The words

Beneath your signature, in black ink, you print, typewrite, or stamp your name, "Notary Public State of New York," the county of qualification, and your commission expiration. NYC notaries add their number.

The actual law, so it can’t scare you later.

Actually means

Name, title, county, expiration, in black, every time.

Plain English. No legalese survives this step.

Live example

You finish a notarization and stamp the four-line block below your signature.

A scene you can picture.

Killer question

The pairing they test: willful failure to comply disciplines YOU, but the notarial act stays valid. Punish the notary, protect the public.

Exactly how the exam asks it.