The New York State Department of State has announced the launch of an online application and registration portal for notaries, starting February 1st, 2023. This move will allow licensees who are commissioned as notary publics to continue with their commission without making any changes to their license, and also provide an option for those who wish to offer electronic notary services.
“We live in a digital world where many transactions and services are facilitated online,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “The Department of State is proud to facilitate access to electronic online notary services to make it easier for New Yorkers to conduct business in a rapid and accessible manner.”
Notaries who are already licensed and wish to provide electronic notary services will need to register with the Department of State their capability to perform electronic notarial acts. A new online portal will be launched to make it easier for notaries to apply for a credential and perform related transactions, such as changing a name or address and scheduling an examination.
The Department of State licenses 38 professions, and in the coming months, will launch an education and outreach campaign to inform licensees about the new requirements through social media, website postings, and general correspondence. For more information, licensees can contact the Department at 518-474-4429 or visit https://dos.ny.gov/notary-public#remote-notarization-faqs.
This change will allow New York residents to conduct notary transactions more conveniently and efficiently, further modernizing the state’s services.
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