New York State Notary Practice Exam

When a notary public is convicted of a felony, they face significant consequences regarding their ability to serve in this role. According to New York State law, a felony conviction disqualifies an individual from being appointed as a notary public. This is based on the principle that a notary public is expected to uphold the law and demonstrate trustworthy behavior.

The disqualification does not simply mean they cannot be appointed after the conviction; it also indicates that if they were already serving as a notary, their commission would be rendered void. Therefore, the law seeks to ensure that only individuals with a clean legal record can assume the responsibilities of a notary public.

Options suggesting that they may continue serving or must resign immediately do not fully capture the severity of the implications following a felony conviction. An appeal to the Secretary of State is not applicable in this context, as the conviction itself is a clear barrier to appointment. Thus, the commission is affected directly by the felony conviction, which leads to an inability to be appointed as a notary public in the future.