SOURCE: National Notary Association

January 11, 2008 12:31 ET

One of California's Most Dramatic Notary Law Revisions in Decades Took Effect This Month

National Notary Association Announces Seminar Series to Help Notaries and Their Employers Navigate Through Extensive Changes

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - January 11, 2008) - One of California's most dramatic Notary law revisions in decades took effect January 1, 2008. In-house Notaries must take care to be in compliance to ensure the smooth flow of business and prevent important company documents from being rejected. Notaries also may face stiff fines if the provisions aren't followed. To help both Notaries and their employers understand these major changes, the National Notary Association (NNA) is offering a series of educational seminars to explain the practical impact of the law and enable the state's 290,000 Notaries to comply.

Assembly Bill 886, signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 10, 2007, institutes some of the most radical, overnight changes ever seen for the state's Notaries. It significantly affects how California Notaries apply for their commissions, identify document signers, keep journal entries and complete Notary certificates. AB 886 also initiates tougher penalties for misconduct, including fines of up to $10,000 for not following the law. "This law represents an historic shift in the way Notaries perform their identity proofing role in the modern era," said NNA Executive Director Tim Reiniger.

Among the new provisions:

--  The elimination of "personal knowledge" as an acceptable method of
    identifying document signers.
--  New application requirements for first time and renewing Notaries.
--  A new obligation that Notaries immediately surrender their journal to
    a peace officer under certain circumstances.
--  Authorization for the Secretary of State to deny, revoke or suspend a
    Notary's commission for a variety of new offenses.
    

Information about the California New Law Seminar Series and compliant Notary supplies can be found at http://www.nationalnotary.org/CA/NewLaw. If your business is not already protected by the NNA's no-cost Corporate Notary Assistance Program, call (877) 876-0827. For more information, contact the NNA at (800) 876-6827, or at www.NationalNotary.org.

The NNA: Setting the Standard for America's Professional Notary

Founded in 1957, the National Notary Association (NNA) is committed to the professional development of Notaries throughout the United States by providing education, support and advocacy. The NNA also educates lawmakers, businesses and state officials on best notarial practices, and leads efforts to make necessary changes in the state and federal statutory framework. With 300,000 members, the Association offers nationally accredited Notary education programs.