N.Y. Executive Law § 141: Commissioners of deeds in other states, territories and foreign countries

§ 141. Commissioners of deeds in other states, territories and foreign

countries. The secretary of state may, in his discretion, appoint and

commission in any other state, territory or dependency, or in any

foreign country, such number of commissioners of deeds as he may think

proper, each of whom shall be a resident of or have his place of

business in the city, county, municipality or other political

subdivision from which chosen, and shall hold office for the term of

four years, unless such appointment shall be sooner revoked by the

secretary of state, who shall have power to revoke the same. A person

applying for appointment as a commissioner of deeds shall state in his

application the city, county, municipality or other political

subdivision for which he desires to be appointed, and shall enclose with

his application the sum of twenty-five dollars, which sum, if a

commission shall be granted, shall be paid by the secretary of state

into the state treasury, and if such commission shall not be granted,

then the same shall be returned to the person making the application.

Each commissioner, before performing any of the duties or exercising any

of the powers of his office, shall take the constitutional oath of

office, if appointed for a city or county within the United States,

before a justice of the peace or some other magistrate in such city or

county; and if for a territory or dependency, before a judge of a court

of record in such territory or dependency; and if for a city,

municipality or other political subdivision in a foreign country, before

a person authorized by the laws of this state to administer an oath in

such country, or before a clerk or judge of a court of record in such

foreign country; and shall cause to be prepared an official seal on

which shall be designated his name, the words, "commissioner of deeds

for the state of New York," and the name of the city or county, and the

state, country, municipality or other political subdivision from which

appointed, and shall file a clear impression of such seal, his written

signature and his oath certified by the officer before whom it was

taken, in the office of the department of state. The secretary of state

upon receipt of such impression, signature and oath, shall forward to

such commissioner instructions and forms, and a copy of the appropriate

sections of this chapter.