FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: August 6, 2007
CONTACT: Bob Walsh (702) 486-2436

New, mandatory training required for Nevada Notaries - Effective October 1, 2007

Legislation was passed in response to an increase in non-compliant
notaries public in Nevada

Carson City, NV – Effective October 1, 2007 all Nevada notaries public will be required to complete a four hour notary public class conducted by the Secretary of State’s office.  The new requirement is the result of the passage of AB 533 by the 2007 session of the Nevada State Legislature.

“This new requirement came about because we were seeing a dramatic increase in the number of notaries who are not in compliance with Nevada law,” said Secretary of State Ross Miller.  “Citizens and businesses that pay for notary services need to know that the services they are getting from a notary are legitimate.  If documents like a mortgage are improperly notarized, it could prevent the ultimate funding of the loan and hold up the purchase.  We want to provide the training necessary to protect Nevada consumers.”

The following persons will be required to complete a four-hour notary public education class conducted by the Secretary of State’s office:

• Anyone applying to be a notary public for the first time;
• Anyone renewing their appointment as a notary public, if their appointment as a notary public has expired for a period greater than one year; or
• Anyone renewing an appointment as a notary public, who, if during the preceding four years has been fined for failing tocomply with a statute or regulation of the State of Nevada.
• Anyone who has completed an approved notary education class between July 1, 2007 and October 1, 2007 will be deemed as having met the new education requirement.

The required classes will be conducted by the Secretary of State’s office.  A schedule of the classes and locations is available at the Secretary of State’s website at www.nvsos.gov.

There are 36,000 current notaries in the State of Nevada as of September 2007.  Their responsibilities include taking acknowledgments, administering an oath or affirmation, executing a jurat, and certifying to copies of selected documents. It is the duty of the Secretary of State to regulate the duties of notaries as authorized by NRS Chapter 240.