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Which office is responsible for appointing and commissioning notaries public in New York State?

  1. Governor's Office

  2. Department of State

  3. Secretary of State

  4. Attorney General's Office

The correct answer is: Secretary of State

The correct answer is that the Secretary of State is the office responsible for appointing and commissioning notaries public in New York State. This role includes overseeing the application process, issuing commissions, and maintaining records of notaries. The Secretary of State acts as a central point of authority for notarial acts in the state, ensuring that notaries adhere to the legal standards set forth in New York law. While the other offices mentioned have various responsibilities, they do not have the authority to appoint notaries. The Governor's Office, for example, may be involved in state appointments generally but does not handle notary commissions directly. The Department of State supports administrative functions but is not the appointing authority for notaries. The Attorney General's Office focuses on legal matters and enforcement of the law, rather than the commissioning of notaries. Therefore, the Secretary of State is the clear choice for this responsibility.