Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski today sought to clear up confusion for any person looking to renew their notary commission.  Jastrzemski said notaries should continue to renew through their local County Clerk’s Office. 

“The Association of New York State County Clerks has recently learned of a new portal that has been created by the New York State Department of State (DOS) to allow notaries to renew their commissions online with the Department of State,” said Jastrzemski.  “Letters inviting and encouraging notaries to renew their commissions via this new portal were sent out without the proper consultation of county clerks across New York State.   

“While I, like my county clerks in other counties, are in full support of paperless renewals, the DOS approach directly contradicts current NYS statutes that require all renews to be submitted through the local county clerk’s office who then issues the commissions.   We have been working with the Department of State to address this.” 

Jastrzemski said that just yesterday, DOS decided not to accept online notary renewals via their new portal at this time. 

“I do not want anyone who needs to renew their rotary commission and may have gotten the DOS letter getting caught in the bureaucratic red tape,” said Jastrzemski.  “So I want to emphasize, do what you have always done and renew your commission through the county clerk’s office. 

Jastrzemski also reminded notaries that as of January 25, 2023, all notaries commissioned in New York State must maintain of journal of all notary acts. 



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