Notaries must avoid Conflicts of Interest If you want to become a Notary in New York, be aware that as a notary public, we are regulated by a standard of ethics. As such, we are obligated to conduct ourselves in an honorable way. So, notaries must avoid conflicts of interest. Therefore, when a conflict of interest does arise, we should not notarize the document. In an effort to assure we don’t enter into a potential dispute, we need to familiarize ourselves with the ethical standards for notaries. Let’s face it. We hold a very special post with our given state. So, we should not forget that we ..read more

Here are a few more New York Notary Exam questions. These are in addition to our previous blog that also reflects the types of questions potentially asked. Now, we don’t know what you will be specifically on your test. But, we do know what the State is looking for, in terms of your knowledge. As stated in our previous blog, all the test questions derive from the New York State Notary License law. If you want to download a copy of the law, visit the New York State’s website.  Once there, scroll down to the link – Laws, Rules and Regulations. You will find a downloadable file in PDF format ..read more

People often ask us, “How difficult is the New York Notary Exam.” Well, that depends on the individual, and how much they study. The New York Notary Exam is a rather difficult test to pass. It covers a wide range of subjects connected to the performance of a New York State Commissioned Notary. Additionally, the examination itself contains 40 questions. These questions are multiple-choice. The entire exam must be completed within a two hour period. You may find it easier to take an exam preparation course. Feel free to read our article on Picking Your Notary Training Course. Exam Format The tes ..read more

A Notary and Confidentiality Anyone who wants to become a Notary Public must know that a Notary and Confidentiality go hand-in-hand. As notaries, we have a responsibility to respect the privacy of our customers. The documents we service should remain in the strictest of confidence. It is part of our duty as a public official. Just like an accountant or a banker would not discuss his or her client dealings in a casual manner, neither should we.   Confidentiality in the Workplace Our opening statements are common sense. But here is where things get tricky. Let’s say you are an employee, and ..read more

Your Signer has Power of Attorney There are moments that could arise where your signer has power of attorney. As such, you are notarizing the document for the representative of a specific person. There are certain circumstances in which a person may have power of attorney. Power of attorney gives a person control over specific aspects of their life. Such a person is also called “the attorney in fact.” Situations where power of attorney may exist Maybe a parent is getting older and is no longer able to deal with their finances. Someone may be in the armed forces and is deployed overseas, thus ..read more

The Notary and the Employer You might provide notarial services solely in the workplace. Additionally, you may provide service outside the workplace. But, there must be an understood relationship between the notary and the employer. As a notary, one must act in accordance with the laws of the State. At times, an employer may request you to perform in inappropriate notarization. If you aspire to become a notary public in New York, or in any state, keep reading. Let’s remember that the notary is subject to liability. This is why there must be a clear understanding between the notary the employer ..read more

Picking Your Notary Training Course Okay. You want to become a notary public. So, when picking you notary training course, there are certain criteria you should be aware of. It is important that you choose a provider who presents a program that will make sure you are fully prepared to pass the exam. Let’s look at some of the important things you should look for when choosing a training program.   Important aspects of picking a notary training program Make sure the exam is specific to your State. Every State has various nuances to its notary laws. Certainly, it is imperative that your tr ..read more

When a Notary client is Not Present You may ask, Can I notarize a document if the client is not present. The answer is YES and NO. It depends on the State in which you are commissioned. Where the answer is YES, there is a huge “BUT.” The client must sign the document in front of a Subscribing Witness. This person then signs a document that states that they have witnessed the signing of the absent person. The notary would issue an oath to the subscribing witness, where they swear that they watched the client sign the document. Rules for Accepting a Subscribing Witness Again, the subscribing ..read more

Notary Discipline There is something you should know if you wish to become a notary public in New York. Notaries public are subject to notary discipline. Yes, all notaries know this. But, anyone who wishes to become a notary public needs to understand the sanctions imposed for misconduct. So, in New York, notary misconduct can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the nature of the transgression.   Case Study One of the more serious sanctions a notary can face is the revocation or suspension of his or her commission. If a notary commits fraud, the consequences are even more serious ..read more

If you wonder what to record in a notary journal, allow me to put you at ease. Most commercial journals have the necessary categories already printed for you. This facilitates your need to remember every critical item to record. However, it is important that whatever journal you purchase has specific information. Let’s review them.   Information to Record in a Notary Journal The time and date of the notarization The method of identification that the constituent presents to you The specific location where the notarization took place The type of document that you are notarizing The consti ..read more