Posted by Robert Koehler on 4/6/09 5:45pm
Msg #283830

Questions for Florida notaries

1. Your thoughts on the requirement that we print our name beneath our signature? I hate doing it, but no matter how you interpret the statute it is required. I've asked for an Attorney General opinion on the matter and haven't heard back, but I imagine he'll right back re-affirming that it's required.

2. Which bonding company do you think is the best? The worst?

3. What is your favorite stamp design? Least favorite?

Thanks!

-Robert T. Koehler
-Notary Public, State of Florida

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 4/6/09 5:53pm
Msg #283831

1. Your thoughts on the requirement that we print our name beneath our signature? No big deal...if you don't like printing your name get a name stamp...it's a requirement of our certificates...period. Not sure why this is such an issue for you.

2. Which bonding company do you think is the best? The worst? - no opinion here - I'm bonded through Merchant's Bonding Co. (got it through NNA upon initial commission)..it works for me.

3. What is your favorite stamp design? Least favorite? I like the stamp I got here...the Vision 100 - works well for me.

Reply by Becca_FL on 4/6/09 5:57pm
Msg #283833

1. Buy a name stamp
2. Atlantic
3. I use Ultimarks and Stingrays.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 4/6/09 6:03pm
Msg #283835

As Linda and Becca have said - get a name stamp.
Check the prices on the different bonding companies. Did you have a problem with Florida Notary Discount Assn?? You don't need to worry about it until 2012.
Vision stamp from Notary Rotary is great.

Reply by Robert Koehler on 4/6/09 6:55pm
Msg #283843

The name printing thing isn't a "huge issue" for me... it just bothers me that forms BARELY have a space for it, and it looks tacky to hand-write it. I do have a name stamp but it just doesn't look right!

In regards to stamp design, I meant like actual design of the imprint not the brand. I am bonded through Florida Notary Discount Assoc. and I have had exceptional service with them, but the stamp they gave me looks incredibly tacky. I had my own stamp made... and then a few more... I now have four stamps. I guess I'm somewhat addicted to getting new stamps.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 4/6/09 6:58pm
Msg #283845

There is also barely enough room, sometimes, to add the form of ID presented, but we have to fit it in somewhere as it is required by Fl notary laws.

Check out the stamps on NotaryRotary, I like mine.

Reply by Robert Koehler on 4/6/09 7:03pm
Msg #283847

Now I must make it clear, that I have ALWAYS made my notarial certificates 100% compliant with statutes, and often times this has meant handwriting the missing details (most frequently missing details are the printed name, state and county, type of ID, and even the name of the affiant/acknowledger). Even forms developed by the State are often missing these items! I recently sent an e-mail to the Department of Health because almost all of their Vital Statistics forms were non-compliant, and they informed me they would adjust them. Of course, they still haven't.

Reply by Robert Koehler on 4/6/09 7:08pm
Msg #283849

Another little story I forgot to mention - I came across a notarized document one time and the person's official seal, which was just plain text, actually had the Notary "ID number" instead of the commission number. It also just said "Florida" instead of "State of Florida" as required. I looked up the notary on the state website - and the ID number was even one digit off on the stamp! So not only was she using the wrong item, but the number was wrong! I did file a complaint with the state, not to get her in trouble but because she needs to have it corrected.

My point was - unless someone files a complaint, or tries to get one of your documents apostilled, there will probably never be a question about your certificate being compliant. Which I think is why 80% of Florida notaries don't know what they're doing! But from what I've read on this forum, everyone here seems to be pretty well-versed in their state laws.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 4/6/09 7:24pm
Msg #283850

Curious how you got to be commissioned at age 17 since one of the qualifications is 18 years of age - that is if your information is correct in the state website..

Reply by Robert Koehler on 4/6/09 7:41pm
Msg #283852

They probably allowed it since I was less than one month away from being 18. I had checked up on it months in advance through the bonding agency and the state, and all parties agreed it would be OK.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 4/6/09 8:56pm
Msg #283865

80%???

"Which I think is why 80% of Florida notaries don't know what they're doing! "

Where do you get that number from??

I had one signing agent who did a signing for me use a seal that said:

Certified Signing Agent
State of Florida
My commission number (her commission number was added here)
Her Commission expiration date was here.

I called her and told her she had to use her notary seal, that a "Signing Agent" seal was unacceptable. She said she got it from the NNA who told her she could use it!

Reply by Maureen_nh on 4/6/09 9:29pm
Msg #283874

Re: 80%???

God bless the NNA--one of these days MAYBE they will find out that they have prostituted themselves for the all mighty dollar. But then they probably already know that and don't care. Not with my pennies though.

Reply by Teresa/FL on 4/6/09 10:35pm
Msg #283884

I wasn't aware the state of Florida commissioned

"Certified Signing Agents"

What NNA employee decided to reinterpret Florida law?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 4/7/09 7:00am
Msg #283900

Re: I wasn't aware the state of Florida commissioned

Beats me Teresa.
Luckily I have all signing agents doing signings for me fax back the notarized pages the first time they work for me, otherwise who knows how long she would have continued to use that stamp. I often wonder about the signings she did previously. Obviously no-one caught it.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 4/6/09 7:41pm
Msg #283851

On the affiant/acknowledgers's names being on the certificate, it is not absolutely necessary. If you don't put the names on the certificate it is presumed that the notarization is for all signatures. Fl statutes 117.05 (4)(e).
I usually do put the name/s on the certificate, but it isn't "law"

Incidentally Notary/Rotary also has a nifty stamp for form of ID. I have RA and that stamp makes it easier for me.