chatsimple

Notary News

Important Update for Pennsylvania Notaries

We recently covered upcoming rules changes for notaries in Pennsylvania.

New notary education rules were passed in Pennsylvania, requiring all new and renewing notaries to complete a three hour course. The course must be completed within six months before filing an application, or filing a renewal, to be a notary in the state of Pennsylvania.

The update here comes for current notaries. In the initial language of the rules, current notaries were “grandfathered” in and not required to meet the same educational demands as new notaries.

Read More

Upcoming 2018 Changes to Indiana Notary Laws

You can add Indiana to the states lined up to update their notary laws soon, as Indiana has approved changes to take effect in 2018. The changes will bring Indiana closer to the rest of the nation in regards to notarial law.

Of course, we’ll see tighter testing requirements for notaries, as we are seeing across the country, as well as changes to reflect traveling and other common notary issues.

Indiana did previously have testing for new notaries, but the test was not very substantial, and allowed potential notaries multiple guesses to get questions correct. That is going away and will be replaced by a new, more comprehensive test for prospective notaries. Current notaries will need to re-take the test every two years, as well.

A big update is being made to reflect the fact that notaries are traveling more and more to provide services. Previous law only allowed a notary to charge up to $2 to travel to a signing, even though many, if not most, signings required more than $2 worth of gas to travel to.

Indiana to Update Notary Laws

Seriously, two dollars!

Fortunately, the new law allows for notaries to charge for travel expenses at the federal mileage rate. It also raises the amount notaries are allowed to charge for their services.

Another issue being addressed is who can become a notary public in Indiana. Current law states that you must be a resident of the state. The new law states that you only need to work in the state to become a notary.  We have also seen this issue recently in North Carolina.

This is yet another reason you need a nationwide notary company like Sunshine Signing, who has notaries ready in all 50 states.

It is common practice for many businesses to have someone in the office commissioned as a notary. This has been a problem in border areas of the state. Many of these businesses employ individuals who live out of the state. These employees were automatically disqualified from being an Indiana notary due to their residence. To eliminate this inconvenience, Indiana will allow individuals primarily employed in the state of Indiana to become Indiana notaries.

— Eagle Country Online

Another issue that will affect notaries directly are bond requirements. Currently, a notary has to hold a $5,000 bond, which will be raised to $25,000. For current notaries, though, there will be no change until the end of their commission. Their current bond will be grandfathered in until their current commission expires, and won’t change to $25,000 until then.

Laws affecting notaries are changing all over the country now, to reflect the changing times we live in, and to protect notaries and their clients. Expect to see more states update their laws in the coming months and years.

Sunshine Signing Service

Your Nationwide Notary Signing Service

Increase your efficiency and bottom line with Sunshine’s Mobile Notary Services and Online Notary Services. Sunshine is always there when you need us.

Or Call us at (727) 817-0000

New Pennsylvania Notary Law to Start in October 2017

The Revised Uniform Law of Notarial Act will take effect on October 26, 2017 in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of State published its notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

This long awaited Notarial Act will replace previous laws enacted in 1941 and 1953. The law was actually passed in 2013, but compliance requirements for the state are just being completed. The law was always scheduled to take effect 180 days after approval from the when Department of State completed its work on new programs for the education of notaries in the state.

This is a sweeping change of notarial law, and includes many important updates. Some of them are simple and common sense. For example, the new law requires that a notary to identify the identity of any person for whom a notarial act is performed. It also simplifies the process to notarize electronic documents.

Some of the other changes are more complex and should make you take note.

Users of notary services are protected from errors and omissions by notaries and challenges to the validity of notary certificates. The failure of a notarial officer to perform a duty or meet a requirement of the law will not invalidate a notarial act. Instead, any remedies for misconduct by a notary aided or abetted by a user of notarial services must be sought under other laws. In addition, a rebuttable presumption is provided regarding the validity of the signatures and titles of notarial officers and a conclusive presumption is provided with respect to the authority of judicial officers to perform notarial acts

— Lexology
New Notary Laws Coming in Pennsylvania

This section in particular is of note, and we are going to have to see how it plays out. While it disallows a notarial act to be invalidated because of failure to have perfect documents, it also opens an avenue to pursue “remedies for misconduct” through other channels, presumably civil.

