New York State Notary Practice Exam

Who issues a certification of a notarial signature in New York State?

1. The court

2. The county clerk

3. The governor

4. The secretary of state

The correct answer is: The county clerk

In New York State, a certification of a notarial signature is issued by the county clerk. The county clerk has the authority to authenticate the signature of a notary public by attaching a certification, which confirms that the individual was indeed a notary at the time the notarization took place. This certification serves as a verification for interested parties that the notarization is valid, which can be important for legal and official documentation. The roles of the other options do not include issuing certifications for notarial signatures. While courts may handle various legal documents, they do not issue certifications for notaries. The governor and the secretary of state also do not have the specific responsibility regarding the certification of notarial signatures; instead, the secretary of state oversees the appointment and regulation of notaries public in New York. Therefore, the most appropriate choice is that the county clerk is the one who issues this certification.