Connecticut Notary Public Manual

There are many reasons why someone would seek to be a notary public. You might be the owner of a small business; you may work in an office where clients and customers have frequent need of a notary's services; you may enjoy the official nature of the duties; or it may be a requirement of your job. No matter what the reason, appointment as a notary public is a serious undertaking. The notary is a ?public official, ? a person given a public trust, a person whose duties and responsibilities cannot be taken lightly. The notary serves a vital role in the execution of a wide range of documents. Whenever individuals see a document that has been ?notarized, ? they should be confident that the notarial act has been performed correctly. As a notary public it is your responsibility to use intelligence and judgment, and always perform your duties as required by Connecticut State law. You must remember that others are relying on your honesty and integrit

Before a person can perform notarial acts as a notary public, he or she must receive a commission as evidence of authority to perform those acts. Notaries are appointed by the Governor and commissioned by the Secretary of State (§26-1-10). Applicants must take the oath of office found in the South Carolina Constitution, which is included in the notary public application (§26-1-40). The application must be signed with pen and ink and the signature of the applicant must be acknowledged by a person authorized to administer oaths (§26-1-40). The date of your signature and the date of the notarization must match. You cannot notarize your own signature on the application or at any other time. The bottom part of the application is to be completed by your legislative delegation. The application fee is $25.00, made payable to the Secretary of State's Office. Once you have completed the application, you will mail it along with the fee to your county's legislative delegation office to be processed.

This document is the Notary Public and Justice of the Peace manual prepared by the Secretary of State with the advice and approval of the Attorney General pursuant to RSA 455:17. The manual addresses the law and other relevant information pertaining to Notaries Public and Justices of the Peace in the State of New Hampshire. It also briefly addresses the role and function of Commissioners of Deeds and other officials authorized by statute to perform notarial acts. The manual is organized into sections. First, the Uniform Law on Notarial Acts is covered. Second, for each officer, the duties, recommended procedures, and other relevant information are addressed. Third, ethical considerations for all notarial officers are addressed, and the Notary Public Code of Responsibility - Guiding Principles, developed by the National Notary Association, is included. Finally, sample documents and copies of forms, and other information are provided in the Appendix.