Sanctions for violating the law will also increase. Greater enforcement powers have been granted to the Department of State, and sanctions have been increased.

Of course, this is accompanied by new notarial forms to help keep you in compliance, as well as new, mandatory training for new notaries, as well as those seeking to re-instate their license.

Pennsylvania is now the 7th state to adopt the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, with more states likely to follow in upcoming years.  It was also the birthplace of the notary that helped found a nation.

This is just another reason you need a nationwide notary service that can navigate the changes laws for you.

Edit:  Important Update for Pennsylvania notaries.

Sunshine Signing Service

Your Nationwide Notary Signing Service

Increase your efficiency and bottom line with Sunshine’s Mobile Notary Services and Online Notary Services. Sunshine is always there when you need us.

Or Call us at (727) 817-0000

Notary Concerns in North Carolina

The North Carolina Secretary of State faces impeachment charges after it was revealed that over 300 notaries in the state were non permanent residents.

Representative Chris Millis, a Republican from Pender County, NC held a press conference where he levied charges against Elaine Marshall, the North Carolina Secretary of State.  His office poured over 1,700 pages of documents that show that over 320 notaries in the state did not legally reside in the United States.

“If the secretary chooses not to resign, I will proceed with all legislative actions, including a resolution for impeachment,” Millis said.

North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall

There is no law that says a notary must be a United States citizen, but the law does say that the person must reside in the United States legally. The issue focuses mainly on people who used DACA status to become notaries.  DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which began in 2012, and is a limited immigration program offered by the Department of Homeland Security.

Millis says these same documents show Marshall’s office regularly accepted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) cards as forms of identification which he claims on his website are not valid to prove residency. “A DACA card is a temporary employment authorization to facilitate safe and legitimate employment and income for otherwise undocumented aliens but does not confer legal immigration status.” — Fox News

— Fox News

Elaine Marshall called the claims purely political.

“This is simply a rehashing of the political attack used by my opponent [Republican Michael LaPaglia] in the recent election,” Marshall said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has authorized the specifically mentioned notaries to work here lawfully. That federally authorized status continues to be unchanged by the new presidential administration.” — WRAL

— WRAL

For his part, Millis has filed a new bill in North Carolina that would require all notaries to be United States citizens.

Sunshine Signing Service

Your Nationwide Notary Signing Service

Increase your efficiency and bottom line with Sunshine’s Mobile Notary Services and Online Notary Services. Sunshine is always there when you need us.

Or Call us at (727) 817-0000

Nearest Notary to Me

What is the easiest way to find the nearest notary?

The answer is simpler than you may think.  You see, the nearest one to you is always going to be the one that will come to you, also known as a mobile, or traveling notary. There is also a new trend, online signings, that are becoming available for more people.

They use a technology called online remote notarization, or RON. All you need is a computer with good internet access.

Mobile and Online notaries take the hassle out of arranging services for yourself or your business. And for businesses, we specialize in increasing productivity and profitability.

Read More

Does the Fed Raising Rates Affect Mobile Notaries?

Last week the federal reserve announced for just the third time since the financial crisis, that they are raising rates to a range between .75 and 1 percent.  The fed announced in their decision that they are planning for slow economic growth, which stands in contrast to some in the market who think the market is growing at a faster pace.

But, does this mean anything for the mobile notary?

How will the fed raising rates affect new housing sales, as well as refinances?  The scary answer is that it would discourage buyers from coming to the table.  But, the reality may be far different.

Will the fed raising rates affect mobile notaries?

Rates are still at historic lows, and the fed is looking at raising the rates again in the coming months, maybe several times.  This could encourage buyers to close the deal before the rates rise again.

Ms. Zentner said she expected the Fed to raise rates again at its June meeting. The Fed’s policy-making committee next meets on May 2 and 3.New York Times

New York Times

Some analysts believe that we may see four or five more rate hikes in the next two years.

Federal Reserve Chairperson Janet Yellen has made it clear that she expects to recommend (a minimum) of three increases in the Federal Reserve interest rate in 2017. The extent of the effects of these rate hikes will depend in part on the size of the rate increase.Yahoo Finance

Yahoo Finance

The banks are already bracing for the higher rates.  Early reports had bank stocks slightly increasing on the news.  But, expect them to make a push to get buyers and refinancers to the table before the next hike.

