Can an employer require you to be a notary?
Asked by: Mona Mohr | Last update: September 4, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (57 votes)
Can an employer require you to be a notary in order to keep your job? An employer has a right to require its employees to become notaries public as part of their duties of their employment in order to meet the needs of the business. However, an employer cannot govern the duties of the office of notary public.
Can you refuse to do a notary?
``...a notary has the right to refuse notarization of anything, and has no obligation or requirement to inform you as to why they are refusing.''
What is the new law for notaries in California?
A new law taking effect January 1, 2025, allows a “disinterested custodian” of an electronic record to certify a tangible copy of the electronic record before a Notary. The FAQ below explains how this new law affects California Notaries and what to do if asked to perform this type of notarization.
Can a document be legal without a notary?
Many types of written contracts don't require a notary public to be valid. However, if a person's signature has been notarized, generally, courts waive the legal obligation or duty to prove contract authentication. This can save you a lot of time and money.
Does being a notary count as a certification?
Like the training beforehand, the notary exam can usually be taken either in person or online. After taking and passing the exam, the state will provide you with a notary commission certificate and further instructions regarding the oath of office.
Enrolled Agent Exam Preparation Course, Part 3, Video 1/4, 2024
What is the difference between notary and certified?
In California, the notary is prohibited from “Certifying” documents with the exception of Power of Attorney documents and their own journal entries. Some other states do allow the notary to do so, which can cause confusion if the requesting agency is located outside California.
Is a scanned notarized document legal?
Are scanned documents legal? Even though you can physically scan a notarized document, this does not necessarily mean the other party is going to accept it. If you are planning on scanning a notarized document, you should reach out to the other party ahead of time to see if he or she will accept it.
Is a text message legally binding?
This ruling states that as long as text messages satisfy the necessary conditions required of a bilateral contract in offer, consideration, capacity, and acceptance, they can be considered legally enforceable.
Does a loan agreement have to be notarized?
No, a personal loan agreement does not need to be notarized to be legally binding — it simply needs to be signed by each party to the agreement.
Is there a demand for notaries in California?
Demand: The need for notaries is on the rise due to economic growth and increased legal services. This trend creates ample job opportunities. Earning Potential: With California being the highest-paying state for notaries, the average salary stands at $59,055 per year.
How much can notaries charge in California?
California permits notaries to charge up to $15 for each notarized signature. This cap applies to standard acts, such as acknowledging signatures on documents like affidavits and deeds. Certifying copies costs around $15 per copy, ensuring price transparency.
What disqualifies you from being a Notary in California?
Failure to disclose any arrest or conviction. Conviction of a felony where not more than 10 years have passed since the completion of probation. Conviction of a disqualifying misdemeanor where not more than 5 years have passed since the completion of probation.
Can my employer force me to become a notary?
Can an employer require you to be a notary in order to keep your job? An employer has a right to require its employees to become notaries public as part of their duties of their employment in order to meet the needs of the business. However, an employer cannot govern the duties of the office of notary public.
What is the most common mistake made by a notary?
One of the most common mistakes that notaries make is not printing or signing their name exactly as it appears on their notary commission.
Why not to be a notary?
You may not enjoy a steady source of income
As a self-employed notary, enjoying a steady source of income may be difficult. This is because the flow of jobs may be unpredictable and estimating how often your clients will need your services may be difficult.
Can screenshots of text messages be used in court?
Just like social media posts, screenshots of text messages can be used in court, but face similar challenges regarding authentication. Without the original metadata and context, proving that a screenshot is an accurate and unaltered representation of the original message can be difficult.
Is an email considered a written notice?
Generally, yes — email is considered written notice. While states have varying laws regarding when property owners should provide written notices and what forms of communication count as such, emails are generally accepted as written notices.
What is promissory estoppel?
Within contract law , promissory estoppel refers to the doctrine that a party may recover on the basis of a promise made when the party's reliance on that promise was reasonable , and the party attempting to recover detrimentally relied on the promise.
Can you use DocuSign instead of a notary?
The trusted way to remotely and electronically notarize agreements. Docusign Notary is the best fit for organizations that need to notarize many documents per year and can supply their own notary.
What voids a notarized document?
Missing or Incorrect Notary Seal
If this seal is missing or incorrect, the document becomes invalid. For example, the seal must include the notary's name, commission number, and expiration date. States like California and Texas have specific requirements for the placement and design of the seal.
Is a document legal if not notarized?
Just like wills, there is generally no requirement that a contract be notarized in order to be legally binding. However, if a party who signed a business agreement decides to dispute that agreement in court, a notarized contract can help a great deal.
Is a notary stamp the same as a signature?
Both look similar on paper, and one might think they are interchangeable or both equally signify that the identities of signers of a document are valid. However both signature guarantees and notary stamps serve their own unique purposes, are conducted by different people and are used on different types of documents.
Can a notary notarize a photocopied signature if it is legible?
You may not notarize the copy of a signature. The signature must be the original wet signature, not a copy.
Are Notaries respected?
As representatives of the state, Notaries must perform their official duties with respect and seriousness for the public service role they play as a trusted, impartial witness.