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Application Process for New & Renewing Notaries-Understanding Changes in Procedure
Effective July 1, 2007 changes in the Notary Application process can vary from courthouse to courthouse. |
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 Prior to July 1, 2007 when completing the "Application for Appointment As Notary Public", the applicant was required to have Endorsements (Part 3) from two registered voters of the Commonwealth of Virginia. An Endorser could not be the Notary who notarized the Applicant's signature. Part 4 of the Application required a Recommendation from a Judge, Clerk or Deputy Clerk of any court of the Commonwealth; a Commonwealth's Attorney or an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney; the Attorney General or any of his/her Assistants; or a member of the General Assembly. The application procedure was understandably clear and easy to follow. Once an applicant had his/her Recommendation the application was sent to the Notary Division in Richmond.
Effective July 1, 2007 the Endorsement requirement was eliminated from the revised Application for Appointment as Notary Public. Now a Recommendation is required (Part 4) followed by an Attestation From the Circuit Court (Part 5) before the application can be sent to the Notary Division in Richmond. Part 4 of the Notary Application must be signed by one of the officials listed below:
- A clerk or deputy clerk of any general district court in the Commonwealth of Virginia
- A Commonwealth's Attorney or any Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney or any of his/her assistants
- The Attorney General or any of his/her assistants; or
- Any member of the General Assembly: Delegates - List of Virginia House Delegates Senators - List - Senate of Virginia Find your legislator - Who's My Legislator?
Each jurisdiction can impose restrictions for Recommendations.
- Proof of a current police background check. Alexandria Police Department - Police Records (703) 838-4511
- Valid government issued photo identification
- Proof of residence in the City of Alexandria or verification that the applicant is employed at a location within the city limits of Alexandria.
Please check with your local courthouse for any restrictions that may affect your Application for Appointment. We want to maintain a list of Recommendation Restrictions to assist new/renewing notaries to ensure that they have proper documentation prior to their trip to the Courthouse. Please tell us about your Recommendation experience.
Note: Leah M reports that she went to the Stafford County Courthouse to process her Notary Application. "I can't believe how smoothly the process went at Stafford. I was in and out within 10 minutes. Not only was it quick and easy but everyone was very friendly and helpful."
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| Our Mobile Classroom's Holiday Schedule is now posted to the website. Our Winter Schedule is being updated as classes are confirmed. Visit Schedule of Classes for dates/locations near you. |
| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I Need Errors & Omissions Insurance? |
 Remember that there are "Six Items of Standard Information Required in Every Notarial Act". All forms are not credited to accommodate your notarial area. It is easy to make an innocent mistake or a simple omission. Making any at all could get you sued if your document is disputed.
The National Notary Association (NNA) offers reasonably priced E&O insurance options i.e. $25,000 policy for $26.00 per year. This E&O policy covers you up to the purchase amount in the event you are sued and includes paying for attorney's fees. Policies are effective immediately upon purchase. Use Source Code: A30440 when ordering.
E&O insurance is optional. For complete details visit NNA's website:
My Embossers No Longer Makes A Raised Impression.
What Should I Do?
Adam Raidabaugh, President of Acorn Sales Company, advises that embossers should be kept free of extreme hot and cold environments. When subjected to severe temperatures, the insert may become out of alignment which prevents it from making a raised impression.
If you recently purchased an embosser from Acorn Sales Co. and have discovered that it is out of alignment, please contact Adam Raidabaugh about correcting the problem. |
| New In December: Need a unique gift idea? Check out Acorn Sales Company's speciality embossers and gifts. |
| Notary Spotlight
Schatzie Heeres - Notary Public |
I think the biggest struggle for me being a notary is working for the larger law firms. Most of them do not require or even suggest that a notary keep a log book of their notarizations. I never felt comfortable with that and sure enough one of the cases of an attorney I worked with was defending a notary who had notarized a document many years ago.
The notary was accused of notarizing a document for a person who had committed identity theft. She had checked the identification of the signatory but had not kept a log of her notarizations for years and years and she could not remember this person. I never followed up on the case, but it definitely was one of the many reasons why I took Bryce Hall's "Notary Basics" course. I felt I did not know enough about being a good notary. Now, I have left this law firm and I will never go without my notary log!!!
Tony Easter - Notary Signing Agent
Tony Easter is the owner/operator of Mortgagor's Choice, LLC, a new mobile notary signing business located in Richmond, VA. He is a  licensed and insured member of the National Notary Association and the Notary Signing Agent Association.
