Introduction
Fee
Qualifications to Become a Commissioner of Deeds
Qualifications to Obtain a Certificate of Fitness
Examinations
Attorneys or Their Employees
Appointment by the City Council
Limitations of the Office of Commissioner of Deeds

Introduction
A Commissioner of Deeds is a public officer similar to a Notary Public who may administer oaths and take acknowledgements or proofs of deeds and other documents in any part of the City of New York.

Fee

• The fee to apply to become a Commissioner of Deeds is $26 by credit card or money order payable to the City Clerk.

Qualifications to Become a Commissioner of Deeds

• You must be a citizen of the United States of America or legal resident alien.
• You must be a resident of the City of New York or an attorney who maintains an office in the City of New York.
• You must be 18 years of age or older.
• You must not have been removed from the Office of Notary Public or Commissioner of Deeds.
• You must be an attorney, an attorney's employee, someone serving a clerkship in a law office, or someone who is qualified to obtain a Certificate of Fitness from the Office of the City Clerk.
• You must have proper identification.

Qualifications to Obtain a Certificate of Fitness

• If you are not an attorney, an attorney's employee, or someone serving a clerkship in a law office, you must obtain a Certificate of Fitness.
• To obtain a Certificate of Fitness, you must:
  • Not have any outstanding tax bills or unpaid traffic tickets,
  • Not have been convicted of any felony or any acts listed in Section 2-02 of the Rules of the City of New York,
  • Have earned a grade of at least 65% on the exam administered by the City Clerk.

Examinations
You must take an exam to obtain a Certificate of Fitness.

• Exams are offered daily from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm in the Manhattan office.
• Exams are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at our Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island offices.
• You may call 311 in advance for an appointment or walk in to schedule an appointment.
• You may call 311 to request an application and Commissioner of Deeds handbook or pick both up at any of our offices.

Attorneys or Their Employees

• Attorneys are exempt from any examinations.
• Both attorney employees and law clerks are also exempt upon presentation of affidavits as to their competence and clerkship, respectively.
  Download a sample affidavit

Appointment by the City Council

• Once you have paid the fee and met the qualifications to become a Commissioner of Deeds, your application will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration of appointment.
• Upon appointment by the Council you will be notified to return to the City Clerk's Office to take the Oath of Office and receive your certificate.
• Your term of appointment is for a two-year period.

Limitations of the Office of Commissioner of Deeds

• Once you are appointed Commissioner of Deeds, you may perform official functions solely within the five boroughs of New York City.
• A Commissioner of Deeds cannot certify any document to a transaction in which the Commissioner has a financial interest or take an acknowledgement or proof of the execution of a will.