Posted by MagicLadyCA on 2/10/08 5:09pm
Msg #234867

Expired Commission Problems in CA

Just wondering if there are any other California notaries having problems renewing their commissions. My commission expired Feb 3rd and I am in Never Never Land with the Secretary of State. I have been a notary for almost 20 years and have never had a problem with renewing my commission or have I ever had a lapse in my commission. I began my reneweal process in October through the NNA. I am now realizing THAT may have been the problem.

When I took their class in Sacramento (in October), we were told that renewing notaries did not have to have Live Scan figerprints done. They did have the Live Scan there for new notaries. I passed my test and submitted all of my paperwork before Thanksgiving. It was all returned to me in December as I had not submitted Live Scan fingerprints OR submitted passport photos. Neither of those changes in California Law (effective Jan 1st) were addressed at the NNA class.

I re-submitted all of my paperwork, Live Scan fingerprints and photos before Christmas. Mid-January, I called the Secretary of State to find out where my paperwork was in the process. I was told that my fingerprints were rejected because the Live Scan wasn't submitted to BOTH the DOJ and the FBI, also a new requirment effective Jan 1st.

She faxed me the paperwork I needed and I re-re-submitted everything and am waiting.... I was told by the clerk at the Secretary of State that this was happening to a lot of notaries whose commissions expired early in 2008.

Sitting here, out of work, and wondering if this has effected anyone else....

Reply by calipat on 2/10/08 6:58pm
Msg #234876

I just took my class yesterday and there was a person there doing the livescan and also someone taking the passport photos. I did all that so I will see how long that takes. Suppossedly the person givng the class and the person doing the livescan said that the livescan process would go out on Monday. I will get my test results in about 2 weeks and they said at least the live scan will be 2 weeks ahead of the results. I am hoping I don't lapse either. My commission lapses On June 1.
The person giving the class said it takes the DOJ and especially the FBI about 6-8 weeks to finish their end of the deal.
Guess I will just sit (and hopefully be busier than usual) and wait.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 2/10/08 9:36pm
Msg #234881

I hear it's a mess in Sacramento, also. I am going to start the process next month even though I expire at the end of November.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/10/08 9:45pm
Msg #234882

"I expire at the end of November. "

Ouch! I wish you would rephrase that Glenn

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 2/11/08 12:05am
Msg #234890

CA has changed the rules

You can now take the test 1 year before your commission expires; it use to be 6 months.

Some of the renewing notaries who took the test in 2007 but their commission expired in 2008 have had some problems.

Keep in mind for the future that from now on all CA notaries will have to have their fingerprints scanned and a passport photo taken every 4 years.

I can't imagine why we will ever have to pay for a background check to any company to be hired since we have both a Criminal of Justice and a FBI background check.

I don't think any state except CA requires a FBI check for a notary?

Reply by MagicLadyCA on 2/11/08 11:46am
Msg #234925

Re: CA has changed the rules

I guess I am one of the thousands of notaries that are stuck here, having taken the test and submitted applications per 2007 rules and got stuck as the rules changed in 2008. The clerk at the Secretary of State office said it is a huge mess. So, heads up....

Reply by Carmi/CA on 2/11/08 12:24pm
Msg #234932

Hmmm, my commission expires March next year.

I guess I better start the process next month.