required — at every renewal
New York requires a written notary exam ($15) for both new applications and 4-year renewals — unlike most states that waive the exam for experienced notaries.
Mandatory recordbook since January 25, 2023
All New York notaries must maintain a recordbook documenting every notarial act. Records must be retained for 10 years. Previously voluntary — now mandatory by law.
Best New York Notary Training Programs (2026)
1. NNA (New York Package)Best Exam Prep + Supplies
NNA starts at $85 for New York — the lowest entry price of all NNA state packages (no bond = less to bundle). Includes mandatory recordbook/journal, NNA Hotline, and exam prep tools. Verify exact package pricing at nationalnotary.org/new-york/become-a-notary.
From $85
Verify at NNA
2. Loan Signing System (LSS)Best NSA Training
#1 rated NSA training — 100,000+ students. NYC metro is one of the highest-volume NSA markets in the US. $347 one-time or 4x$97/mo.
$347
Six Figure
3. NNA NSA CertificationIndustry Standard
Background screening + NSA certification required by most NY title companies and signing services. $199 (background + training) or $299 (adds NNA membership).
$199
or $299
Best New York Notary Training Programs
All 2 schools are New York New York Department of State-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
NNA NSA Certification
Industry Standard CredentialStarting at
$199
- Industry-standard background check required by most title companies
- NSA Certification Training and Exam (80%+ passing)
- Listing on SigningAgent.com directory included
- Mark Wills recommends getting BOTH LSS certification AND NNA certification
Available Packages (2)
Background Screening + Training
- Background Screening (required by mortgage industry)
- NSA Certification Training and Exam
- Listing on SigningAgent.com
Loan Signing System (LSS) - Mark Wills
Best NSA Training CourseStarting at
$347
- #1 rated NSA training course - 100,000+ students nationwide
- New York City metro is one of the highest-volume NSA markets in the US
- Includes LSS Certification recognized by title companies
- 4 months LIVE 1:1 mentorship + biweekly coaching calls
- 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days
Available Packages (1)
Six Figure Course
- NSA Training + LSS Certification
- 9-Step Notary Business Blueprint
- Video walkthroughs of all 5 loan signing types
- 4 months mentorship + coaching calls
- 300+ companies hiring signing agents
- Payment plan: 4 x /month
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
What Makes New York's Notary Path Unique?
New York notaries are commissioned by the NYSDOS Division of Licensing Services under Executive Law Article 6. New York stands out from most states in 4 ways:
Written exam required
AND at every renewal
$15 exam fee at NYSDOS offices
No surety bond
Unlike most states
Lowers startup cost significantly
Mandatory recordbook
Since Jan 25, 2023
10-year retention required
NYC = #1 NSA market
$66K–$70K avg salary
Premium fees in NYC/Long Island
How Much Do New York Notary Signing Agents Earn?
ZipRecruiter NY NSA
$66,821/yr
Nov 2025
ZipRecruiter Mobile NSA
$70,868/yr
Jan 2026
NYC/LI Premium
$125 – $200+
Per signing appointment
Source: ZipRecruiter (Nov 2025, Jan 2026), Salary.com (Dec 2025). Salary.com's $42,561 reflects part-time operators; ZipRecruiter better reflects active full-time practitioners.
| Market | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| New York City | $125 – $200+ |
| Long Island (Nassau/Suffolk) | $100 – $175 |
| Westchester County | $125 – $200 |
| Hudson Valley | $100 – $175 |
| Buffalo / WNY | $75 – $150 |
How to Become a New York Notary — Step by Step
Study for and pass the New York notary exam
New York requires a written notary exam ($15 fee) at NYSDOS offices. No mandatory pre-license hours — study using NNA exam prep materials (interactive lessons + practice tests). Note: exam required again at every 4-year renewal.
Submit application and $60 to NYSDOS
Submit your completed notary public application with the $60 fee to the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services at dos.ny.gov. No surety bond required.
