SB54 Summary

• Eliminates the distinction between county and at-large notaries public in Alabama by consolidating them into a single statewide system of notaries appointed by judges of probate.

• Notaries public serve four-year terms with state-wide jurisdiction not limited to their county of residence and must post a $25,000 bond approved by the judge of probate of their county of residence.

• Judges of probate collect a $10 fee per notary commission issued and must report notary names, residency, and commission dates to the Secretary of State.

• Notaries are authorized to administer oaths, take acknowledgments or proof of commercial instruments, protest bills of exchange and promissory notes, and charge $5 per notarial act performed.

• Makes it a Class C misdemeanor to perform notarial acts after commission expiration or without a valid commission; preserves existing notaries' authority for the remainder of their current commissions; effective January 1, 2012.