Posted by FlaNotary2 on 7/14/11 5:10pm
Msg #389730

Excuse my French... but WTF Alabama?

As much as the Alabama SOS is in bed with the NNA - WHY has Alabama removed the requirement that a notary keep a journal? What a step backwards...

Although they had their fee increased to $5 and bond amount increased to $25,000 (which dwarfs Florida's bond - and Florida is a more high risk state IMO).

Reply by Philip Johnson on 7/14/11 6:22pm
Msg #389741

So what?

May not be a requirement, but still a good business practice for those so inclined.

Here the state says 70mph on the interstate, mostly those on Vespa's adhere to that suggestion.

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 7/14/11 6:49pm
Msg #389742

Re: So what?

The issue here is that thousands upon thousands of notaries will stop keeping a journal altogether - for no other reason than sheer laziness... the same reason why notaries in Florida are hesitant to adopt a requirement for journals.

There is no reason NOT to keep a journal - except laziness.

Good job, Alabama.

Having Alabama's SOS worshiped at NNA conventions when Alabama has no handbook, minimal fees, minimal laws, and now - no required journals, is sickening. The SOS doesn't give a crap about notaries - she cares about her political position. And with the NNA on her side, potential voters will think she is doing just fine in the notary arena.

Reply by MaggieMae_CA on 7/14/11 7:29pm
Msg #389743

Many, many, many moons ago in New Jersey...

when I was a legal secretary I became a Notary Public to notarize loan docs and Wills/Trusts for the attorneys I worked for. I never even knew there was such a thing as a journal. It wasn't until I became a notary in California that I found out and started using a journal. If they stopped requiring journals tomorrow, I would still use a journal.

Four years ago when I learned my sister was a notary in New Jersey I purchased her first journal for her (she worked for a contractor and had never used one for the day to day notarizations she did at the company she worked for) and she has used one ever since. I think anyone who has used one would agree that it's the best thing since sliced bread.

Reply by Philip Johnson on 7/14/11 9:08pm
Msg #389749

Which state legislates against sloth?

If thousands upon thousands quit using journals again so what? I assume you have to be an adult in both Florida and Alabama to be a notary and with that comes free will to run one's profession/job as one seems fit.

If one has to have the state tell them the basics of their business, perhaps it's best for them to find another line of work.

Reply by rengel/CA on 7/15/11 10:25am
Msg #389775

And this effects YOU how??????? n/m

Reply by Jack/AL on 7/17/11 1:47pm
Msg #389939

The SOS does not regulate, supervise, or monitor Notaries Public in Alabama. It seems she only maintains the list of appointees submitted by the appointing agencies (normally the Probate Judge) from each county. The Attorney General has a little more significance as one who can give opinions about how tasks can/should be completed. There are also differing legal opinions from the AGs over the years concerning whether a Notary Public in Alabama must use a seal when performing notarial acts, AND whether the seal (if used) can be applied by embosser or ink stamp. Unfortunately, Alabama is one of those States in which there is very little regulation and guidance, much like the fields of real estate sales, home inspections, termite inspections, mortgage lending, and appraisals, of very few years ago. I can only supose that there must be horrendous problems that hurt many membes of the public before our fine law makers will ever get around to recognizing the absurdity of the current reality and taking correcting actions. But perhaps that's just my narrow-minded opinion.........