Purchase recordbook (mandatory) and notary stamp (recommended)
Recordbook is mandatory since January 25, 2023 — must document every notarial act and retain records for 10 years. Notary stamp is not legally required but expected in professional settings.
Add NSA training to unlock loan signing income
Loan Signing System ($347) for comprehensive NSA training + NNA background check ($199 — required by most NYC and Long Island title companies) + E&O insurance ($100,000, ~$100-$250/yr).
Set up signing platform profiles
Create profiles on Snapdocs (largest platform), Notary Rotary, 123Notary, and SigningOrder. For NYC/Long Island, building direct relationships with local title companies produces the highest per-signing fees.
New York Notary Requirements at a Glance
Commission Requirements
- Age 18+; NY resident or NY place of business/employment
- US citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Written notary exam ($15) — required at every renewal
- Application fee: $60
- No surety bond required
- Recordbook/journal — mandatory (Jan 25, 2023)
- 4-year commission term
Regulator
- Agency: NYSDOS, Division of Licensing Services
- Website: dos.ny.gov/licensing
- Statute: NY Executive Law, Article 6
- RON statute: Real Property Law § 298-a (eff. Jan 31, 2023)
- Recordbook statute: Effective January 25, 2023
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Frequently Asked Questions — New York Notary
Does New York require an exam to become a notary?
Yes. New York is one of a small number of states that requires a written notary exam. The exam fee is $15, administered at NYSDOS offices. Unlike most states, New York also requires the exam at every 4-year renewal — there is no waiver for experienced notaries.
Do I need a surety bond to become a New York notary?
No. New York does not require a surety bond for notary commission — one of very few states with no bond requirement. This significantly reduces startup costs.
What is the mandatory recordbook requirement in New York?
Effective January 25, 2023, all New York notaries must maintain a recordbook documenting every notarial act. Records must be retained for 10 years. This was a significant change — journals were previously voluntary for most New York notaries.
How long is a New York notary commission?
A New York notary commission lasts 4 years. At renewal, you must retake the written exam ($15) and pay the $60 renewal fee. Unlike most states, there is no exam waiver for experienced notaries renewing their commission.
How much does it cost to become a New York notary?
Basic commission cost: ~$115-$155 ($15 exam + $60 application + $25-50 notary stamp + $15-30 recordbook). No bond required. NSA-ready total: ~$380-$770 (add LSS training $347, NNA background check $65, E&O insurance $100-250/yr).
What is a Notary Signing Agent and how much do they earn in New York?
A Notary Signing Agent (NSA) facilitates real estate loan closings — earning $75-$200 per appointment vs. per-act fees for standard notarizations. ZipRecruiter data (Nov 2025-Jan 2026) shows New York NSAs averaging $66,821-$70,868/year. NYC and Long Island operators with strong title company relationships consistently earn $80,000-$150,000+.
Why does NNA start at $85 for New York?
New York has no surety bond requirement and no mandatory pre-license education hours — just the state exam. With nothing to bundle, NNA's New York packages start at $85 (journal + hotline), making it the lowest entry price of all NNA state packages. This reflects NY's minimal commission requirements.
How does Remote Online Notarization (RON) work in New York?
New York permits RON under Real Property Law § 298-a (effective January 31, 2023). To perform RON, you must register with an approved RON technology provider and comply with the technical and procedural requirements. RON allows you to notarize for signers anywhere — no travel required, with signings typically paying $75-$150 each.
Does a New York notary need a seal or stamp?
New York law does not technically require notaries to use a seal or stamp, but it is widely considered best practice and is expected in professional settings including real estate transactions. Most notaries purchase a stamp as standard practice.
How do I get clients as a New York notary signing agent?
Most New York NSAs start with Snapdocs (largest platform), Notary Rotary, 123Notary, and SigningOrder. The NYC metro market is extremely high-volume but also competitive — building direct relationships with local title companies and escrow offices in Long Island, Westchester, and outer boroughs provides more consistent income than platform-only work.
Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources:
Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board before enrolling or submitting any application. Learn how we source our data.