A New York notary acknowledgment form is a form showing that a licensed representative from the State, known as a notary public, has authorized the signatures on a particular document. This process involves the notary verifying the signer’s identity and willingness to sign.
The notary then completes the form, providing their signature, licensing county, and commission expiry date. It’s not necessary for the signer to be present with the notary, and a seal or stamp is not mandatory in New York.
Legal Considerations
Statute: § 309, § 309A, and § 137.
Form of Acknowledgment: The certificate documenting the notarial act must include the identification of the jurisdiction and the title of the notarial officer. It may also feature the official stamp or seal of the office, along with the expiration date of the notary’s commission. (§ 309-A and § 309-B).
Notary Term of Commission: Four years. (§ 182.10)
Notary Handbook: Notary Public License Law (January 2023) consolidates regulations and obligations for notarial acts.
Is Online Notarization Legal in New York?
Yes, on February 25, 2022, the governor approved Senate Bill 7780, enabling notaries public in the state to notarize electronic documents remotely. This bill introduces a temporary version of Executive Law Section 135-c, valid until January 30, 2023, after which it will be replaced by a permanent version of the same section.
Starting January 31, 2023, new rules with extra stipulations for electronic notarizations will be implemented. For further details, please refer to the New York Department of State website.
How to Notarize
Step 1 – Locate a Notary Public
To find a notary public in New York, consider visiting banks and credit unions like Chase Bank and KeyBank, or UPS stores. Additionally, you can search an online directory for notaries available throughout the state.
Step 2 – Prepare the Document
Before notarization, ensure that all signature fields on the document requiring an acknowledgment are left blank.
Step 3 – Present Identification
When meeting with the notary, every signing party must present valid identification. The notary can proceed without ID only if they personally recognize a signer.
Step 4 – Sign the Document
Sign the document in the presence of the notary. For documents needing acknowledgment, signatures must be made with each signer declaring that they signed freely and without coercion.
Step 5 – Take an Oath
For certain notarial acts like jurats, signers may be required to take an oath or affirmation affirming the truthfulness of the document’s contents.
Step 6 – Get the Document Notarized
The notary public finalizes the process by signing and stamping the notarial certificate. This act completes the notarization. It’s crucial that signers appear in person for identity verification and to confirm their willing participation in the signing.
How to Verify a Notary
- Visit the New York State Notary Public Search page.
- You can search for notaries by name, commission number, or city. Fill in the necessary information and initiate the search.
- If a match is found, select the notary’s name to view their commission details, including name, commission number, expiration date, and county of commission.
How to Write (for Notary)
- Download a New York notary acknowledgment form, available in PDF or Word formats.
- Fill out the county where the acknowledgment is taking place, along with the date and the names of the signer(s). The names should match those on the document being acknowledged.
- The notary public should then fill in their name, title, and commission expiration date, sign the form, and affix their official seal or stamp.
