What's happening
This bill increases the maximum fees New York notaries public can charge from two dollars to five dollars per act.
Why it matters
Raises potential costs for individuals and businesses. Anyone needing notarized documents—such as for real estate, legal, or business purposes—will see a direct increase in fees, which could especially impact people who require frequent notarization.
May affect access for low-income residents. Higher fees could be a barrier for those with limited resources who need official documents notarized for immigration, housing, employment, or legal matters.
Could incentivize more people to become notaries. The higher allowable fee could make the notary public role more financially attractive, potentially increasing the availability of notarial services, especially in underserved areas.
Reflects adjustment for inflation and service value. The fee increase updates a rate that has remained unchanged for decades, acknowledging both the increased cost of living and the value of notarial services in ensuring document authenticity and fraud prevention.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Increase Notary Fees
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to finance
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7338
IN SENATE
January 21, 2020
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.
LBD14235-01-9
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
5.7205 (Hoylman) of 2018: Died in Finance Committee
A.5509 (Thiele) of 2017-2018: Died in Governmental Operations
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.