Notary Updates

If you are currently a notary in California and your commission expiration date is June 30, 2009 or later, you are eligible to take the 3 hour refresher course in lieu of the full 6 hour course. The 6 hour course will still be valid if you choose to take it, but if you want to streamline the application process a bit, this is a great option. There are a few disclaimers though. You MUST have first taken an approved 6 hour course. If your commission expires June 30, 2009 or later, than you definitely have taken the 6 hour course before. You also must take AND PASS the notary exam BEFORE your current commission expires. If you wait until the last minute and do not pass, you must then go back and take the 6 hour course again. RENEW EARLY, RENEW EARLY, RENEW EARLY. Secretary of State recommends that you renew 4-6 months before your commission expires.

To give you a little relief from paying taxes yesterday, we are offering the 3 hour online video course for only $19.95 for today and Friday only. After that, it will be $39.95. If your commission expires within the next year, this is a great way to save some money. Order Now

Sometimes computers do not always behave as expected. Due to a programming error, we sent out an email to our entire list instead of the intended recipients ealier this month. Our inbox was flooded with concerned people stating that they did not sign up for that seminar. We respect your time and your inbox. We regret the error and will continue to work hard that this problem does not happen again. We are sorry. Please forgive us.

The Secretary of State sends you a notice in the mail and it is returned to them. It has been discovered that you had moved 3 months ago and the mail forwarding had expired. What is the Secretary of State likely to do?

a) Attempt to contact you by phone to get your new address.

b) Start the process of revoking your notary commission.

c) Fine you up to $500.

d) Nothing

The Secretary of State can fine you up to $500 for failing to notify them of any change of business or personal address. If you move, you have 30 days to submit a change of address application to the Secretary of State. Doing so can save you $500!. Download Change of Address Form

It has been almost four years since mandatory education has been implemented in California. Renewing notaries whose commissions expire on or after June 30, 2009 are eligible to take the 3 hour education course in lieu of the full 6 hour course. The 6 hour course will still be allowed, but the 3 hour course is the minimum requirement. If you do not take (and pass) your notary exam prior to your commission expiring, you will not be eligible for the 3 hour course and you will have to take the 6 hour course. As you can see, it is to your advantage to start the renewal process EARLY, rather than waiting for the last minute. You can take the exam 1 year prior to your commission expiration date. There is no penalty for renewing early. The Secretary of State will sit on your paperwork until 1 month prior to your expiration.

We are currently having our 3 hour course reviewed by the Secretary of State's office and will have it online and ready to be viewed shortly after final approval. We will send out an email "blast" as soon as it is available, however, we anticipate it will be available in the next couple of weeks.

We appreciate your patience while we get this new course up and running.

We have received several phone calls about Loan Signing Certification and whether or not it needs to be renewed, etc. First of all, there is NO requirement by the Secretary of State that a notary that signs loan documents to be anything other than a notary public. There is an organization that offers a certification course that expires every two years. Our certification does not expire. We feel that certification is the first step in loan document competency. If you have been in the business for two years, you do not need to be "recertified." Your experience is worth much more than a piece of paper or a logo.

There are some title companies and signing companies that require you to have $50,000+ errors and omissions insurance. This requirement varies by hiring companies and is also not mandated by law.

If you have any other questions about loan signing or anything else, you do not have to pay for a "hotline." Click on Contact Us and we will be happy to assist you. We would much rather you contact us before you do something wrong instead of contacting us afterward.

The lockable briefcases are a hit. We have sold out several times and have now received a third shipment. So, if you need to make sure you are in compliance with state law, this is a great way to keep your seal(s) and journal in a safe and locked location. We ship them out same or next business day via FedEx Ground.

We also have an extremely limited supply of 8 black and 3 brown executive briefcases. These items have been discontinued, so we are liquidating them for only $24.95. Order now before it's too late.

Deluxe Briefcase Features:

• 4 front pockets for added storage space
• Interior organizer
• Rear zip pocket
• Padded laptop compartment for files
• Add-a-bag strap
• Adjustable removable shoulder strap

Your boss is overseas and appears before you via a video teleconference. You are in California. You see your boss sign the document on the video. He/she faxes it to you. He/she shows you his/her ID and scans it to your computer. Can you notarize this document?

Answer:
California law requires a personal appearance which means that the individual can physically hand you their ID. "Video Notaries" are not allowed, especially since the client will be unable to sign your notary journal. As new technologies emerge, there will be more ways for you to violate the law. Always trust your gut and if something feels right, it is perfectly acceptable to contact the Secretary of State's office.