Does the New York Bar Admission Application Need to Be Notarized?

Yes. If you are being admitted to practice law in New York, your Application for Admission Questionnaire must be signed and notarized before you submit it to the Appellate Division. It is one of the few steps in the admission process that requires a notary.

What has to be notarized

On the questionnaire, you swear (or affirm) that your answers are true and you authorize the Appellate Division’s Committee on Character and Fitness to investigate your background. That statement is subscribed and sworn to before a notary public – you sign it in front of the notary, who then completes the jurat and affixes their stamp.

Out-of-state applicants: the Designation of Agent

If you do not live or work full time in New York, you also complete a Designation of Agent addendum, appointing the Clerk of the Appellate Division to accept legal process on your behalf. That page must be notarized too. Out-of-state candidates are exactly the people who have the hardest time finding a New York notary.

Can you notarize it online?

Online notarization lets a commissioned New York notary verify your identity and swear you in over secure video, so you can complete the notarized pages from any state without traveling. This is especially helpful for out-of-state applicants completing the Designation of Agent. Follow your Appellate Division department’s instructions and confirm the accepted notarization method for your filing.

How to get it done

Have your application pages ready, but do not sign until you are in front of the notary. Then verify your signature over video and receive your notarized pages. You can notarize online here, or contact NotarEase NYC if you have questions.

This page is general information, not legal advice, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the New York courts. Always follow the official instructions provided with your Application for Admission and confirm requirements with the appropriate Appellate Division department.