Any NYS Notaries impacted by new law?

[randomjay]

A new law took effect in NY on Jan 25, requiring notaries to keep a journal with all major details for every single notary they preform. The records must be kept for 10!!! Years.

The maximum fee for a standard notary did not increase and stands at $2.00 (which I believe didn’t change for at least 20 years, similar to the .05 bottle deposit that also wasn’t impacted by inflation…) so for $2 you’re supposed to keep a record for 10 years…

I am a notary public as I needed it for the business, lots of people in my community, Shull, or just family & friends turn to me for notary service which I used to gladly do as a Chesed (I only took $ from people that voluntarily gave me, and I definitely enjoyed the pocket cash). This journal requirement will cause me to stop, as it’s way too much of a hassle L to be busy with journal.

Anyone else impacted? Any thoughts?

[whacked1]

Hopefully NJ doesnt enact the same.

You can simplify it for yourself and create something like a form (google or such) and make whomever wants notary services complete. It'll save to a sheet and you dont need to be bothered with it.

But yeah, this law seems like a PITA.

[Moshe123]

The details are nuts.

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/ny-makes-changes-to-notary-public-laws-2258151/

[yesitsme]

Hopefully NJ doesnt enact the same.

You can simplify it for yourself and create something like a form (google or such) and make whomever wants notary services complete. It'll save to a sheet and you dont need to be bothered with it.

But yeah, this law seems like a PITA.

os sorry goggle terminated my account and the backup was hit by a ransom attack

[ari3]

A new law took effect in NY on Jan 25, requiring notaries to keep a journal with all major details for every single notary they preform. The records must be kept for 10!!! Years.

The maximum fee for a standard notary did not increase and stands at $2.00 (which I believe didn’t change for at least 20 years, similar to the .05 bottle deposit that also wasn’t impacted by inflation…) so for $2 you’re supposed to keep a record for 10 years…

I am a notary public as I needed it for the business, lots of people in my community, Shull, or just family & friends turn to me for notary service which I used to gladly do as a Chesed (I only took $ from people that voluntarily gave me, and I definitely enjoyed the pocket cash). This journal requirement will cause me to stop, as it’s way too much of a hassle L to be busy with journal.

Anyone else impacted? Any thoughts?

And what happens if you don't keep the records? Who is coming to check and how would they know who you notarized for?

[aygart]

And what happens if you don't keep the records? Who is coming to check and how would they know who you notarized for?

The issue can be if there is ever a legal dispute and then there may be some liability.

[randomjay]

The issue can be if there is ever a legal dispute and then there may be some liability.

The way I understand the law, if you don’t keep proper records it’s a misdemeanour and will lead you to be removed as a notary, but you’re probably right, that in a civil dispute where the notary doesn’t have the records it can lead to more liability.

[myi]

Hopefully NJ doesnt enact the same.

You can simplify it for yourself and create something like a form (google or such) and make whomever wants notary services complete. It'll save to a sheet and you dont need to be bothered with it.

But yeah, this law seems like a PITA.

Very smart move. Create a template to have on hand and send over to those in advance.