Colorado Remote Online Notarization

Update 4/1/2020: The Colorado SOS office confirmed that there has been no change to the amount Colorado notaries can charge for a remote online notarization.  This makes RON cost-prohibitive in most instances.  We will update as we get more information. Colorado has adopted a temporary rule to allow Remote Online Notarization (RON) as a response to Corona Virus (COVID-19) and quarantine and social distancing recommendations at the state and federal level.  Below is the new rule put out by the Colorado Secretary of State Notary Division: As temporarily adopted and effective 3/30/2020 Rule 5. Remote Notarization 5.1 Definitions As used in these Rules, unless stated otherwise: 5.1.1 “Audio-video communication” means communication by which an individual is able to see, hear, and communicate with a remotely located...

March 30, 2020By Colorado, eNotary, New Laws, News, Notarial Law, Notarization, , , , , 3 CommentsRead more...
Why Every Notary Needs Training

Why EVERY Notary Needs Training

This week’s tips are for notaries who may be at risk of  losing relationships with hiring parties because of errors in their notarial acts, losing their commissions--or worse--may inadvertently perform a criminal act. Because life gets busy and is full of more pressing and interesting matters, notary laws are not top priority to many notaries--I understand that!  Unfortunately, the result is that too many notaries haven't developed proper skills.  They don't know what they can do and what they can't.There are pitfalls to avoid, but untrained notaries don't see them.  They are  performing notarial acts as if blindfolded, unaware of the risks and pitfalls that await them and the public for whom they notarize. 

Pressures to Perform Unlawful Acts

Just this week, I...

June 20, 2019By E & O, Loan Signing Agent, Notarial Law, Notary Public, Training2 CommentsRead more...
Remote Online Notarization

Should You Become a Remote Online Notary?

Today's article should not be considered an endorsement of remote online notarization (RON) or an opposing viewpoint.  It is a simple summary of what I have observed since gaining my “boots on the ground” perspective.  I will describe how I got set up and some of the issues that must be overcome. Although, I am in Texas, other states’ notaries will undoubtedly have the same challenges that I had here.  In fact, some states are using Texas online notary laws as a model and tweaking them to fit their needs.  Others states have patterned theirs after the Revised Uniform Law on Notary Acts.

Nuts and Bolts of Typical RON Legislation

Below are the high points of remote notarization laws in layman...

April 18, 2019By eNotary, Featured, New Laws, News, Notarial Law, Notarization, Notary Business, , , 10 CommentsRead more...
Notary Records Journal

New Colorado Notary Journal Requirements

With the passage of the 2018 Colorado RULONA (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts), there were slight changes to the standards of care for the Colorado Notary Records Journal.  You can read the actual Colorado Revised Statute below this article. All RULONA updates will be reflected in our updated Colorado Notary State-Approved Online Course on or before July 1, 2018. You can also order your Colorado RULONA compliant notary journal here: Notary Journal C.R.S. 24-21-519. Journal (1) A notary public shall maintain a journal in which the notary public chronicles all notarial acts that the notary public performs. The notary public shall retain the journal for ten years after the performance of the last notarial act chronicled in the journal. (2) A journal...

June 3, 2018By Colorado, New Laws, Notarial Law, Notary Journal, , , , 0 CommentsRead more...
US Notary Bonds

Notary Bond vs Notary E&O Insurance

Notary Bonds and Errors and Omissions Insurance

What is the difference between a notary bond and errors and omissions (E&O) insurance?

A notary bond is a financial security document underwritten by a surety licensed in the state that requires it. Translated, the bond is there to protect the public in the event of financial damages caused due to improper notarization. A notary bond is not insurance for the notary. If you are forced to pay damages due to a notarization that you performed, the bonding company will pay up to the bond value amount, but the next thing the bonding company will do is come after you for the money. They are very efficient at collecting, which is why the...

February 15, 2017By Bond, E & O, Insurance, Notarial Law, Notary Business, Notary Public, , , 0 CommentsRead more...
notarize for family

Can I Notarize A Document For My Family

Can I Notarize A Document For My...

 

Who can I notarize a document for? My Spouse? My Child? My Great Aunt's 2nd Cousin Twice Removed?

  As a notary you will find yourself being asked to help friends and family with their notarial needs. But how do you know who you can notarize a document for and who you cannot?   The question to be asking is not "Can I notarize a document for my family members?" but instead "In what circumstances should I NOT notarize a document?" In general, it is not illegal to notarize something for a family member, including your spouse or children. However, many states have statutes that make it illegal to notarize documents in which you will benefit.   More...

January 3, 2017By Notarial Law, Notary Public, , , 4 CommentsRead more...

New Laws for California Notaries 2017

New California Notary Laws

Effective January 1, 2017, notaries in California will have a few new notary laws to consider while performing their day-to-day notary duties.  The following are the new laws that have been updated: Acceptable forms of ID Maximum Fees Allowed Acceptable Delivery Methods & Notary ID  

Acceptable Forms of ID

Assembly Bill 2566, in conjunction with Senate Bill 997 amends Civil Code Section 1185, making the following changes: Foreign passports are no longer required to have a current visa stamp from USCIS or DHS. A valid consular identification card issued by a consulate from the applicant's country of citizenship now acceptable. An ID card issued by a federally recognized tribal government is now acceptable. (more…)

December 15, 2016By California, New Laws, News, Notarial Law, Training, 4 CommentsRead more...