If a Pearson VUE notary exam is in your near future, PAN has a variety of tools to help you study. [Read more…] about Exam Preparation Tools Available
RULONA
RULONA Questions – Part 3
Q: When a customer is using a power of attorney to sign a document for someone else, which name and address do I enter in the notary journal?
A: RULONA Section 319 (c) (3) requires the notary to record “The full name and address of each individual for whom the notarial act is performed.” In this example, the notarial act is being performed for the agent, who is the person appearing before the notary to be identified. The agent’s name and address (city and state only, per Department of State proposed regulations) goes into the column for that information. A notation such as, “Agent for Mr. John Doe POA,” can be made in the Remarks column.
Q: If I am asked to notarize an acknowledgment by attorney-at-law, does the attorney need to provide satisfactory evidence of the signer’s identity?
A: The notarial certificate (or notary wording) for an acknowledgment by attorney-at-law requires the attorney to state that he/she was personally present when the signer(s) signed the record and that the signer(s) signed the record for the purposes contained in the record. There is no requirement for the attorney to provide satisfactory evidence of the identity of the signer(s).
The Education Requirement in the New Notary Public Law (RULONA)
PAN phone lines have been ringing off the hook in the past several weeks since our members learned about the new notary public law (RULONA) and the education requirement. Let’s clear up the confusion. [Read more…] about The Education Requirement in the New Notary Public Law (RULONA)
Secretary of State Announces Significant Changes Ahead for PA Notaries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 5, 2017
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of State Pedro A. Cortés today reminded Pennsylvania notaries public that significant changes to the notary law will go into effect in October 2017, including an education requirement for all notaries and updated guidelines for the notary stamp.
“The changes will affect not only individuals seeking a new commission as a notary public, but also notaries who are currently commissioned,” Secretary Cortés said. “I encourage all notaries to familiarize themselves with the changes, particularly the education and examination requirements.”
The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), enacted in 2013, requires that all notaries complete a 3-hour notary education course (PDF) in order to be appointed or reappointed. The course must be completed in the six months immediately preceding the application for appointment or reappointment. The education requirement affects all notaries, including those previously “grandfathered” by court ruling.
Because RULONA changes take effect October 26, 2017, the six-month window is now in effect for anyone who will be applying or reapplying on or after that date. A certificate of course completion must be included with all applications for appointment or reappointment submitted on or after October 26.
In addition, new notaries will be required to take and pass an examination before receiving their commission. Current notaries will not be subject to the examination requirement as long as their commission has not expired or lapsed. If a current notary’s commission expires for even one day, that notary will be required to take and pass the examination.
The examination will be a computer-based test offered at Pearson VUE test centers in nearly all Pennsylvania counties. The cost is $65 per test. Notary applicants will have six months from the time they are authorized to sit for the exam to successfully pass the test. They may take the test as many times as needed.
RULONA changes also include revisions to the list of authorized notarial powers, a redesigned notary stamp, updated requirements for the notary journal or register, and the option to keep the journal in an electronic format. Currently commissioned notaries may continue to use their current notary stamps and registers until their existing commission expires.
A comprehensive list of changes (PDF) that will go into effect October 26 has been posted on the Department of State website. Or call 717-787-5280, option 2, for more information. The website also has a list of RULONA-compliant education providers (PDF).
The notary division of the department’s Bureau of Commissions, Elections, and Legislation commissions more than 80,000 notaries in Pennsylvania.
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PAN Members: To learn more about the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), check out our RULONA Overview Course listed under the Member Portal. It is free.
To access the Member Portal:
- Go to PAN’s Web site, www.notary.org
- Click on the Member Portal tab and “Sign In”
- Enter your Customer Number
- Enter your Password (case sensitive)
- Click the “Sign In” button
What You Need to Know About the New PA Notary Law
PAN is offering a free white paper on the fundamental changes in the Notary Public Law that Pennsylvania notaries will need to know and follow by October 26, 2017. http://notaryne.ws/RULONA
Official RULONA Notice
[Saturday, April 29, 2017]
RULONA was enacted on October 9, 2013, with provisions relating to the Department’s authority to approve education courses, make regulations and set fees immediately effective. Under section 5 of RULONA, the remainder of RULONA shall take effect October 26, 2017, 180 days after publication of this notice.
The intervening 180 days will allow all new and renewing notaries public to become competent in the requirements of RULONA. The Department recommends, but does not require, that all notaries applying for appointment or reappointment in the next 6 months complete a RULONA-compliant education course.
On October 26, 2017, all remaining provisions of RULONA will become effective. These include major changes to the application process, such as a requirement that all applicants who do not hold an active notary commission, at the time their application is received by the Department, must pass an examination, and all notaries, new and renewing, must complete a 3-hour RULONA-compliant education course. These changes will apply to all applications received on or after October 26, 2017.
For further information on RULONA, including a summary of the changes instituted by RULONA, see www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Notaries (select ”What to Know About RULONA”).
The appointment, commissioning and discipline of notaries public is performed by the Department’s Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation, Division of Commissions, Legislation and Notaries (Division). Visit the Division’s web site at www.notaries.pa.gov for more information on notaries public. Further inquiries may be directed to the Division at 401 North Street, Room 210, Harrisburg, PA 17120, (717) 787-5280, [email protected]
PEDRO A. CORTÉS,
Secretary
If any PAN members have questions about RULONA, please call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-944-8790, Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or E-mail us at [email protected].