Posted by VT_Syrup on 8/26/13 7:14pm
Msg #482016

Silly commission numbers

I don't want to hijack Marianne's thread below, but sometimes not having a commission number can be silly.

Vermont notaries don't have commission numbers, don't have to print their name (just signing is fine), don't have to use a seal, and don't have to write their commission expiration date. (Even if they did, it wouldn't help distinguish one notary from another with the same name, because all Vermont commissions expire on the same date, February 10, 2015.) Just imagine having an illegible scrawl for the notary's signature, and nothing else to help figure out who he/she is.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 8/26/13 7:31pm
Msg #482021

A few years ago, someone needed an apostille on one of my notarizations and amazingly, the VA Sec of State could not find me in their database, At that time, I was assigned a commission number but VA notaries were not required include it on the notarial cert (we are now). Sec of State called me and I gave them my comm number and lo and behold they found me in their database and could issue the apostille. State government at its finest!

Reply by sigtogo/OR on 8/26/13 7:40pm
Msg #482022

just curious: what do you do with all those places on docs

asking for seals, expiration dates, commission number? leave em blank? notate something? put n/a? inquiring minds
I think it was discussed recently about the notarial ID cert that asks us to put a stamp when we aren't notarizing. Title has asked me to insert verbiage as to why I can't stamp. I had always just ignored it with no problem until now.

Reply by VT_Syrup on 8/26/13 7:51pm
Msg #482023

Re: just curious: what do you do with all those places on docs

If the preprinted certificate asks for an expiration date, I fill it in. I don't recall ever seeing a certificate that asked for a commission number. If a signing service or title company wants one on a sign-up form, I just put n/a.

As for a seal, I don't have to use one, but the SOS recommends one for documents leaving the state. There is no law just for notary seals, but there is one for state officers in general:

"When a seal of a court, public officer, or corporation is required to be affixed to a paper, "seal" shall include an impression of the official seal made upon paper alone or by means of a wafer or wax affixed thereto." (1 VSA 133)

I asked at an SOS seminar if a rubber stamp counted as an "impression" and the lawyer who was speaking thought it didn't matter, since seals aren't required anyway. He also mentioned that a wafer is one of those gold stickers you can buy at stationery stores. I generally use a rubber stamp, because trying to ink an embossed seal is too chancy; half the time it comes out a mess.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 8/27/13 9:51am
Msg #482079

We can't use our stamp for anything other than a Notarial

act. So, on that form, I just wrote "Cannot stamp, per OR law" and initialed. Granted, not recently, but the law hasn't changed. You could cite the ORS if Title insists. Hope that helps.

Reply by MW/VA on 8/26/13 8:28pm
Msg #482027

That is amazing. I can hardly believe there isn't much

required. How many notaries are there in the state? Do you have any way of knowing?
I bet the NNA would have a field day with this.

Reply by VT_Syrup on 8/26/13 9:24pm
Msg #482035

Re: That is amazing. I can hardly believe there isn't much

Looking at the online database, there seems to be 325 pages with 50 per page, or a little over 16,000 notaries.

Reply by Marianne Clancy on 8/26/13 8:31pm
Msg #482030

Lol. I only meant that getting a new commission number every 4 years was a bit silly!!

Reply by rolomia on 8/27/13 3:25am
Msg #482056

VT_Syrup: What do you mean sometimes? LOL

Sadly, SOS's aren't held accountable for the fraud that occurs b/c of said SOS' failure to regulate against such fraud, such as by requiring every notary public to obtain a commission number and a stamp. More accountability IS the answer. But, if an SOS ever sought public office, accountability might prevent said SOS' from winning the support of their industry friends who enjoy said lack of accountability/regulation. JMHO

Reply by Serina/VT on 8/27/13 8:52am
Msg #482071

I had a signing service INSIST I had one! They don't realize how easy it is to become a Notary in VT it's scary. All you need is $20 and no criminal record. Every person in a Town Clerks office is usually a notary, Banks have tons too! I have been using the embosser for the past 25 yrs but I think I will be getting an ink stamp soon. I always print my name and the Comm Exp date on anything I notarize, just to save any hassle with the SS or TC.

Reply by VT_Syrup on 8/27/13 1:15pm
Msg #482156

The confusion I often get when signing up with a client is that our application and commission are on the same page. The notary-to-be fills out the upper half, and the assistant judges sign the lower half. Once the assistant judges sign it, the application becomes a commission. But the clients tend to think it's just an application.