Update on Idaho Notary Bill

A contentious battle has commenced in Idaho regarding a new law to set forthcoming rules for notaries in the state.  The notary law passed out of committee last week after a long debate.  Among the topics brought up against the bill were unstable foreign countries, the Hague Convention and the UCC.

The bill looks to modernize the rules for notaries in the state.  It recognizes the use of electronic signatures and other technological advancements that are becoming staples in the field.

Read More

Why You Need a National Signing Service

When faced with the choice of using a single notary, versus using a national signing service, there are several things a business needs to consider.  Not least of which are staffing/availability of your notary.

One must also consider the culture of their company and if an on staff notary helps them achieve their mission statement.  And on top of it all, a business must always think and plan about the future, the prospect of growth, and how that will affect company operations.

When You Need a National Signing Service

Every business that needs documents signings has to make a choice on how to get the job done.  Here are a few key questions we have found companies need to ask when making the decision on getting a national signing service.

Does an on staff notary help the company reach its goals, without detracting from its core focus?

Especially for smaller companies, hiring is a big decision.  There are training, taxes, the bottom line, and the journey to find someone who is right for your team.  Then there is the fact they must be certified in every state you do business, or plan to do business.

If you only do a few signings in a local area, it might be the right decision for you.  But, you then have to weigh the cost/benefits to have them on your staff.

You can find an individual notary for your services, but what do you do when they aren’t available?  And is it a good use of company time to be tracking down notaries all the time?

Why You Need a National Signing Service

Technology Has Changed the Game

Remote Online Notarizations made their big debut during the pandemic. They seem simple, but business is rarely simple.

The fact is some documents must be done in person. Some docs need attorneys, while others are affected by the myriad of laws now across the United States.

So, why not let the industry leader manage that for you?

At the end of the day, you are going to realize you need both mobile and online notaries. So why not be with someone who offers that to start with. Add in our expedited document delivery and you have a true white glove service.

Is your company growing or primed for growth?

Growing a business is hard work.  It takes supreme effort across a range of company goals to achieve.

And it is a proud moment when you do it.

As your company grows, your needs for notary services grows with it.  You can no longer rely on an individual notary, so a national signing service becomes your best option.

Why?  Because you need to focus on the three things that makes your company tick!  And I bet hunting down notaries is not on that list.  So you go out and find someone who specializes in that, so you can focus on your core business and increased growth.

Are you looking to expand your hours?

In recent years, this has spread quickly in real estate, but also for signings involving individuals with 9-5 jobs.  In real estate, investors strike fast and they do the deals when they can be done.  This is often outside the range of normal business hours.

A national signing service have networks of notaries that are available after conventional hours.  So, if one is not available, they have twenty more that are.  So you never get stuck out of town, at the table, with no way to close.

In business, every minute means money.

Make a Sunshine Signing Connection

When your company is ready for a national notary service, you can rest assured that Sunshine will be there for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.  We have notaries in big cities and rural areas.  We have networks of attorneys for states that require them.

When you need a signing done right, and a national signing service to stand behind it, you cannot go wrong with Sunshine Signing.

Sunshine Signing Service

Your Nationwide Notary Signing Service

Increase your efficiency and bottom line with Sunshine’s Mobile Notary Services and Online Notary Services. Sunshine is always there when you need us.

Or Call us at (727) 817-0000

Where Can I Find a Notary?

Needless to say, you aren’t the first person to come to this page and ask “where can I find a Notary?”.

We say, in mother Russia, notary finds you.

That is quite tongue in cheek, but the fast paced business environment today often requires a notary come to you, and not the other way around.  Business is no longer tied to the old nine to five, and important signings can take place almost at any time.  Antiquated are the days when all parties to a document trudged their way to notary office, because nowadays no one has the time, and let’s face it, the notary in the office is probably out to lunch or closed.  It is just so much more convenient to have the notary come to your site so you can go about your business uninterrupted.

Read More

Traveling Notary – What are They

A traveling notary is more commonly known as a mobile notary

Traveling Notaries are notaries that travel from location to location to perform document signings. They provide a service that is needed for the legal system to run. Also, they protect people in the best of times and the worst of times.

Read More