New York State Notary Practice Exam

Can a member of the legislature be appointed as a notary public in New York?

1. Yes, they can be appointed

2. No, they cannot hold that title

3. Only if they resign their legislative position

4. Only in a temporary capacity

The correct answer is: Yes, they can be appointed

In New York, members of the legislature can indeed be appointed as notaries public. This is in line with the requirements for becoming a notary, which state that individuals must meet certain eligibility criteria, including residency and age, but do not disqualify public officials from serving as notaries. The role of a notary is independent of one's position within the legislature, allowing legislators to perform notarial acts in addition to their legislative duties. While some may consider that a legislator might need to resign or hold their position temporarily to serve as a notary, this is not a requirement in New York. Thus, the ability of legislators to serve both roles emphasizes the flexibility within the state's notarial practices.