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Changes in Notary Laws Inspired by NNA's Model Notary Act
The NNA’s Model Notary Act of 2002 has played a
part in shaping the laws of several states, most recently New Mexico and Massachusetts. Now Kansas is weighing legislation shaped by the Act. |
Fill in Blanks on Documents
When a Notary is
asked to notarize any document that contains blanks, he or she is well advised
and, indeed, required by law in some states to refuse until the blanks are
filled in some way. The signer should either fill in the information needed, or
write “Not Applicable” or “N/A” in each blank.
If blanks are
left unfilled, a third party might later insert information that the signer
disagrees with or doesn’t authorize. Or the signer might forget to include some
needed information and risk invalidating the document. |
| Governor’s Order Doesn’t Change Current Laws
MASSACHUSETTS —
Governor Mitt Romney’s executive order establishing rules of conduct for the
state’s 130,000 Notaries does not override but supplements existing statutes.
The guidelines were established to crack down on impostors, curb identity theft
and deter property crime. Most
significantly, the order requires Notaries to record their official acts in
journals; this requirement is widely recognized as a critical element in
helping law enforcement prosecute forgers and other impostors. |
Early Bird Gets More at Conference
Notaries showing up early to the National
Notary Association’s 26th Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will have the opportunity to take part in a number of informative pre-Conference workshops. On June 2, Notaries can attend these workshops:
| Pennsylvania State-Required Notary Training |
The Fundamentals of Notarization |
| Earn Extra Income as a Notary Signing Agent |
Prevent Fraud In the Workplace |
The Conference officially kicks off with a “Welcome Reception” on June 2 at 6:00 p.m.. |
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| A JOURNAL CAN BE A GREAT HELP
Though it may not be required in your state, a well-kept journal of notarial acts can be a
tremendous help to a Notary.
The journal
provides evidence that reasonable care was taken if the Notary’s conduct is
ever called into question. It also serves as a useful record in the event that
a notarized document is lost or altered.
It can be a
valuable tool to deter fraud as well. Few would-be criminals, for example, are
willing to incriminate themselves by leaving a fingerprint in a journal entry.
And if there is an unusual circumstance connected with a notarization, the journal
allows the Notary to note the circumstances in the event the document’s legitimacy is later challenged. Examples include a signer with a medical condition that could affect awareness, or if a
third party is present who might be accused of coercing the signer.
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