New York (NY)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research New York notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference New York notary details against the official state database.
Visit New York Official Notary Database
How to Research a New York Notary
1. Go to https://dos.ny.gov/search-commissioned-nys-notaries-public
2. Search for the notary by name.
3. Verify the commission number and expiration date match.
2. Search for the notary by name.
3. Verify the commission number and expiration date match.
How to Verify a New York Notary's Signature
New York notaries file their signature specimen with the County Clerk in the county where they qualified.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the County Clerk's office in the county where the notary was commissioned.
2. The public may access the signature on file and compare it against the signature on your document.
3. The County Clerk can authenticate the notary's signature and issue a Certificate of Official Character. Note: the signature on the document must match the specimen on file exactly.
NYS Dept. of State: https://dos.ny.gov/notary-public-frequently-asked-questions
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the County Clerk's office in the county where the notary was commissioned.
2. The public may access the signature on file and compare it against the signature on your document.
3. The County Clerk can authenticate the notary's signature and issue a Certificate of Official Character. Note: the signature on the document must match the specimen on file exactly.
NYS Dept. of State: https://dos.ny.gov/notary-public-frequently-asked-questions
Verifying Older New York Documents
County Clerks maintain historical notary commission and signature records even after a commission has expired.
1. Contact the County Clerk in the county where the notary was commissioned.
2. Alternatively, contact the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, for archived commission records.
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Contact the County Clerk in the county where the notary was commissioned.
2. Alternatively, contact the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, for archived commission records.
Commission term: 4 years.
New York Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
New York does not require notaries to use a stamp or seal. However, the notary must print, typewrite, or stamp certain identifying information beneath their signature on every notarized document.
Required information (Executive Law § 137):
- Must appear beneath the notary's signature in black ink:
* Notary's name
* "Notary Public State of New York"
* County in which the notary originally qualified
* Commission expiration date
- This information may be handwritten, typed, or applied via a stamp
- Since a stamp is not required, the absence of a stamp impression on a New York notarization is normal — look for the required text information instead
- If a stamp is used, it typically includes the above elements in a rectangular format
Required information (Executive Law § 137):
- Must appear beneath the notary's signature in black ink:
* Notary's name
* "Notary Public State of New York"
* County in which the notary originally qualified
* Commission expiration date
- This information may be handwritten, typed, or applied via a stamp
- Since a stamp is not required, the absence of a stamp impression on a New York notarization is normal — look for the required text information instead
- If a stamp is used, it typically includes the above elements in a rectangular format
Contacting a New York Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
New York — Contacting the Notary for Verification
New York does not require notaries to maintain a journal or record book, although it is strongly recommended by the Department of State. As a result, journal records may not exist for a given notarization.
What can be requested:
- If the notary voluntarily maintains a journal, you may request confirmation of whether a journal entry exists for a specific notarization.
- Certificate of Official Character: The County Clerk where the notary qualified can issue a Certificate of Official Character confirming the notary held a valid commission at a given time.
- Signature authentication: The County Clerk can compare the signature on your document against the specimen signature on file and issue an authentication certificate.
Key considerations:
- Since journals are not required, a notary may have no records to produce, and there is no statutory obligation to respond to informal requests.
- A subpoena can compel the notary to testify or produce any records they do maintain.
- New York does not require notaries to take thumbprints.
- The County Clerk's office is often the most productive avenue for verification, as they maintain the notary's oath, signature specimen, and commission records.
- Contact: NYS Dept. of State, Division of Licensing Services — (518) 474-4429
Relevant statutes: Executive Law §§ 130–137; County Law § 534
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
New York does not require notaries to maintain a journal or record book, although it is strongly recommended by the Department of State. As a result, journal records may not exist for a given notarization.
What can be requested:
- If the notary voluntarily maintains a journal, you may request confirmation of whether a journal entry exists for a specific notarization.
- Certificate of Official Character: The County Clerk where the notary qualified can issue a Certificate of Official Character confirming the notary held a valid commission at a given time.
- Signature authentication: The County Clerk can compare the signature on your document against the specimen signature on file and issue an authentication certificate.
Key considerations:
- Since journals are not required, a notary may have no records to produce, and there is no statutory obligation to respond to informal requests.
- A subpoena can compel the notary to testify or produce any records they do maintain.
- New York does not require notaries to take thumbprints.
- The County Clerk's office is often the most productive avenue for verification, as they maintain the notary's oath, signature specimen, and commission records.
- Contact: NYS Dept. of State, Division of Licensing Services — (518) 474-4429
Relevant statutes: Executive Law §§ 130–137; County Law § 534
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.