Here in CT most "public" / "government" offices do not allow their staff notaries public to notarize anything that it not directly connected to that office.
Why: Many businesses, banks and towns have been brought into a lawsuit "just because" the notary performed the notarization during business hours on business property. The "deep pockets" theory: the employer's insurance company then "pays [settles] to make it go away." It doesn't matter if the notary did nothing wrong, it is the fact the notary can always be brought into the lawsuit and later, if proven "nothing wrong," settled or removed. The notary is ALWAYS a witness to the person; i.e., notary must prove "followed the law" for identification, signing knew what s/he was signing, no undue influence, etc. Businesses not happy with notary's time out of work because of a deposition for notarizing "on business time, but NOT for the business." |
