← New York Notary Public Exam — Real Property Law Requirements

Free New York Notary Public Exam — Real Property Law Requirements Practice Test (2026)

40 questions · 60 min · Pass/Fail

40 Questions · 60 Minutes · Pass/Fail

Question 1 of 5

Sample Questions

Question 1

Under NY Real Property Law Section 290 et seq., which instruments affecting real property MUST be acknowledged before they can be recorded by the county clerk?

Answer: Deeds, mortgages, satisfaction pieces, and other instruments affecting real property must be acknowledged before they can be recorded. Without a proper acknowledgment, the county clerk is required to reject the instrument for recording.

Question 2

Under NY Real Property Law, must a deed be signed in the presence of witnesses in addition to the notary, and if so, how many witnesses are required?

Answer: Yes, under NY Real Property Law, a deed must be signed in the presence of at least two witnesses, in addition to the notary taking the acknowledgment. The witnesses attest to the grantor's signature, while the notary takes the formal acknowledgment.

Question 3

Which NY officials are authorized to take acknowledgments for real property instruments intended to be recorded within New York State?

Answer: Notaries public, commissioners of deeds, judges and justices of courts of record, and certain other designated officials may take acknowledgments for NY real property instruments. Each must act within the scope of their jurisdiction and authority.

Question 4

What information must be included in a statutory certificate of acknowledgment for a deed executed by an individual in New York?

Answer: The certificate must identify the state and county where the acknowledgment was taken, the name of the person appearing, a statement that they appeared before the notary and acknowledged executing the instrument, and the notary's signature, seal, and commission expiration date. The form must substantially comply with the statutory language under NY Real Property Law.

Question 5

What formalities are required for a correction deed in New York?

Answer: A correction deed must be executed with the same formalities as the original deed, including proper signature, two witness attestations, and a valid certificate of acknowledgment. It is recorded to correct errors in a previously recorded deed and must meet all NY Real Property Law requirements.