|
Qualifications For Appointment As A Notary Public
Unlimited number of notaries public can be appointed
Under the laws of Virginia, an unlimited number of notaries can be appointed. According to the Notary Division there are approximately 120,000 notaries at any given time. The eligibility requirements are:
1) A notary must be at least 18 years old.
2) A notary must be able to read and write English.
3) There is no minimum residency requirement.
4) No felony conviction unless pardoned or vacated by the granting of a writ of actual innocence.
The requirement to be a U.S. citizen is no longer in effect due to a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1984 (Bernal v. Fainter, 467 US 216).
Non-residents may be appointed as notaries if they are regularly employed in the state and performs notary services in connection with their employment. |
|
|
| MISSED AN ISSUE OF VNPC eNEWS? We now have an Archives. Our premier issue, October 2007, through February 2008 can be viewed at VNPC eNews Archives. |
| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
What color ink should I order for my self-inking notary seal/stamp?
The Code of Virginia does not specify the color of ink for a notary's inking seal. When signing a notary's signature black or blue ink is preferred for recording purposes in court. We recommend using blue or black ink which copies, scans and faxes properly. Adam Raidabaugh, President of Acorn Sales Co., confirms that most popular ink color for notary seals is blue or black. Every now and then Adam will have a request for green or red ink.
Special Note: In Utah, it is required that the notary's ink stamp/seal color is purple.
I got married two weeks ago. Since I am now using my married name, can I continue using my current notary seal in my maiden name?
 A notary who changes his/her name must indicate the name change when notarizing documents. For example: if Mary A. Smith changes to her married name Mary Smith Harris then she will make the following notation after signing her new name.
"My commission expires this ___day of____20__.
I was commissioned a notary public as Mary A. Smith",'
Mary Smith Harris can continue to use her maiden name notary seal until her commission expires. At that time she can reapply under her married name. |
| ATTENTION EMPLOYERS: Are your Employee Notaries fully trained in Virginia Notary Public Law? Do you know what your liability as a Notary Employer is? We offer "Notary Basics" and "Notary Law & Procedures Refresher" training at your location in order to accommodate you and your employee notaries. Be confident in your Employee Notaries' notary skills. Contact Bryce Hall at 804 240-3631 for complete details.
. |
| Notary Spotlight
Dawn Cox - Notary Public
Dawn Cox is a full time employee notary. Often she notarizes 30 documents per day at the dealership where she works. Occasionally Dawn will travel in Spotsylvannia County and perform mobile notary services.
Dawn has learned that while mapquest directions come in handy during the daylight hours, a GPS system is far more effective in guiding you to your mobile destination on dark, rural roads. Congratulations to Dawn who is celebrating her one year anniversary of providing notary public services. |
|
Sharon Stango and Rhonda Sayen - Mobile Signing Agents
Sharon Stango and Rhonda Sayen of USA Mobile Notaries are a mother/daughter team who have been working in harmony for the past six years. Sharon has been a notary public for the last 30 years. In 2000 she became a notary signing agent. Rhonda, a stay-at-home mother of four, became a notary/signing agent after her mom, Sharon, introduced her to the opportunity. Together they joined forces to develop USA Mobile Notaries.
Their slogan is "Our Service Comes To You". Between the two of them,  they have witness signed over 3,800 loans in the past 6 years. Sharon Stango is also a non-denominational minister who travels throughout Virginia and performs weddings. Sharon especially enjoys outdoor weddings at beaches, mountains and in vineyards.
|
Reminder from the Notary Division: Authentications in Virginia
The purpose of authentications is to verify for foreign governments that a Virginia official is in good standing. These officials include notaries public for the Commonwealth. One type of authentication is the Apostille. The Apostille is used for countries that have joined the 1962 Hague Convention. The convention provides for simplified certification of public (including notarized) documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. More information on the authentication process can be found at http://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/OfficialDocuments/Authentications/authentications.cfm
|
 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. There is still time to become a licensed title insurance agent before the law changes (proposed changes would be effective July 1, 2008) requiring 16 hours of mandatory instruction.
|
Brad started his insurance career over 20 years ago writing insurance and license bonding for real estate law firms throughout Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. His department has grown over the years to include all insurance and license bonding for mortgage lenders, mortgage brokers, real estate agencies, title agencies, escrow/closers, abstractors and appraisers. 
