I downloaded the VT roster of active notaries on January 29, 2023, and found there were 11,337 licensees. I downloaded again today, February 2, 2023, and found there were 7,788. All notary licenses in VT expire January 31 in every odd-numbered year. So 31% of the licensees didn't renew.
Why might this be?
-This is the first year continuing education was required to renew. It costs $25 if you get it from the Vermont Bar Association.
-A new law was passed making all police officers and law enforcement employees commissioned as a matter of law, but not licensed. They may perform notarizations in connection with their official duties without taking any classes and without applying for a commission or license. ("Regular" notaries are both commissioned and licensed; when they apply, they get both, and when they let it expire, both expire.)
-The downturn in real-estate related assignments might have something to do with it.
By the way, there is a monetary penalty for renewing late, which could easily be more expensive than the license ($30) and the class ($25) combined. So if someone was going to renew at all, I would think they would do it on time. |
