 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Become a Maine notary public with Notary Rotary, Inc.Qualifications:To be considered for the office of notary public for the state of Maine an individual must meet the following criteria:
If these criteria are met, a registered Maine voter who can attest to the applicant's ability to perform the duties required of a Notary Public must then recommend the applicant for the commission. The Municipal Clerk or Registrar of Voters for the applicant's municipality must also verify the residency requirement by signing and sealing the application form. If the applicant has been convicted of a crime for which imprisonment may be a penalty, the applicant is ineligible for appointment for the following reasons: awaiting sentencing, free pending the appeal of the conviction, incarcerated or under probation or parole. Conviction of certain crimes involving dishonesty renders a person ineligible for 10 years following release, the termination of probation or if the applicant was not incarcerated, after the date of the conviction. Additionally, if the applicant has been or is now currently a Notary Public in another state or jurisdiction and the applicant's commission has been suspended or revoked for official misconduct during the 5 year period preceding the date of application, the applicant is not eligible for appointment. Note: Maine notary public commission renewals can now be completed online using the Total Notary Solution - Online Renewal option from the office of the Maine Secretary of State. Length of notary public commission:A Maine notary public commission lasts for a term of seven years. At the end of the seven-year commission, the Notary Public will have the option of applying for a renewal of this commission. Step 1: Download and complete the appropriate notary public application form.Application for appointment as a Maine Notary Public - Maine resident Application for appointment as a Maine notary public - New Hampshire resident The application contains detailed instructions explaining how it and the accompanying notary knowledge test are to be completed. Follow the instructions exactly as any discrepancies can cause a delay in processing. If you have questions about this application, please call the Notary Public Section at (207) 624-7752. The application must be returned, together with the $50.00 application fee made payable to the Secretary of State, to the following address:
Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions The Secretary of State considers applications for Notary Public appointments. If the Secretary of State determines that the applicant is suitable, commission paperwork is issued and mailed directly to the applicant. Step 2: Swear your oath of office in the presence of a Dedimus Justice.An applicant is not permitted to act as a Notary Public at the time the commission is first issued. Under the provisions of the Maine Constitution, the applicant must first qualify by swearing an oath of office before a Dedimus Justice. Any Dedimus Justice in the State of Maine may administer the oath of office. Upon appointment, each appointee will receive a Certificate of Qualification (oath of office form) and a notice describing the process of being sworn into office. The date of the applicant's appointment appears on the front of the Certificate of Qualification and the notice accompanying this document. The applicant must take the oath of office before a Dedimus Justice within 30 days of the date of the applicant's appointment. After administering the oath of office, the Dedimus Justice will complete the Certificate of Qualification. To find a Dedimus Justice in your area, you may contact the Notary Public Section at (207) 624-7752, or visit the Secretary of State website at: http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/notary/index.html The applicant must then return the completed Certificate of Qualification to the Department of the Secretary of State within 45 days of the date of the applicant's appointment. It is the responsibility of the applicant, not the Dedimus Justice, to ensure that the Certificate of Qualification physically arrives on time with the Secretary of State. It is recommended that the use of "return receipt requested" mail or hand delivery be used to ensure the timely recording of the oath of office. Important Note: If the applicant for the office of Notary Public is not sworn into office by a Dedimus Justice within 30 days and/or the Certificate of Qualification is not received by the Secretary of State within 45 days of the date of appointment, the commission is suspended and the applicant must contact the Secretary of State's office to obtain a new Certificate of Qualification to achieve a valid appointment. Therefore, an applicant should not order notarial supplies with the commission date on it until the applicant receives the Certificate of Office. If an applicant fails to qualify for any reason, the commission date will change when the new appointment is processed. Upon receipt of the properly completed Certificate of Qualification, the appointee's Certificate of Office will be mailed. This is the only evidence that the Secretary of State has received your oath of office form in a timely manner. Step 3: Order your supplies from Notary Rotary, Inc.Please visit our store by clicking on the following link: Maine Notary Supplies Choose Maine from the drop down menu and click the enter store button. It is optional for Notaries Public in the State of Maine to own or use an embossing seal or a Maine notary seal stamp with their name and expiration date. Although there is no legal requirement in Maine for a notary public to own or use a seal or record book, many choose to as a matter of convenience and record keeping. A journal can also assist in determining what happened if a notarial act is ever called into question. The notary journal available in the online store was specifically designed for notaries public and is perfect for this type of work. Follow the onscreen instructions through the order process and your order will ship as soon as we are able to process it, usually no more than two days before shipment. Once you receive your seal and supplies you will be ready to begin your duties as a notary public for the State of Maine. |