Notary Notes Blog

The latest notary news for Pennsylvania notaries

Announcement

Volunteer Your Notary Services Through PAN’s Volunteer Connection

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If you’ve thought about using your notary skills to help others, we’ve got just the program for you. 

PAN’s Volunteer Connection (PVC) is a pipeline to community organizations in search of volunteers to assist individuals requiring notary services. 

Since 2017, PVC has had 356 notaries throughout Pennsylvania join the program. These notaries are willing to volunteer their time and notary skills for helping senior citizens, military veterans, hospitalized patients, residents of women’s and men’s shelters, and during special events such as Wills for Heroes. Notaries involved in any volunteer effort do not charge notary or clerical fees. 

PAN Customer Service Representative Megan Kurpakus is the PVC coordinator. She serves as liaison between the volunteer notaries who have joined the program and organizations and non-profits. 

If you are interested in joining PAN’s Volunteer Connection, please contact Megan, Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-944-8790, ext. 107 or email her at [email protected] 

PA Drivers’ Licenses to Allow Third Gender Designation

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Pennsylvania drivers will have the option to show a third designation – a gender-neutral “X” – instead of either “M” (male) or “F” (female) on their licenses.

For individuals who identify as gender non-binary or transgender, the designation offers an option that is not exclusively male or female.

The current paper form, DL-32 – Request for Gender Change on Driver’s License/Identification Card (7-19), shows only two check boxes, Male and Female, and must be signed by a licensed medical or social service provider: physician, CRNP, therapist/counselor, or social worker.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is in the process of updating its computer systems, forms, and employee training to allow customers to choose the “X” designation.

For individuals requesting REAL IDs, Pennsylvania licenses will continue to comply with federal REAL ID requirements, regardless of gender designation.

Phone Scam Targets Notaries

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Someone is contacting notaries about their notary bonds and demanding personal information or a payment.

Jim Holter, vice president of commercial surety for Merchants Bonding Company reported that a notary in Florida was recently contacted by an individual posing as a representative of Merchants. The caller told the notary that the rate on their notary bond had changed and demanded a payment over the phone. The notary contacted Merchants and learned there was no such rate change.

Holter said the company normally does not contact notaries about their bonds by telephone.

“If you get a call from someone claiming to be from Merchants, it’s highly likely an improper call,” he said. “Never give them any personal information or credit card information over the phone.”

If any PAN members receive such a phone call, please call our customer service department at 1-800-944-8790 immediately.

Afternoon Allentown Notary Reappointment Seminar

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PAN has opened an afternoon Notary Reappointment Seminar on Wednesday January 29, 2020 for Allentown notaries. The seminar will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1787-B Airport Road, Allentown PA 18109, with sign-in beginning at 1:30 p.m. The cost is $69. To pre-register, please call PAN at 1-800-944-8790 Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or visit our website at www.notary.org/Education.

Afternoon Mechanicsburg Notary Reappointment Seminar

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PAN has opened an afternoon Notary Reappointment Seminar on Wednesday January 8, 2020 for Mechanicsburg notaries. The seminar will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Rossmoyne Suites, 4940 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, with sign-in beginning at 1:30 p.m. The cost is $69. To pre-register, please call PAN at 1-800-944-8790 Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or visit our website at www.notary.org/Education.