Senate Bill 2394 Summary

• Establishes the "Revised Mississippi Law on Notarial Acts" replacing prior notary public statutes, effective July 1, 2021.

• Authorizes notaries public, judges, court clerks, and the Secretary of State to perform notarial acts including acknowledgments, administering oaths, certifying depositions, and witnessing signatures; limits fees to $5.00 per service.

• Requires notary applicants to be at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, Mississippi residents for 30+ days, able to read and write English, and maintain a $5,000 surety bond; commissions issued for 4-year terms.

• Requires notaries to maintain a journal recording all notarial acts with date, time, type of act, identity information, and fees charged; prohibits notaries from performing certain acts including practicing law, serving as immigration consultants, or using misleading "notario" titles.

• Imposes criminal penalties for violations: first offense up to $1,000 fine, second offense up to one year jail and/or $1,000 fine, third or subsequent offense up to five years imprisonment and/or $5,000 fine (all within five-year period).