If you are a Notary Signing Agent seeking CRESPA registration, please contact Brad Swanson at 800 954-3335 to discuss the bond and E/O insurance requirements. |
| NEWS FROM THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
HB 431 - Title insurance agents; pre-licensing education course. Requires applicants for a resident title insurance agent license to have completed, within the year preceding application and examination, at least 16 hours of instruction through a classroom or distance education. proposal will require 16 hours of prelicensing education (CRESPA, RESPA, Wet Settlement Act, etc.) before sitting for the title insurance exam. (of interest to Notary Signing Agents) Status: Passed Committee, House & Senate
Senate Bill 118: Proposes to remove the requirement that certain wording appear on the same page as signatures when multiple signatures are required on a document that needs to be notarized.
(of interest to all VA Notaries Public) Status: Passed by Committee & Senate
HB 218: Clarifies provisions relating to the adoption of electronic notarization and transitioning to the required seal application on notarized documents. The bill also clarifies the validity of documents notarized within and without the Commonwealth, and when documents are conclusively presumed to be in proper form following recordation. The bill removes the requirement that a notary must be recommended by a public official for appointment. Status: Passed by Committee, House & Senate
Note: We will keep you posted on all updates which may affect Notary Signing Agents and Notaries Public. Updates may be sent as separate emails or may be included in upcoming monthly eNews issues. | |
|
|
|
 |
| It's Spring!
Take A Class! |
|
Bryce Hall takes our Mobile Classroom on the road monthly to teach "Notary Basics" and "Become A Notary Signing Agent" classes. Check out our complete Schedule of Classes for dates/locations nearest you.
03/10/08 - Richmond
Notary Basics - All Day!
9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
3/11/08 - Springfield
Understanding The Mortgage Loan Signing For
Notary Signing Agents
6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
3/17/08 - Norfolk
Notary Basics
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Become A Notary Signing Agent
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
3/18/08 - Stafford
Notary Basics
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
3/18/08 - Springfield
Notary Basics
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
3/20/08 - Springfield
Become A Notary Signing Agent
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
3/22/08 - Richmond
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 for
Notary Signing Agents
3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
03/24/08 - Richmond
Notary Law & Procedures Refresher - ALL DAY!
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Register online:
804 240-3631
We do not
accept walk-ins.
Please register! |
 |
|
Coming In March
Monday "Notary Basics"
3/10/08
Monday "Notary Law & Procedures Refresher"
3/24/08
Acorn Sales Company
Richmond, VA
March 10th is the day set for "Notary Basics" classes. These classes for newly commissioned and future notaries public will be held three times throughout the day.
On March 24th our "Notary Law & Procedures Refresher" classes will be held. This two hour class is geared toward the seasoned notary who may want a refresher in the 2007 Notary Law changes.
If you are an Employee Notary this is a great opportunity for you to take weekday training. Reserve your seat early! Small classes are limited to six spaces per class.
Morning Break
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Coffee & Donuts served
Lunch Break
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Bring a bag lunch.
Beverage & snack included
Afternoon Break
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Beverage & snack included
|
|
|
 |
| Discounted Notary Supplies
|
|
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:
|
|
| Lucky 7 Winners! |
|
Congratulations to the Winners of our "Journal of Notarial Acts for Virginia Notaries Public". The following notaries were unique visitors to our February eNews.
7th - Lloyd L. of Chesapeake
77th - Alex H. of Hampton
177th - momofanavyman - please contact Bryce to receive your Notary Journal.
| |
|
