by Whenever someone looks for notary services or searches “public notary near me,” you would have come across the term notary public. They are individuals authorized by the government to officially do the work of document verification and signature. They act as an impartial witness but are officially appointed, which prevents any kind of fraud or theft related to identity during document notarization. It has been observed that there is a large number of people finding notary public in Alabama for their business or personal document notarization.
Henceforth, this is the right time to think about becoming a notary in Alabama. There are some specific requirements which an applicant must know and meet. These are a must and also make your process of becoming a notary in Alabama quick and error-free.
Basic Eligibility Criteria
Here is a brief definition of requirements which, without a miss, an applicant should fulfill to be a notary in Alabama. Make a note or bookmark the blog for future reference.
- Age: An applicant should be above 19 years of age.
- Residency: They should be a permanent resident of Alabama.
- Qualification: They have to undergo online training and an exam. There is an online website where both the examination and training can be accessed.
- Legal: There shouldn’t be any criminal offense or conviction of any civil right.
- Bond: A bond of $50,000 is required.
Additionally, an application has to be submitted to the local probate officer. Further, the applicant must clear the background check and complete the fingerprint process to provide notary service in the future.
Appointment Process to Becoming a Notary in Alabama
As mentioned earlier, it is necessary to apply. Henceforth, reach out to the probate judge to finalize your application. Please verify whether it is necessary to submit the form in person or not to avoid any confusion and delays. There are necessary fees to submit to get the application approved. Once the procedure is completed, the applicant would receive the certificate, which makes them a notary public. They can perform the verification and signature for document notarization. Furthermore, note that the complete certification course has to be completed within 30 days of application submission.
Bond Requirement
To become a notary, the bond plays a crucial role. These bonds that applicants provide are a kind of assurance that they will fulfill all responsibilities lawfully. The reason behind this requirement is indirectly to assure people that their documents are rightfully notarized. Henceforth, the notary must provide a $50,000 surety bond, which an insurance company issues. In simple terms, in case the notary makes a mistake, the financial damage for a client will be fulfilled by the bonding company up to the coverage limit.
Another important piece of information regarding the bond is its tenure. It is as long as the commission term. Usually, it lasts from four years to ten years, though.
Commission and Term
For every state, it is different; thus, you can check the official sites for your state. But for Alabama, the term for the appointment of a notary commission is 4 years. After that, there is a reappointment; however, a notary can reapply before the end of the term to continue their service.
And while renewing the term, also check the notary supplies, including the stamp. For the notary seal or stamp, it should have the name and expiration date.
Tools and Supplies
For a notary, it is important to give an impression of professional appearance to a sealed and signed document. Thus, invest in the right supplies with accurate marking and stamp size. There are different types of stamps that can be used to put up a clear impression. For online notary service, this can be of little use as it requires a digital signature and seal.
According to the Alabama Notary Public Act, it is necessary to buy a notary public stamp and seal. And on it, “Notary Public, State of Alabama” with the notary public name should be mentioned.
Duties and Legal Responsibilities
For an Alabama notary, there are several duties that they must fulfill responsibly and lawfully. After getting the successful training completion certificate, below are the sets of responsibilities a notary has to do.
First, it is to witness the signature during identity verification and document signing. Next, all the copies of the document they have to check to make sure they are accurate relative to the originals. Further, they have to check and be assured that the person witnessing and signing the document is willingly performing the task. And in case of suspicion, they can refuse to notarize the document. A notary public performing their duty rightfully will undoubtedly avoid fraud.
Alabama notaries have to comply with the law and also maintain the journal for their acts. Them abiding by all duties makes them reliable officials and also maintains the standard of professionalism.
Conclusion
In Alabama, notaries can perform online notarization using two-way technology, which is audio and video communication. In addition to it, notaries should be present in the Alabama state. Henceforth, it is advised to be careful while performing online notary. Also, check the official site to gather more information related to notaries and online notarization solutions.
For a smooth and secure Remote Online Notarization (RON) experience, consider eNotary On Call. Our dedicated team will help you onboard and provide professional online notary services using a secure and compliant RON platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the age and residency requirements to become a notary in Alabama?
To become a notary in Alabama, you must be at least 18 years old and either live in Alabama or be employed in the state at the time of application. This ensures you have a legal presence within the state’s jurisdiction.
2. Do I need to pass an exam to become a notary in Alabama?
Alabama does not require you to pass a state notary exam. However, you must complete any state-mandated education or training if the current Secretary of State rules require it before commissioning
3. What documentation is required to apply for a notary commission in Alabama?
You must complete the official Alabama notary application, provide proof of identity, and may need to take any required training. The application goes to the Alabama Secretary of State for review and approval.
4. Does Alabama require a surety bond for notaries?
Alabama notaries must obtain a $1,000 surety bond as part of the commissioning process. The bond protects the public in case the notary commits errors or wrongful acts in the course of notarizations.
5. How long does an Alabama notary commission last?
An Alabama notary commission is valid for four years from the date of issuance. After that period, you must renew your commission if you want to continue serving as a notary public.
6. Can an Alabama notary perform remote online notarizations?
Currently, Alabama does not authorize remote online notarization; only in-person notarizations are allowed. Individuals offering online services must follow in-person procedures unless state law changes to permit RON.
