United States Notary Blog

Texas OKs Electronic Signatures on Advance Medical Directives

USNA — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:53:44 +0000

The Texas Legislature has approved a measure that will allow electronic or digital signatures that are witnessed by a notary public or another individual to be placed on advance medical directives (AMD.)

Texas Amends Notary Public Act

USNA — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:19:34 +0000

Texas has changed its Notary Public Law regarding the eligibility to hold office.

New Mexico Enacts the Uniform Unsworn Foreign Declarations Acts

USNA — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:23:37 +0000

New Mexico has enacted the Uniform Unsworn Foreign Declarations Act, which permits the use of an unsworn declaration meeting certain requirements. This type of declaration is submitted by a person located outside the boundaries of the United States and has the same effect as a sworn declaration.

Massachusetts Legal Case Sets Precedent for Notary Signing Agents

USNA — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:46:16 +0000

A Massachusetts lawsuit filed against National Real Estate Information Services (NREIS), a multistate real estate settlement services provider and title insurance agency, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, set a legal precedent in protecting the notary signing agent industry.

Notarial Record Form for Signing Agents in Cook County, IL

USNA — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:05:14 +0000

For your convenience, USNA is providing a downloadable copy of the Notarial Record - Residential Real Property Transactions form. Beginning on June 1, 2009, this form will be required by the state when real property in Cook County is sold or conveyed.

Notaries Thumbs Down on Thumbprint Law

USNA — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:02:39 +0000

The new fingerprint and notarial record law in Cook County, Illinois, which goes into effect June 1, 2009, has notaries statewide clamoring in protest.

Staying off the Bad Notary List

USNA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:36:49 +0000

If your name has appeared on the Secretary of State's list of "bad" notaries, chances are, you've committed what's become the Number One issue that gets notaries in trouble time and time again.

Federal ID Check System Flawed

USNA — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:27:22 +0000

An electronic system used by businesses to prevent the hiring of illegal immigrants has obvious drawbacks, critics say. About 107,000 of the country’s 7.4 million employers now use E-Verify, a Homeland Security Department database that checks names and identification documents of employees. The free online program checks document numbers, such as Social Security numbers, drivers’ [...]

NCCUSL Moves Forward with Uniform Notary Law

USNA — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:37:01 +0000

Even as a few states have introduced new notary legislation in their current sessions, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) is moving forward with its revision of a 1982 uniform notarial law that is already at work in 12 states. The drafting committee to revise the Uniform Law on Notarial Acts [...]

Alabama Introduces Bill on URPERA

USNA — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:59:06 +0000

The Alabama Senate has introduced a bill to adopt the Alabama Uniform Real Property Recording Act (URPERA).

Montana Bill Proposes Notary Law Changes

USNA — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:50:46 +0000

The Montana Senate is studying a proposal that would change the state’s notary law.

Nevada Senate Introduces Electronic Notarization Bill

USNA — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:16:19 +0000

The Nevada senate has introduced a bill that would authorize the Secretary of State to appoint electronic notaries and thus allow electronic notarization.

New Homeownership Scam

USNA — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:17:40 +0000

A new homeownership scam is slowly invading segments of California.

Ordinance Regulates Vehicle Sales

USNA — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:50:44 +0000

Officials in Ocean Springs, Miss., now require notarized statements placed in vehicles that are listed for sale by private owners and parked on commercial, public or private property.

New Alert System Helps Property Owners Combat Fraud

USNA — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:40:58 +0000

The Recorders Office in Warrick County, IN, is providing residents with a new service to help fight mortgage fraud.