Legal Division

While the Office of the Westchester County Clerk maintains records of all notaries public commissioned in Westchester County, we do not administer the application process. Instead, you must apply to the New York State Department of State. In order to do so, you must be at least 18 years old, be a citizen of the United States and either be a resident of the state of New York or have an office or place of business in New York state. If you meet the qualifications to apply to be a notary, you must: (1) pass the notary public examination; (2) submit a complete original application; and (3) submit a $60.00 fee to the Department of State. To prove that you have passed the notary public examination, you must submit your "pass slip" showing you have taken and passed the exam. In order to obtain an application, you must fax your request to the New York State Department of State at (518)473-6648 or call (212)417-5747.

The Notary Public Exam is a walk-in exam given regularly throughout New York State and based upon the information in the most recent Notary Public License Law Booklet. In Westchester, the exam is given at Westchester Community College and administered by the New York State Department of State. The next examination date is as follows:

March 28, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. and June 20, 2008 at 8:30 a.m.
Westchester Community College
75 Grasslands Road, Classroom Building, Room C200
Park in Lot #1 (Visitors Lot)
Please note that applicants will not be allowed to wait inside the facility prior to the exam.
Directions to Westchester Community College

In addition, the test is regularly administered at the following testing sites:

Newburgh
Orange Ulster BOCES, 471 Broadway, 2nd Floor
Tuesdays at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM

New York City
123 William Street, 19th Floor
Wednesdays at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM

For more information on the notary public examination, please visit the website of the New York State Department of State or call at (518)474-4429. Be sure to bring to the exam a state-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, two #2 pencils and a check for $15.00 payable to the "New York State Department of State". Cash will not be accepted.

An individual who is currently a member of the New York State Bar or a court clerk of the Unified Court System, appointed to that position after taking a Civil Service promotional examination may be appointed a notary public without an examination. Please contact the New York State Department of State with any questions regarding application to be a notary public under these provisions.