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Effective April 2, 2020 and for the duration of the declared public health emergency unless rescinded or extended by proclamation.
View the Proclamation…
This Proclamation gives all commissioned Alabama Notaries the ability to officiate for notarization of wet-signed paper documents, using videoconference technology to enable presence before the Notary of the principal signer and any witnesses.
An earlier Proclamation limited this authority to Alabama Attorney-Notaries and Notaries being supervised by an Alabama Attorney, but those limitations are now lifted. The April 2, 2020 Proclamation granting these powers expires at the end of Alabama's declared public health emergency unless it is rescinded or extended.
American Society of Notaries offers the following procedural steps for consideration.
Often, when a signed document is destined for use in another country, signatures made on the document by certain officials must be “authenticated” so that the official acts tied to those signatures are recognized in the receiving country.
Many Notaries—even those who notarize primarily for work—earn extra money on the side by performing notarizations for the general public and charging the allowed statutory fee. Establishing simple but consistent business recordkeeping practices at the beginning of the tax year saves considerable time on the back-end, when it’s time to report your annual earnings.
Read more: Year-Round and Tax-Time Tips for Sole Proprietor Notaries: Income
Your smartphone is your mobile office as a notary signing agent — so it needs to be just as reliable as your printer and your stamp!
We put together a guide covering the essential security and productivity apps every signing agent should have on their phone — plus tips on downloading safely and staying updated.
Read more: Best Apps for Notary Signing Agents: Smartphone Security & Productivity Guide
Did you know that failing to update your name or address could lead to penalties, including suspension or revocation of your notary commission?
Read more: Ch-Ch-Changing: Why It’s Important to Keep Your Notary Information Current
Multiple Florida news outlets recently reported the arrest of a commissioned notary public, accused of fraud connected to a signed agreement between her employer and the person who signed it.
Read more: Notary Personal Appearance Rule: Why Skipping It Led to a Florida Arrest