Bill > S2064

This bill aims to strengthen regulations for notaries public to better protect consumers and ensure the validity of legal documents. It clarifies that acknowledgments of deeds and other instruments must be made by the grantor or their authorized representative. The bill also defines various notarial acts, such as acknowledgments, affirmations, jurats, and signature witnessings, and specifies the requirements for each, including the need for satisfactory evidence of identity for the person appearing before the notary. It outlines specific rules for notary seals and stamps, mandates the keeping of a notarial journal to record acts performed (with exceptions for attorneys and government employees), and details grounds for denying or revoking a notary commission, such as misrepresentation or criminal convictions. Furthermore, the bill prohibits non-attorney notaries from providing legal advice or implying they are attorneys, particularly in immigration matters, and establishes penalties for violations, including fines and potential imprisonment, as well as civil remedies for those harmed by misconduct. Finally, it clarifies that the failure to use specific forms or comply with certain procedural requirements will not invalidate an underlying document or its recording, and it exempts notaries from charging fees for notarizing absentee ballots and certain veteran benefit documents.