Notary Notes Blog

The latest notary news for Pennsylvania notaries

News

Renew CDL Products by March 31

by

Expiration dates for commercial driver licenses and commercial learner’s permits will end after the current extension expires for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

The final extension is currently in place for the following products’ expiration dates:

  • The expiration date for a commercial learner’s permit scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020, through March 31, 2021, is extended through March 31, 2021.
  • The expiration date for commercial driver licenses scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020, through March 31, 2021, is extended through March 31, 2021.

Customers with commercial products that are covered by the extension but have not yet been renewed are encouraged to renew their CDL products as soon as possible by March 31, 2021.

No further extensions will be given on these products.

Access PennDOT’s updates on their Driver and Vehicle Services Update page.

The Dos and Don’ts of Petitions

by

As election season approaches, you may be asked to notarize petitions. It is easy to make a mistake when notarizing a petition. We want to help you perform your notary duties with confidence.

Don’t notarize a petition you have signed as an elector or if you are the candidate filing it.

Do read the instructions on the petition and related materials. The Department of State provides information and links to forms and instructions on their website, including deadlines for filing. Be sure to read and follow the instructions so you can avoid problems at the last minute when the petitions must be filed. The circulator(s) and the candidate have responsibilities in this process that must be fulfilled.

Don’t notarize a petition for a family member. If notarization is required, have an impartial third-party act as the notary. If you are related to the candidate you should decline to notarize their petitions, because your relation to the candidate raises the possibility of a direct or pecuniary interest.

Do draw lines through any unused signature lines that are left on the petition. This prevents signatures from being added to the petition after the notarization.

Don’t notarize for an individual you have not properly identified. Make sure the proper notarial wording is on the petition. You must follow the law for every notarization you perform

Do refer questions to your county election officials or to the Department of State. As a notary, you cannot give legal advice.

 

Personal Delivery Devices

by

Act 106, signed into law on November 1, 2020, has amended the definition of “Pedestrian” in Title 75, The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. The act takes effect January 30, 2021.

Under Section 1, §102, the definition of a “pedestrian” is as follows:

  1. an individual afoot.
  2. an individual with a mobility-related disability on a self-propelled wheelchair or an electrical mobility device operated by and designated for the exclusive use of an individual with a mobility-related disability.
  3. a personal delivery device.

Act 106 also allows for a “personal delivery device” (PDD) to operate on roadways, shoulder/berms of roadways, and in pedestrian areas. The definition of a personal delivery device is a ground delivery device that:

  1. is manufactured for transporting cargo or goods;
  2. is operated by a driving system that allows remote or autonomous operation, or both; and
  3. weighs 550 pounds or less without cargo or goods.

Since Act 106 places PDDs within the definition of a pedestrian, PDDs are not considered a vehicle and not required to be titled and/or registered as a vehicle under the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.

Pennsylvanians Experiencing Homelessness Eligible for Free ID Renewal

by

Act 131 of 2020, which Governor Tom Wolf recently signed into law, makes it possible for Pennsylvanians experiencing homelessness to be issued a free initial photo ID or renewal. Individuals will be required to apply in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center and must meet identification and other requirements. Additional information can be found on the Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov. This section of the law is effective January 25, 2021.

The pertinent section of the Act reads:

Title 75 § 1901.  Exemption of persons, entities and vehicles from fees.

* * *

(b.1)  Identification card fees.–No fee shall be charged for an initial or renewal identification card, including for a photograph required for an initial or renewal identification card, to an individual who affirms in writing that the individual is:

  1. homeless, as defined on the effective date of this subsection in section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Public Law 100-77, 42 U.S.C. § 11302);
  2. a resident of this Commonwealth; and
  3. aware of the prohibitions on unsworn falsification to authorities set forth in 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification to authorities).

Dealers’ Documentary Fee Increases for 2021

by

The maximum documentary fee licensed dealers can charge increased from $324 to $328 for processing title work manually. The fee increased from $389 to $394 for processing title work electronically with an online provider.

The increase is effective immediately.

The documentary fee is adjusted annually according to the Consumer Price Index.

York County Reopening Plan

by

On Monday, January 11, 2021, York County government reopened most buildings to the public following a suspension of public access dating back to December 21, 2020.

The York County Treasurer’s Office will remain closed to the public through January 29, 2021. Business with the Treasurer’s Office can be conducted by phone, mail, or email. The Treasurer’s webpage contains contact information.

Drop boxes for document delivery to the Administrative Center offices will continue to be available in the lobby of the Administrative Center during normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The York County Human Services Center will remain closed to the public until at least February 1, 2021, with the opening date re-evaluated at that time. Offices within this building can still be reached and services are still being provided. Human Services can be reached by phone and email. The Human Services Center webpage contains contact information.

The commissioners remind the public that they are required to wear a mask while inside county facilities.

The press release where this information was accessed can be found here.