The bill SB322 amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance the regulations surrounding notaries public, focusing on both traditional and remote notarization practices. Key changes include an increase in the notary commission fee from ten dollars to twenty-five dollars and a rise in the required bond amount from $25,000 to $50,000. It mandates that applicants complete a training program and outlines specific grounds for application acceptance or denial, such as felony convictions and bankruptcy status. The bill also establishes that notaries must provide a seal of office, conduct signature acknowledgments in their physical presence, and clarifies their responsibilities, emphasizing honesty and diligence while introducing penalties for misconduct.

Additionally, the bill allows for remote notarization, permitting notaries to verify identities through personal knowledge or valid government-issued IDs, and requires detailed recording of remote notarial acts. It modifies the fee structure for notarial acts, increasing the maximum fee from five dollars to ten dollars, while prohibiting public employees from charging fees for notarial services performed in their official capacity. The bill introduces new penalties for violations, including a Class C misdemeanor for infractions and a Class D felony for fraudulent acts, and allows investigations into misconduct to continue post-commission expiration. The act will take effect three months after approval by the Governor, reflecting a comprehensive update to notarial laws in Alabama.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-20-70, 36-20-71, 36-20-72, 36-20-73, 36-20-74, 36-20-75
Engrossed: 36-20-70, 36-20-71, 36-20-72, 36-20-73, 36-20-74, 36-20-75
Enrolled: 36-20-70, 36-20-71, 36-20-72, 36-20-73, 36-20-74, 36-20-75