On the Documented’s Community team, we have seen many times that community members need a notary on different occasions. While New York State capped the notary fee at $2 per person, community members have told us that some storefronts in Chinatown charge more than the capped fee.
To explain what immigrant community members could expect when requesting a notary service, Documented interviewed Marcy Tiberio, the founder of New York Notary Alliance.
Here’s the guide on where you can find the service in New York City, what to expect, and how to become one yourself.
What is a notary?
Notary services come up at many points in immigrants’ lives. Certain documents require an impartial witness, commissioned by the state government, to confirm your identity and that you signed them yourself.
According to the city’s information portal 311, “in some Spanish-speaking countries, a notario público is a legal advisor, but in the United States, a Notary Public is not and may not give legal advice, draft legal papers, or review documents for legality.” For more information, check out this card.
When do I need a notary?
You’ll typically need a notary when a legal document has to be held up later. For example, a contract, buying or selling a house, transferring an apartment lease, setting up a will or a trust or documents with dual languages without a translator’s affirmation.
Tiberio mentioned a notary can also be a witness, something that some documents require too: “A health care proxy isn’t notarized. It just has witnesses. The notary could act as a witness in that space, but it’s not required. Anyone can be a witness to that document.”
If Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) takes a family member into a detention center, you will likely need a power of attorney (POA), a document that authorizes someone to act on another person’s behalf when that person can’t act for themselves. For more on how POA works in detention cases, see our guide.
How does notarize work?
You can get a document notarized both online and in person in New York State. When preparing for your notary appointment, you should bring a list of things:
- You will need a valid government-approved photo ID. This can be your passport, driver’s license, or IDNYC.
- The documents you wish to notarize.
- If there are other individuals who will be signing the document, make sure they are present and bring their photo ID as well.
- Payment.
How much can a notary legally charge me in New York State?
New York State law caps each notarization at $2: one document is $2; four documents are $8. A notary can charge less but not more. This law does not apply to the notary’s traveling fee, which can vary.
Online notarization caps at $25 per notarization.
If you were charged more than the legal limit, you can file a complaint with the state. If the misconduct causes financial damage or serious harm, you can seek legal advice to take further action. The New York Notary Alliance can also point you toward the right place to report a notary, free of charge, though the group does not provide legal assistance.
Where can I get a document notarized?
Public libraries
New York Public Library Kips Bay branch offers free notary services by appointment up to two weeks in advance. Appointments are available on Monday mornings and Wednesdays afternoons only. To book your appointment click here. For more information, such as what documents they can notarize, check here.
Brooklyn Public Library offers free notary services in many locations by appointment one day in advance:
- Adams Street
- Bay Ridge
- Bedford Learning Center
- Cortelyou
- Cypress Hills
- DeKalb
- Flatlands
- Gerritsen Beach
- Highlawn
- Paerdegat
- Red Hook (Interim Site)
- Rugby
- Saratoga
- Sunset Park
- Williamsburgh
It’s important to know they only notarize up to three documents per day, and notaries cannot provide legal advice, draft documents, nor interpret content. For more information, check their page on notary reservations. To schedule an appointment, click here.
New York County Clerk’s office
The office will only notarize documents written in the English language. There is a 5-document limit per customer.
Contact email: nycc-notary-two@nycourts.gov
Phone: (646) 386-5932
Location: 60 Centre Street, Room 141B, New York, NY, 10007
The Notary Department does not notarize the following documents:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Deeds
- Documents that require witnesses
- Documents with dual languages without a Translators Affidavit
Banks
Many major banks like Bank of America or Chase usually provide free notary services in many of their local branches to their customers.
You can schedule an appointment at a Bank of America branch here.
Notary services may not be available at every branch, make sure to call or use the Chase Meeting Scheduler before you make the trip.
UPS Shipping centers
UPS provides notary services nationwide, but many UPS store locations do not notarize I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification forms or Wills. Make sure to call your local branch before you go.
Online
Online platforms offer remote notarization, but not for every document. Powers of attorney (POA), wills, trusts and health care proxies cannot be notarized remotely in New York — those must be signed in person.
For documents that do qualify, check that the notary is registered with the New York Department of State as an electronic notary, and that their seal shows their name, “Notary Public State of New York,” the county where they qualified, and the commission expiration date.
There’s also a roastery of notary public on the New York Notary Alliance website you can look up their name and make appointments.
How can I become a notary?
Tiberio said demand for bilingual notaries has surged. “So many individuals are looking for notaries who speak their language or can read documentation,” she said. “If you’re bilingual and looking to become a notary, this is an opportunity.”
If you are admitted to the New York Bar or if you work as a court clerk, you are exempted from taking the exam.
For non-lawyers, who are at least 18 years old, have a good moral conduct and character, a resident of New York State or have an office of place of business in New York State, here’s what you need to do:
- Submit an application
- Pay the required fees
- Pass the New York State notary public exam
For more information on fees and exam schedules of the year, check the Department of State’s website and the application guidance book.
