Disciplinary actions announced by the Department of State included suspensions of notary commissions, probation, and civil penalties.
- A notary in Fayette County was suspended of her notary commission for one month, immediately stayed in favor of probation, because she failed to keep and maintain custody and control of an accurate chronological register of all official acts. She was assessed a $50 assessment for the costs of continued monitoring and ordered to attend a notary public practice and procedure review course.
- A Montgomery County notary was suspended of her notary commission for six months, and was assessed a $100 civil penalty, plus $300 for the costs of continued monitoring, because she assisted an individual in processing numerous PennDOT documents, particularly vehicle transfers, and allowed this individual to use her address as the registered address of the vehicles.
- Four notaries were penalized for failing to require personal appearance:
A notary in Northampton County was assessed a $500 civil penalty and a $300 assessment for the costs of continued monitoring and her commission was suspended for six months, immediately stayed in favor of probation. The notary also was ordered to attend a notary practice and procedure course.
A Philadelphia County notary was ordered to pay a $250 civil penalty plus a $150 assessment and his notary commission was suspended for 15 months, 12 months active suspension, the remaining period immediately stayed in favor of probation.
Another Philadelphia County notary was suspended of her notary commission for a period of 15 months, with 12 months active suspension and the remainder stayed in favor of probation, and she was ordered to pay an assessment of $150.00 for the costs of continued monitoring.
A notary in Dauphin County was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $200 plus an assessment of $150 and her notary commission was suspended for a period of 15 months, 12 months active suspension and the remainder stayed in favor of probation.
The Department of State has penalized notaries for:
- Placing a rubber stamp seal that was not capable of photographic reproduction
- Improperly notarizing a title and putting an inconsistent lower mileage on the form
- Notarizing documents when the individuals did not appear in person and did not sign any document
- Notarizing documents without a signature or a date
- Neglecting to add a notarization to the notary register
- Failing to keep a register which complies with the Notary Public Law
- Charging fees far in excess of those prescribed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth
PAN is committed to providing its members with education to perform their duties correctly, responsibly and with pride. Our seminars for new notaries teach you how to properly complete affidavits, acknowledgments, and more. Advanced training covers topics such as problem forms, wills, powers of attorney and deeds and mortgages. Motor vehicle seminars deal with titling, registration and driver licensing forms. PAN is a PennDOT-authorized motor vehicle education provider.
Many of our seminars are also available as home study courses. Check out PAN’s educational products on our Web site. Go to www.notary.org and click on the Education tab to learn more.
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