What's happening
This bill raises the fees that notaries public in New York can charge for their services from two dollars to five dollars.
Why it matters
Increases potential earnings for notaries public. , which could help offset the costs of maintaining their commission, insurance, and ongoing training—potentially making the profession more financially sustainable and attractive.
May affect the cost of services for individuals and businesses. who need notary services for legal documents, real estate transactions, or other official paperwork, since the price for each notarized signature or oath will more than double.
Could impact access to notary services. for lower-income individuals, as higher fees might be a barrier for those who need documents notarized for immigration, housing, or court proceedings.
Aligns New York’s notary fee structure with those of other states. , potentially reducing inconsistencies for people who need documents notarized in multiple jurisdictions and helping standardize expectations for notarial services.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Raise Notary Public Fees
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to finance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Raise Notary Public Fees
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7205
IN SENATE
January 3, 2018
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to increasing the fees certain notaries public shall be entitled to
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 136 of the executive law, as amended by chapter 143 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
§ 136. Notarial fees. A notary public shall be entitled to the following fees:
1. For administering an oath or affirmation, and certifying the same when required, except where another fee is specifically prescribed by statute, [two] five dollars.
2. For taking and certifying the acknowledgment or proof of execution of a written instrument, by one person, [two] five dollars, and by each additional person, [two] five dollars, for swearing each witness thereto, [two] five dollars.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00496-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to increasing the fees certain notaries public shall be entitled to
Purpose
To increase the notary fee from $2.00 to $5.00 in the State of New York.
Summary of provisions
Section 136 of the Executive Law is amended to increase the notarial fees a notary public shall be entitled to from $2.00 to $5.00.
Justification
Public notaries are licensed professionals registered with the New York State Department of State (DOS). Notaries provide an important service by affirming, acknowledging and certifying legal documents. In 1991, the State authorized a $2.00 notary fee. Since that time, the fees that notaries themselves are responsible for have increased, including a $60 initial application fee, a $60 renewal fee which are required every four years, a $15 written examination fee, a $10 change of name or address fee, and a $10 duplicate license fee. The fee notaries can charge have remained the same for over twenty five years, yet the fees notaries have been charged have continually increased over that same period. Many other States already allow for higher fees such as Hawaii, the District of Columbia and California where fees range from $5 to $15.
Legislative history
2017: New Legislation
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.