Anyone taken the ny notary public exam?

Just checking to see if you could give me a heads up... like is it as easy as the driving exam, or do I need to study?

Michael H. Pryor
Friday, December 19, 2003

You wanna be a notary public? I WANNA be a notary public.

This way next time I'm out of work, I can wander the subways during rush hour announcing "Ladies and Gentleman. I'm homeless. I am not asking for donations, I will perform a service. If you need documents notarized, I can notarize them for a nominal fee."

Then wander down the subway car saying "Notary... Get your documents notarized."

Finally, I'll degenerate into holding a cardboard sign "Will Notarize for Food" and go to Kinkos and get a Notary sign made up and hang it on my cardboard box.

www.MarkTAW.com
Saturday, December 20, 2003

No but seriously... every time I've needed a notary public I've had to walk a block to the bank and stand on line. We need someone in the office who can notarize documents. Most executive secretaries are notaries for this reason but Fog Creek is still too small to justify executive secretaries.

Joel Spolsky
Sunday, December 21, 2003

In all seriousness, from what I've heard, you do have to study. I think you have to attend specialized classes.

www.MarkTAW.com
Sunday, December 21, 2003

I'm a notary public, I took the exam about a year and a half ago.  Pretty much everything you need to know is here http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/notary1.htm  There are classes for it but I didn't take one.  You can download "Notary Public License Law" from http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/pdfs/notarylaw.pdf and read it over a few times the night before the exam. 

Hil.
Monday, December 22, 2003

I downloaded the law book and have read it through a couple of times.. just wanted to know if you had any pointers.

Like there are some statutes in there that say for example "Sherriffs cannot be notary publics" (well the statute says, sherriffs shall hold no other office, which I deduce to mean they can't also be a notary).  Is this the kind of stuff on the test? basically just memorize the booklet incl. the definitions at the back...

or is it situational questions like "Your friend has a mortgage and they need you to notarize it, but they can't be there in person.  Can they mail it to you and have you notarize their signature?"

Michael H. Pryor
Monday, December 22, 2003

Your first assumption was correct; the test is pretty much all excerpts from the booklet.  In fact, I think I got the sheriff question. 

Speaking of friends asking you to notarize their mortgages, etc.: they're gonna do it all the time. 

Hil.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003

When I worked in the financial district, there was actually a newspaper vendor on the next block who was a notary.  Free notarization with three boxes of juju bees.

Charles Lewis
Tuesday, December 30, 2003

I'm trying to decide if I can just go in and pass without studying.  With work, etc and my genuine lack of interest in law its pretty tough.  (I want to become a notary to help out at work). 

With not a lot of law knowledge is it possible to pass?  Or do I have to study hardcore, or just skim?  There isn't an essay part, correct, just mutiple choice? 

And I heard you can take it as many times as you want, for $15 each time.  If I fail first, can I take it again the following hour? Or do I have to wait.

MB
Wednesday, January 14, 2004

You should read the booklet you can download from that site, 3 times.  That should be enough studying.

Michael H. Pryor (fogcreek)
Friday, January 16, 2004

Do you have to sign up to take this exam? Or can you just show up at the time of the exam?

Nicole
Thursday, January 29, 2004

Nicole, You can register for the exam at the test center, on the day of the exam.
if you checked out the website, you would know that. lazy!!

Jill
Thursday, January 29, 2004

Jill I just found it on the Website myself after I asked the question.  Thank you for the help though.  I am going to pass this exam and you are going to fail.. Good Luck Sucka!

Nicole
Thursday, January 29, 2004

Does anyone know what subway is closet to 123 William Street in NYC and if there is anywhere close by that is cute for lunch?
Thanks!

Jill
Tuesday, February 3, 2004

I think the closest subway is the C to the  Broadway-Nassau/Fulton Street stop. 

Nicole
Tuesday, February 3, 2004

thank you Nicole, you sure are helpful and i bet real pretty. you better hope those looks of yours help you pass this test. good luck lady!!

Jill
Tuesday, February 3, 2004

Thanks for the support Jill.  Perhaps we should grab lunch after the exam? 

Nicole
Tuesday, February 3, 2004

Anytime Coley, do you mind if i call you Coley instead of Nicole?? lunch sounds great!!

Jill
Tuesday, February 3, 2004

Jill I was joking about lunch.  And please don't call me Coley.  I have decided against taking this exam any time in the near future for fear that you will be there waiting for me. 
Best regards,
Nicole

Nicole
Tuesday, February 3, 2004

Puppet shows are fun

Lou Franco
Tuesday, February 3, 2004

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE NY NOTARY PUBLIC LICENSE LAW DOWNLOADED INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IN SIMPLE, EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND ENGLISH???? SO THAT I DON'T HAVE TO TAKE A CLASS? I HEARD ITS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET SOMEWHERE i.e. CRIB OR CHEAT SHEETS??

LILA
Thursday, February 5, 2004

Yah, um.. that link in like the 3rd post in this thread is the book you need to read.

It's in english.  Just read the sentences a few times slowly and you'll understand them.  The legalese isn't too bad.

Michael H. Pryor
Fog Creek Software
Friday, February 6, 2004

The plain simple non legalese manual is the NY notary law primer at www.notarytrainer.com.  The best manual I have found for preparing for hte exam.  The site also has sample test questions which helped me to study for the exam which I passed on the first try no help to the state's info.

Dianna

Dianna
Friday, February 6, 2004

Hi everyone, just though I would share this website http://www.notarypublicinstitute.com/quiz/sampletest.html
it is a free sample test, it only has 10 questions but I found it helpful.

Leah
Wednesday, February 18, 2004

I'm planning on taking the exam ASAP. I was just wondering what your ages are and if you had law related or college education. Also wondering if any of the recent posters had taken the exam and how it was...

Jeanne
Tuesday, February 24, 2004

The first link on the 3 posting does not work.  Can someone please post the correct link? 

Frances
Sunday, March 21, 2004

Does anyone of you know if you have to be a U.S. citizen to be a notary public? Shouldn't the permanent residence suffice? Thanks alot.

Damian Kasprzyk
Thursday, June 3, 2004

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