The notary public’s official stamp must be capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed or attached or with which it is logically associated. The $4 fee is the maximum fee that the Secretary of State may allow for an original notarial act as set forth in § 18-107. The notary public’s official stamp is the property and responsibility of the notary alone. Do I have to get sworn in if I change my address? A notarial act performed in violation of this provision is voidable, For all members of their immediate family even if not under a legal duty to refrain for that member of your family; and. Notaries should refrain from performing any official acts for members of their immediate family or any acts where the notary is personally involved or may benefit from the outcome of the document. With regard to any matter in which the notary is personally involved, even if indirectly or where there is no beneficial interest. No. However, a notary can notarize documents from another state as long as the document is notarized in Maryland. For notaries public who reside in Maryland, this will more than likely be the county (or Baltimore City) of residence. You can see every change every person made to the document and you can easily verify the specific witness observed and participated in the transaction. If you are commissioned as a Notary Public in a state other than Maryland, you cannot use your Maryland notary seal when notarizing in that other state. If you cannot locate the Notary Public at this link, you may also contact us by email at dlnotary_sos@maryland.gov or by phone at 410-974-5521. a judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of a court of the State; or, a magistrate appointed by a court of the State. Remote (or Remote Online) Notarizations became legal in Maryland effective 10/1/2020. The official stamp of a notary public shall include: ​If a notary public’s stamping device is lost or stolen, the notary public or the notary public’s personal representative or guardian promptly shall notify the Secretary of State on discovering that the device is lost or stolen. ​Yes. The application is missing information and we have not received a response from the applicant with the information needed to complete the application. Be sure you provide a correct email address that you regularly check with your application. Change of Address Card (needed to verify the home address on your application if the address on your ID does not match the address on your application). Click on “Update Your Notary Information” and then update your address. Specific technology is required to perform a remote notarization. Your email should provide the name by which you are commissioned, your address, the county in which you are commissioned, and the date on which your commission was lost or stolen. However, the RON vendor must be authorized in Maryland in order for you to use that RON Vendor. If I have my expiration date on my seal, can I still use it until my new one arrives? If your Senator reviews notary applications, it is up to the Senator on how long it will take to make a determination on an application. Before you start your renewal application, be sure to have all of the items you need to complete your renewal application. You are identified by your name, the county in which you are commissioned, and your expiration date. If you are asked to provide a notary identification number on a notarization, complete the blank by writing “n/a” as that is not applicable for Maryland notaries. As a notary, you can be asked to serve as an official witness, administer an oath or affirmation, and take an acknowledgement. 60 - 90 min. In addition, the notary must affix his or her notary seal or stamp to the document. What do I need when filling out my Notary Public renewal application? When can I renew my Notary Public commission? A notary in the State of Maryland does not have the power to certify the authenticity of any document – official or unofficial – other than the notary’s registry. This simplifies matters and makes the notarization a far simple and convenient process. What is important is that you are performing one of the duties of a notary public. Other fees are that a notary may charge include: 16 Francis St. Annapolis, MD 21401 ~ Phone Number: 410-974-5521 ~ FAX Number: 410-974-5190 While the law only prevents a notary from performing a notarial act in which the notary or the spouse of the notary has a direct beneficial interest, we recommend a notary to refrain from performing a notarial act: There are over 80,000 notaries in Maryland; you can find a Notary Public at your bank, law office, and other local establishments that is not related to you. You must read the notarial certificate on each document being notarized in order to know whether you are serving as an official witness, administering an oath or affirmation, or taking an acknowledgement. If you do not renew within 30 days after your expiration date, you must re-apply for a new notary commission. Also, you will continue using your notary seal with your old name for the duration of the commission. Send a reply email providing proof that you work in the State of Maryland, such as a contract, bill, or other document showing that you provide services while at a location in the State. If you are a Maryland Notary Public, you may notarize anywhere in the State of Maryland, regardless of the county in which you are commissioned. What do I do if I am asked to notarize a document without a certificate? You can find it here: www.mdelect.net. In Maryland, a will must be signed by the person making the will (testator/testatrix) and Attested and signed by two credible witnesses in the presence of the person making the will. If you renew after this commission expires, you’ll be required to be commissioned under your new legal name. A notary can act as a witness for a signature that they notarized, or for a signature that they did not notarize. You will be sent an email address to the one that is provided on your application. Electronic notarizations where made legal by the passing of the Maryland Uniform Electronic Transactions Act in 2000. An Advance Directive (aka, Health Care Directive, Advance Health Care Directive, Maryland Advance Directive) and Living Will (aka, Maryland Living Will) also does not require a notary seal in Maryland. Once there, click on “Update Your Notary Information”. Remote notarizations allow someone to appear before the notary using communication technology rather than in their physical presence as is currently required under Maryland law. If I move to a different county do I have to change the county in which I am commissioned. At this link, you will enter your address on the left hand side of the page. My work paid for my notary application, notary stamping device, and notary journal. Changing your address does not require you to appear before the Clerk of the Court to be sworn in again. See Part VIII of the Notary Public Handbook for more information about this type of notarial act. Among other essential roles, signature guarantors and notaries also serve as witnesses.A witness is Remember, effective October 1, 2021, the Maryland Notary Public Course of Study and Examination will be mandatory. The name of the notary public as it appears on the notary's commission; County (or City of Baltimore) in which the notary was commissioned. Yes, notaries public can still perform notarial acts in person during the state of emergency but should use their best judgement on whether the notarial act is considered essential and abide by social distancing, CDC and MDH guidance in the conduct of any essential notarial services. For example, a notary cannot notarize a passport, birth certificate, school transcript, or other document. Contact information for 3 references (name, address, phone number, email). May a Notary Public verify the information contained on an I-9 form? ​You must appear before the Clerk of the Court and be take the oath of office within 30 days of the day on which your commission is issued. How do I apply to become a Notary Public? Each notary public is responsible for the security of their stamping device. According to the Court of Appeals, a notary can also serve as a witness to the signing. ​You may only act in your capacity as a Notary Public if you are physically present in the State of Maryland at the time of the notarization. There is an $11.00 fee for this action, separate from the application fee paid to the Secretary of State. Unless your state law indicates otherwise, then yes, a notary can act as a witness. The county entered on a notarial certificate should be the county in which you are located at the time of the notarization (not the county in which you are commissioned unless that also happens to be where you are notarizing). 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