Disciplinary Actions - January-February 2017
The Secretary of the Commonwealth took action against five notaries in five counties for violations against the Pennsylvania Notary Public Law.
Allegheny County
An Elizabeth notary was suspended for six months followed by 18 months of probation and assessed a civil penalty of $500 and $900 probation assessment fees for notarizing a document and failing to require personal appearance or properly identifying the individual. He failed to maintain an accurate notary register and charged fees in excess of those set by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Lehigh County
A notary in Whitehall was suspended for four months, which was stayed in favor of probation for failing to take the oath of office, record her bond and register her signature. She was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $250 and a probation assessment fee of $200. The civil penalty was stayed in favor of the successful completion of a notary education course.
Montgomery County
An Ambler notary was suspended for six months, which was stayed in favor of probation, for failing to properly identify her customer and maintain an accurate chronological register. She was ordered to complete a notary education course and pay a civil penalty of $250 and a probation assessment fee of $300.
Northumberland County
A notary from Montandon permanently and voluntarily surrendered her notary commission because she failed to be of good character, integrity and ability. She submitted a check to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on an account with insufficient funds.
Westmoreland County
A Greensburg notary was suspended for two months, which was stayed in favor of probation for failing to be familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a notary and failing to maintain an accurate notary register. She was assessed a civil penalty of $250, which was stayed in favor of the successful completion of a notary education course, and a probation assessment fee of $100.
Allegheny County
An Elizabeth notary was suspended for six months followed by 18 months of probation and assessed a civil penalty of $500 and $900 probation assessment fees for notarizing a document and failing to require personal appearance or properly identifying the individual. He failed to maintain an accurate notary register and charged fees in excess of those set by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Lehigh County
A notary in Whitehall was suspended for four months, which was stayed in favor of probation for failing to take the oath of office, record her bond and register her signature. She was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $250 and a probation assessment fee of $200. The civil penalty was stayed in favor of the successful completion of a notary education course.
Montgomery County
An Ambler notary was suspended for six months, which was stayed in favor of probation, for failing to properly identify her customer and maintain an accurate chronological register. She was ordered to complete a notary education course and pay a civil penalty of $250 and a probation assessment fee of $300.
Northumberland County
A notary from Montandon permanently and voluntarily surrendered her notary commission because she failed to be of good character, integrity and ability. She submitted a check to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on an account with insufficient funds.
Westmoreland County
A Greensburg notary was suspended for two months, which was stayed in favor of probation for failing to be familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a notary and failing to maintain an accurate notary register. She was assessed a civil penalty of $250, which was stayed in favor of the successful completion of a notary education course, and a probation assessment fee of $100.
