 |
|
2008 Changes In Virginia Notary Law
New Laws Became Effective July 1, 2008
Several changes in Virginia Notary Public Law are now in effect. A major change is that all notaries are required to use an official notary seal, which must be a sharp, legible, permanent and photographically reproducible image.
What is an official notary seal? It can be either an
embossed raised  seal that has been rubbed (with pencil/charcoal stick/carbon paper) or impression inker or it can be an inked stamp seal. If anyone in your office is not using an official notary seal or if they are using an embosser without darkening the image, please alert them to the new law.
Please view the following important links:
|
|
In addition to the required use of an official notary seal, the changes are
1. You may notarize a document without the notarial certificate being on the same page as the signature(s) being notarized. The notarial certificate must include the name(s) of each person whose signature is being notarized. (Learn more about "loose certificates" by taking a Notary Law & Procedures "Basics" or "Refresher" class.)
2. There is no recommendation process on the new notary application.
3. If you have been convicted of a felony and indicate on your notary application that you have NOT been convicted of a felony anywhere in the United States, you will be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
4. eNotarization has been postponed. |
| Do you want to know the scoop on notarizing for relatives? Read our May 2008 issue at VNPC eNews Archives |
| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
We have a document that is notarized and goes to the courthouse for recording. Eventually the notarized copy comes back to our office. Can we make two copies of the original notarized document (one for our staff file and one for the customer to keep) before sending it to the courthouse?
Making copies of notarized documents for your file or the customer's file is very commonplace. The required official seal of a Virginia Notary Public must be photographically reproducible. Keep in mind that if you are certifying a true copy of a document, you must examine the original document and make the photocopy of it yourself prior to certification.
Can I translate documents and notarize them? Can I have a translator present during an Oath? Can I administer an Oath in Spanish if I speak Spanish?
As a notary, you may receive requests from the public to certify a translation. A notary is not allowed to certify a translation; however, a  notary may notarize the signature statement of the translator indicating that the translation was performed accurately, but be very careful that you do not give the impression that you are certifying the translation. A document which is in another language must be notarized using an English notary certificate. Oaths must be performed in English. A translator may be present if the person does not speak English. If you speak Spanish, you are still required to administer the Oath in English as English is the language of the Commonwealth.
How can I get a copy of the Virginia Notary Public Classes FAQs?
|
Do you have more than five notaries at your workplace?: Tell your boss that we can make arrangements to travel to your workplace and provide "Notary Law & Procedures Refresher" training for small groups of 5-20 notaries. Does your Employer know what their liability as a Notary Employer is?
- On-site training for your Employee Notaries
- "Notary Basics" or "Notary Law & Procedures Refresher"
- Contact Bryce Hall at 804 240-3631 for more information.
. |
| Notary Spotlight
Michelle Hisey - Notary Signing Agent
My name is Michelle Hisey and I work for Wells Fargo Funding based our of Harrisonburg, Virginia. I live in the Shenandoah Valley with my husband of 27 years and our pup "Simba". We enjoy  deep-sea fishing, camping, hiking, and playing tennis in our spare time.
Since obtaining my commission in April of 2008, I have laid the foundation and started my new business "Simply Notable" which provides mobile notary/loan signing services for persons who cannot leave work to have their documents notarized during normal business hours. I cannot tell you how many wonderful people I have met since I have become a notary. What a wonderful career!
|
|
|
| Reminder from the Notary Division: Effective July 1, 2008 all Virginia Notaries will be required to use an official notary seal which must be a sharp, legible, permanent and photographically reproducible image. View all 2008 Notary Law Changes
|
 Seven (7) Standard Items Required In Every Notarial Act
1. Notarial Statement
2. The date of the notarial act
3. The place of the notarial act
4. The expiration date of the notary's commission
5. Notary's signature
6. Notary's registration number
7. Notary's seal (embosser/ink stamp)
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
July Classes
|
|
Our July classes taught at Acorn Sales Company in Richmond will be expanded to one additional Saturday and two evenings.
Notary Law & Procedures "Basics" for new/future notaries and "Refresher" for seasoned notaries will be taught.
Signing Agent classes in July will be via HOME STUDY only. Note: Minimum signups will be required due to the high cost of gas. Register early.
Check out our complete Schedule of Classes for all class descriptions, dates, and locations nearest you.
07/09/08 - Richmond
Notary Basics
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
07/12/08 - Richmond
Notary Refresher
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Notary Basics
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Notary Basics
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
min. 4 each class
07/23/08 - Richmond
Notary Refresher
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
min. 4
07/26/08 -Richmond
Notary Basics
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Notary Refresher
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Notary Refresher
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
min. 4 each class
Register online:
804 240-3631
We do not
accept walk-ins.
Please register! |
 |
| 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:
|
 |
 |
| Notary Law & Procedures
"Basics" or "Refresher"
|
|
Our "Notary Basics" class is geared to newly commissioned and future notaries. An in-depth review of the 2008 Virginia Notary Handbook will develop your confidence level while making you aware of the importance of being a Virginia Notary Public.
Our "Refresher" training is an excellent update for seasoned notaries who are encouraged to bring in forms that they have been notarizing and have questions about. A thorough view of the 2008 Virginia Notary Handbook will ensure that you are current in your notarization.
Both classes can experience "hands on" notary practice using a variety of notary tools i.e. pre-inked, self-inking and hand stamp seals or the traditional embosser with an impression inker.
"Taking a Class is Your Pass to a Legal Notarization."
| |
|