Tony provides mobile notary services for mortgage and lending institutions, hospitals, title companies and individuals. His goal for Mortgagor's Choice, LLC is to become the leading mobile notary signing business in Central Virginia.
"As a signing agent I am dedicated to providing dependable and reliable service with the strictest attention to detail. I am also dedicated to developing professional partnerships with my clients."
Note: Tony Easter successfully completed three classes, "Notary Basics"; "Become A Notary Signing Agent" and "Understanding The Mortgage Loan Signing" at our Acorn Sales Company, Richmond, VA mobile classroom. We wish Tony our best in his new venture. |
| Reminder from the Notary Division: Virginia notaries are not authorized to certify true copies of birth, death or marriage certificates. Only the Division of Vital Records/Statistics may perform such a certification. Reference: VA Notary Handbook p. 4 |
 Meet Our Sponsors
Carol Butler - The Butler Company
Carol Butler of the Butler Company has been in the real estate business for over 30 years. She teaches a pre-licensing class for the Virginia title insurance underwriter's exam. It is a one-day class that prepares you for the Virginia State Exam. Carol's pre-licensing class is recommended as Step 1 for Virginia Notary Signing Agents who are seeking CRESPA registration.
Carol's class is available at a variety of locations and online. Please visit her website for dates and locations.
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In the world of small business and taxes, the burdens of paperwork, filing requirements and dealing with the tax agencies, it is more important than ever to maintain accurate records.
Small business is the number "1" target for IRS audits and understanding the tax laws is complex. Paul Thompson, Principal of Premier Accounting & Tax, Inc. recommends seeking the advice of professionals to make sure you are not in the IRS' radar. Additionally maintaining an accurate bookkeeping system will assist you in the growth of your business.
Paul V. Thompson, EA, ABA, ATA, ECS
Premier Accounting & Tax, Inc.
Office locations: Stafford VA & Alexandria VA
703 535-1590
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| Mobile Classrooms |
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Bryce Hall takes our Mobile Classroom on the road monthly to teach "Notary Basics" and "Become A Notary Signing Agent" classes. Check out our Schedule of Classes for dates/locations nearest you.
FEATURED CLASSROOM
Near Springfield Mall
7001 Loisdale Road, Suite C
Springfield, VA 22150
The Women's Business Center provides women with the training, assistance and support needed to start and expand successful small businesses.
The WBC offers a free monthly orientation class, "The ABCs of Starting a Business", as well as other classes and networking events; free one-on-one counseling, personal support, financial and marketing assistance. It also maintains a resource library of books, magazines, and A-V materials to support women business owners.
December Holiday Schedule
12/11/07
Notary Basics
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Best Western
Fredericksburg, VA
12/11/07
Notary Basics
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Women's Business Center
12/12/07
Become A Notary Signing Agent
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Women's Business Center
12/29/07
Notary Basics
9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
Become A Notary Signing Agent
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Understanding the Mortgage Loan Signing
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Acorn Sales Company
Richmond, VA
Register online:
804 240-3631
We do not
accept walk-ins.
Please register! |
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| Discounted Notary Supplies
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Adam Raidabaugh, President of Acorn Sales Co., offers Virginia notaries a 20% discount for all notary supplies including:
Notary inked seals
Notary traditional embossers
Impression inkers
Notary public decals
Notary public desk signs
Gold foil notary seals
Pocket embosser pouches, embosser box & more!
Use coupon code:
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| In Search of ....... |
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We would like to expand our Notary Spotlight to highlight one Virginia notary and one Virginia notary signing agent. If you are interested in sharing a short story about your life as a notary, your notary work or your notary business, please send us a jpg photo to accompany your story. Email your story and photo to:
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ATTENTION
CRESPA
SIGNING AGENTS!!
Sign up to be on our list of CRESPA
signing agents. Please provide your contact information in an email to Bryce Hall, who will contact you.
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| Hot Spots
for Notary Signing Agents
Recent reports tell us that the hottest spots for witness loan closings are Roanoke, VA and Orange County, VA for mortgage refinances.
How is business in your service area? Are you closing more refinances? Lines of credit? Reverse mortgages? We want to know what's hot or not. Email:
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Have A Friend Sign Up For Any Notary Training Class in December 2007 or January 2008 and Receive a FREE "Journal Of Notarial Acts For Virginia Notaries Public". Notary tested and approved!