NY Notary News & Law Updates
Plain-English updates that affect New York notaries. Educational only — not legal advice; verify current law at dos.ny.gov.
July 2026
Renewal reminder: you must renew through the Department of State — not your county clerk
The New York State Bar Association is reminding notaries of a change many still miss: since July 1, 2023 (Chapter 188 of the Laws of 2023), notary commissions are renewed through the NY Department of State — county clerks no longer handle renewals. Renew online through NY Business Express (businessexpress.ny.gov): sign in with your ny.gov account, search "notary" under applications, and start the renewal from "My Dashboard." You can renew starting 90 days before the expiration date printed on your notary ID card — don't wait, because a lapsed commission means no notarizing until it's restored. (NY Notary Pro reminds you automatically at 120, 90, 60, and 30 days.) Source: NYSBA, "Notary Renewal Reminder: You Must Renew Through NY Department of State."
July 2026
NY Notary Pro launches
The compliant electronic journal for New York notaries is live at nynotarypro.app — every 19 NYCRR §182.9 field enforced, ID-scan auto-fill, commission-renewal reminders, appointment scheduling with remote-notarization support, and automatic yearly logbook delivery. Free 30-day trial, no credit card.
Reminder — ongoing
Every NY notary must keep a journal — paper books don't remind you
Since January 25, 2023, ALL New York notaries — traditional and electronic — must record every notarial act contemporaneously and retain the records for at least 10 years (19 NYCRR §182.9). The Secretary of State can request your records. If you've been notarizing without a journal, start one today; the requirement applies to every act you perform from 2023 onward.
January 31, 2023
Remote online notarization (RON) fully authorized
New York's permanent electronic-notarization framework took full effect: commissioned notaries may register with the Department of State as electronic notaries (Exec. Law §135-c) and notarize by audio-video technology with approved identity verification. The session recording must be retained for 10 years (19 NYCRR §182.8), and the fee cap for electronic acts is $25.
January 25, 2023
Journal & 10-year retention rules take effect (19 NYCRR Part 182)
The Department of State's rules implementing the electronic notarization law imposed recordkeeping duties on every notary: date, time and type of each act, the name and address of each individual, the number and type of services, the credential used to identify the signer, witnesses, and verification procedures — kept for at least 10 years and producible to the Secretary of State.
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