Alabama SB 54 - More than just a Senate Bill for Notaries

It's been nearly six years since Senate Bill 54 became law in January 2012, affecting thousands of notaries throughout Alabama.   So why blog about it now?  Well, it isn't the first time and it won't be the last because there are still hundreds, if not thousands, of notaries who never heard of it.

SB 54 is important because it is the only document that outlines Alabama's current Notary Public duties and requirements.  Everything else that existed previously was replaced by SB 54.  If a notary still relies on instructions and handbooks dated prior to 2012, she's using outdated information which could pose problems down the line.

Most notaries will have tons of questions after reading the law. It is silent about the use of notary journals, credible witnesses, and copy certifications.  It does address the notary fee increasing to $5.00; but says nothing about the types of ID notaries should accept to identify signers, and if we can notarize for family members.

As someone who notarizes 10-20 signatures a week, and trains other notaries, I find the lack of a true handbook to be frustrating and challenging.  If I teach class strictly by what's outlined in SB 54, it would take less than thirty minutes, and notaries still wouldn't know the difference between an Acknowledgement, Jurat and Copy Certification (the three most common notarial acts).  So instead, I combine Alabama Notary Law (SB 54) with nationally-accepted, notary best practice.  I am careful to explain the difference to students and let them decide how to proceed.  For now, it's the best I can do.

A copy of SB 54 in its entirety is found on our website (Notaries for Alabama).  For more information about notary classes and other events, call our office or join us on Facebook where we have a private group, and where all commissioned Alabama notaries are welcome.

The Importance of Networking for Professional Notaries

I was reminded earlier this month of the importance and benefits of networking with others.  Our office at Notaries for Alabama receives about ten calls every week from people looking for a notary public.  Since I no longer reside in Jefferson County, Alabama I've been referring those requests to notaries in that area. I have a list of men and women who provide traveling notary services in Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile and Huntsville.

Last week a call came in from an attorney who was in a bind. He needed an experienced notary to meet with him, nurses, doctors and other professionals for 1 1/2 days screening potential clients for a case.  The notary would notarize signatures on Affidavits.  He was offering $25 per hour.

I thought about accepting the assignment myself. I didn't have any appointments scheduled for those days and the work sounded interesting.  The problem, however, was that it would take me 1 1/2 hours to drive from my home to Jefferson County one-way. When I calculated the gas and time on the road for the trip there and back just didn't make sense.  So I sent a text to the list of notaries I knew who covered that area.  Everyone on the list is affiliated with Notaries for Alabama in some form or fashion. Some are paid members of the group and have been for 2-3 years.  Others, are former students of Notary Basics - a 4 1/2 hour training class sponsored by Notaries for Alabama.  Everyone on my list had asked me to send work their way when requests came in  Thankfully, a guy who had attended a recent Notary Basics training class was interested in the assignment.  He was also a notary signing agent  I gave him the attorney's name and number and told him the fee the attorney offered and then explained it was up to him to accept the attorney's fee or set his own fee.  Later that night I received a text from the attorney thanking me for locating the notary.

Fast forward to three days ago.  I was back in Birmingham for our notary group's final membership meeting for the year.  Notaries for Alabama has been holding meetings in Birmingham since 2013. The notary who took the assignment was there. It was his first member meeting.   I hadn't talk to him since I referred that job to him.  During a break he thanked me again for the work.  I asked him to tell the group about it and he did.  He said once he had a better understanding of what was required of him and the scope of the project he asked the attorney for more money. When he left the assignment he had earned just a little more than $1,000.00 - for 1 1/2 days of notary work.  Not bad, right?

Notaries for Alabama has been in existence since 2013. Its main objective was and continues to be to provide training, mentoring and networking opportunities to Alabama's notaries.  We've accomplished that and more.  If you are a notary or are interested in becoming one, make sure we have your name and email address so that we can make you aware of training and networking events around the state. If you aren't connected to other notaries, or to a notary group or association you're missing out.

Make sure you're connected in 2017.  You can reach us at www.notariesforalabama.com.

Notaries are "kind, smart, and important".

Last year at this time a small group of Birmingham Notaries were gearing up for a big celebratory event - National Notary Public Day, on November 7th.

Perhaps you saw us - racing through town to pick up our newly designed tee-shirts.  We may have passed you on Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd as we hurried downtown to the Birmingham Library to decorate.  Or, maybe you were one of the lucky ones who stopped by the Library on November 7th to take advantage of our free notary services.  It was a big deal. Elected Officials stopped by.  Proclamations were read. Speeches were made.  Signatures were notarized.

This year, our notary group, Notaries for Alabama, is gearing up once again to bring attention to the important role notaries play, not only in Birmingham, but all across Alabama.  It's a role that carries a lot of responsibility but rarely gets much recognition.

On Tuesday, November 4th, we will host a "Notary Clinic" for 25-30 small business owners, who are notaries or employ notaries. On Saturday, November 15th, Notaries for Alabama will provide a delicious lunch to the women and children of a local shelter. We want them to know that Alabama Notaries care about them.

Are there Notaries in your office?  If so, stop by their desk or office this week and let them know you appreciate them.  A "thank you" will suffice, but if you really want to make an impression, take a few minutes and ask them how they use their Notary Commission at work.  You just might be surprised by what you learn.

Are you a Notary?  Whether you reside in Alabama, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, New York, or somewhere else, there's a good chance there are events planned for you this week.  Just check with your local notary association, or Secretary of State office.

It isn't a Holiday.  There are no gifts to unwrap or turkey to carve.  But it is an important day that recognizes important men and women, who perform a very important role in our communities.  Tell a Notary that you care.

National Notary Public Day will be recognized across America on Friday, November 7, 2014.  Events will be held beginning today through the end of the month.

*Note:  In the above photo taken 7-November 2013 (from left to right): Michelle Riley, Founder, Notaries for Alabama; The Honorable Jim Bennett, Alabama Secretary of State; Willie Osborne, Notaries for Alabama; Mr. Charles Long, Birmingham Mayor's Office, State Representative Rod Scott (55th District); and Harriette Littleton, Charter Member, Notaries for Alabama.