Can I still perform Notary services while on pregnancy leave from my regular job? — J.M., California
It depends. If you are a regularly commissioned Notary Public, you may notarize while on leave from your regular job. If, however, you are a state, city, county, or public school district employee who has been specifically commissioned to serve as a Notary in this line of employment, Government Code 8202.5 says you are commissioned as a Notary “to act for and on behalf of the government entity for which appointed.” This means you can only notarize for the public agency and not for anyone else.
Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors
Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline consultants to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.