New York State Notary Practice Exam

A person convicted of what type of crime cannot be appointed as a notary public?

1. Misdemeanor

2. Infraction

3. Felony

4. Violation

The correct answer is: Felony

A person convicted of a felony cannot be appointed as a notary public in New York State. This restriction is in place because felonies are considered serious crimes that typically involve significant violations of law, which may raise concerns about the individual's trustworthiness and reliability—key qualities for a notary public. Notaries are entrusted with important legal duties, including verifying identities and witnessing signatures, so having a felony conviction can undermine public confidence in their integrity. On the other hand, misdemeanors, infractions, and violations are generally less serious offenses. While certain misdemeanors might lead to disqualification in specific contexts, they do not automatically prevent someone from being appointed as a notary public unless they are directly related to the duties of the role or show a pattern of dishonest behavior. Thus, the distinction between these levels of offenses is what makes felony convictions a significant barrier to becoming a notary.