With government regulators and consumers alike closely scrutinizing the notarial process, one elected official used her swearing-in ceremony to highlight the important role Notaries play in modern society.
West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant was sworn in to her second term this month by a staff Notary. Tennant said she asked Penney Barker, Manager of the Business and Licensing Division of the Secretary of State’s Office, to administer the oath in part to illustrate how vital Notaries are to the free flow of commerce and to the many highly sensitive personal transactions that transpire in daily life.
By properly executing their duties as impartial witnesses, Notaries help deter fraud and promote the integrity and reliability of document transactions.
In the coming year, Tennant plans to ask the state legislature to adopt the Revised Uniform Notary Act. Her office also plans to reach out to the state’s 45,000 Notaries to make sure they are clear on their duties and the laws governing them while educating the general public regarding the importance of Notaries.
