Posted by PJM/MI on 3/25/06 6:13am
Msg #108474

A new Michigan Law?

Hey Folks,
I went to a closing last night where the bo works as a corrections officer in Mich. She told me that as of 01/01/06, ALL Michigan notaries must sign in blue ink. I can't find this anywhere in any publication. Is is true or false? (The Mich website doesn't show any new changes since 04/01/04)
I have always signed everything in black, so any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Reply by cfwMI on 3/25/06 6:16am
Msg #108475

That would make things easier (since some companies want blue) I'll do some research, and let you know. I'll check the MCL's to see what changes (if any) are go to take place.

Reply by cfwMI on 3/25/06 6:22am
Msg #108476

Just did a search in the PA (Michigan Legistature) the only change I could see listed is, Notary's will no long have to state (acting in _____County.

Reply by PJM/MI on 3/25/06 7:16am
Msg #108480

Thank you for the info! When did we stop writing in "Acting in the county of _?"

Reply by cfwMI on 3/25/06 7:29am
Msg #108485

It's just a bill, it hasn't passed yet. So still write acting in the county of ___________

Reply by Janlee_MI on 3/25/06 9:20am
Msg #108489

P.J. In Oakland Notary must do black. Or you are fined. n/m

Reply by BetsyMI on 3/25/06 10:11am
Msg #108494

Re: P.J. In Oakland Notary must do black. Or you are fined.

I live in Oakland County and do many closings in Oakland County. I always use whatever color ink the TC or SS or lender instructs me to use and I've never been "fined".

Reply by Ted_MI on 3/25/06 7:53pm
Msg #108600

Re: P.J. In Oakland Notary must do black. Or you are fined.

Hi Betsy,

You may never have been 'fined', but just some advice - if you are doing a signing in Michigan and blue ink is specified, let the borrowers use blue ink. You should use a black ink pen. I did a HELOC signing all in blue ink a year ago, and it was rejected by the Oakland County Register of deeds office.

See Julie's comment below for more specifics.

Reply by cfwMI on 3/25/06 8:13pm
Msg #108603

Re: P.J. In Oakland Notary must do black. Or you are fined.

Ted, could you give me the PA or MCL on the ink color?
TIA

Reply by Mia on 3/26/06 12:32pm
Msg #108654

There isn't one....

There is NOT an MCL that stipulates a specific color of ink.

Reply by Ted_MI on 3/26/06 5:54pm
Msg #108701

Re: Beg your pardon....

Mia,

With all due respect, you are mistaken. I have seen the MCL statute. It came out in 1997. I just don't remember the citation.

Reply by Mia on 3/27/06 7:11am
Msg #108741

Re: Beg your pardon....

Well Ted, I have to disagree with you - - only because I have called the Office of the Great
Seal back in May 2005 regarding this very issue (color of ink that Notaries are to use).
I called and spoke with Robin at the Office of the Great Seal because, YOU brought this
up in 2005.
Let me state again what Robin stated. Robin said to refer everyone to MCL 55.287 --
which is in reference to "Signature of Notary Public" - which does NOT stipulate any color
whatsoever. Robin also stated that no one can impose requirements on Notaries that
aren't in the "Acts". Even our stamps (with our name, when our comission expires, acting
in County of ___ etc.) don't have to be a certain color (there is no requirement that we
even use a stamp... we can write it if we want).

I find it best to check with the Office of the Great Seal, for definitive answers. That is why the State has the Notary Division.

I'm not trying to be controversial. If you don't believe what I say, just contact the Office of the
Great Seal for clarification (this is what our tax dollars go for).

Reply by Marlene/USNA on 3/27/06 10:07am
Msg #108779

Re: Good suggestion. . .

. . .get it from the horse's mouth. Sometimes the Notary Public Administrator in any state may make a recommendation to resolve an issue that is not covered by statute, or they may provide an interpretation an unclear statute. These things should be in the state's handbook, but where there is no handbook or the handbook has not been updated, or to answer any question, call the Notary Division.

I know some notary offices are not forthcoming with information - good, bad or indifferent - but call anyway to cover all your bases.

Reply by Mia on 3/26/06 12:42pm
Msg #108655

Are you sure?

Ted, are you sure that the "color" of ink was what they rejected, or something else.
There isn't any Notary Law (MCL) that states that the Notary is to use a specific
colored ink.
Call the Office of the Great Seal -- then you will get the information from the top
heads of the Notary Division.

Reply by Julie/MI on 3/25/06 10:39am
Msg #108497

Correction officers may have to follow this order, the rest of us do not.

I do walk-through recordings in Oakland and I have never ever seen a fine for using blue ink.

The law says the text of the document as well as "fill-in" stuff such as notary adding the venue, date, etc has to be in black, but signatures only my be in blue.