Notarize something??

[Edwina's Secretary]

I am just curious...in Mass...apparently they cannot charge $ to notarize and in California a notary can charge $4. Just makes me wonder how different the different states are about these things!

I know one state honors a notarized signature from another state...having been through that when we bought and sold while living in different states!

[Sirrahsim]

I have no idea about all that. I know that it is ridiculously easy to become a notary in some states though. Fill out a form, take an oath, buy your pretty embossing seal, charge $4 a signature
I wonder, when my kids go to school should I become a notary so that I can notarize permission slip forms and things like that? I'd just have to tell the teachers that if that report card/detention notice/whatever doesn't have an embossed seal on it then it never made it to my hands no matter what my boys may claim

Of course I'd never really do such a thing, but I know that forging Mom or Dad's signature was quite common when I was in school!!

[zippy-kat]

You might also check a bonding/insurance agency as notaries in some states must be bonded.

I know you were just joking but you can't notarize items for family but it would definitely be helpful for the other kids!

Sara, NM says you can't charge more than either $7 or $12 (I can't remember the exact amount at the moment and my "laws" are at work - will update my post when I can).

[RedHedd]

In CA we are required to take a 6 hr. class and then we have to pass a test. It's super easy. What's amazing is that some applicants don't realize they check your background (you have to be bonded in CA) so any criminal record is a no-no, and they fingerprint you.

It's not cheap (about $500 for the whole shebang) - my firm paid for my application process last year, and it's good for four years. We don't charge our clients for our notary services - all the extras our clients get are built into the outrageous rates we charge

[Cinder & Smoke]

I've already made phone calls and verified that my POA will be fine in Ohio.

Finding a notary to make the title transfer official is their "problem" ...

I drove a rented "company car" for about 15 years ... Pennsylvania Employer,
New Jersey Rental Company, Ohio Driver and Ohio Registration (Plates).
Buying Ohio License plates for the Company Limo was always a Phunn experience!

Year #1; Mistake #1: Rent-a-Wreck sent a PRE-notarized Power of Attorney form -
with MY Signature line *blank* ... And dumm me didn't *sign* in the privacy of my office ...
Noooo, i walked into the "Deputy Registrar's (read contractor for the State) Office" and
lay all my "stuff" out. I thought she was gonna call the Cops!
HEY!! - How's Come this POA isn't *SIGNED* yet!???
"YOU CAN'T **DO** that ... SHE should loose her Notary License!"

Oooopsie ... I'll come back tomorrow when you're less stressed!

Lucky for me, there are LOTS of Deputy Registrars in every Ohio County ...
I dropped in on another Deputy, after SIGNING my POA in the parking lot.

Of course every other year or so the usually always UN-happy Deputy Registrar Clerk would
spot the obvious inconsistency - a New Jersey Notary "witnessing" an Ohio resident's POA ...
they'd hold a minor inquisition hearing with the Manager, Head Junior Assistant Deputy, and my clerk/deputy person ... LOTS of >pointing< at my POA,
asking and re-asking what MY address was ... GOOD GRIEF - just gimmie the Plates!

I adopted a convenient "fib" that worked for years ... "Oh, I case you're wondering,
I get that POA stuff done Evey year while I'm at Corp HQ, in Jersey."

They'd all smear on their Faces and start processing my Plates.

Heck - In twenty years I think I set foot in MY Company's Harrisburg HQ ONE time ...
and I never laid eyes on Rent-a-Wreck's New Jersey HQ! (Me NAW-Tee!)

-----------------------------
Back to the Find an Ohio Notary ...

Whoever needs his/her signature Notarized - the first or "top" signature -
is the person who needs to have a relationship with the Notary to avoid "Fees" ...

"Free" places include: his BANK branch; his Insurance Salesperson; a friend who's a Notary;
sometimes your Local Government Offices (they may tend to charge),
and an Auto Dealer he's recently dealt with.

You'll PAY the State approved Fees places include: County Government Offices;
any level of Court House; some convenience stores; large Contractor's offices;
or places that you don't have a business relationship with.
Ohio has LOTS of Notary Publics!

Another Ohio TRAP you may run into *IF* the vehicle is now titled outside of Ohio ~
the required "Vehicle Inspection" - which involves finding an "Official Ohio Vehicle Inspector"
who has to make a tracing of the "foreign vehicle's" VIN plate and verify the mileage on the speedometer.
The "Inspector's Reports" HAVE to be turned in to transfer the Title.
Ohio has a LOTTA ways to charge FEES and guarantee employment for folks!