NOTARY PUBLIC

DEFINITIONS OF A NOTARY PUBLIC

A Notary Public is a public officer whose function is: 

1. To administer oaths; and

2. To attest and certify, by his signature and official seal, certain classes of documents, in order to give them credit and authenticity; and

3. To take acknowledgments of deeds and other conveyances and certify the same; and

4. To perform certain official acts, chiefly in commercial matters, such as the protesting of notes and bills, the notice of foreign drafts, and marine protests in cases of damage.

TYPES OF NOTARIES

1. State-at-large; may perform duties of the office State-wide;
2. County; may perform duties of the office only in the County where applicant is appointed.

NOTARY PUBLIC REQUIREMENTS FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY

1. Must be a resident of Montgomery County; and
2. Must be a registered voter in Montgomery County or provide documentation establishing proof of residency; and
3. Must be capable of posting bond in the required amount.

STEPS TO BE APPOINTED A NOTARY

1. Complete notary public application;
2. Submit notary bond for $10,000 from an insurance company;
3. Submit $15.00 filing fee payable to Judge of Probate;
4. Judge of Probate will mail approved certification to applicant within three weeks;
5. Notary seal is obtained from office supply company.

STEPS TO BE APPOINTED NOTARY FOR STATE EMPLOYEES

1. Complete notary public application;
2. Submit official letter from supervisor on department letterhead confirming your coverage under the State Blanket Bond policy;
3. Submit $15.00 filing fee payable to Judge of Probate;
4. Judge of Probate will mail approved certification to applicant within three weeks;
5. Notary seal is obtained from office supply company.

The office of a Notary Public is a serious and responsible public office and should not be taken lightly.  Abuse of the office or irresponsibility in the performance of notarial duties can result in grave consequences.  If a Notary Public has doubts about the propriety of any action, he or she should seek competent professional advice before he or she acts. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

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Mail your documents to the following address

Reese McKinney, Jr.
Judge of Probate
P. O. Box 223
Montgomery, Al.  36101
Attention:  Notary Department
(334)832-1232

For more information about Notary Public, you may want to purchase the handbook, a Manual for Notaries Public, published by the Young lawyer's Section of the Alabama State Bar.  The manual costs $5.00.

You may also access the link to State Legislature to obtain notary public information in the Code of Alabama (Section 36-20-1) at: 

http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm