Disciplinary Actions - March/April 2019
Ten notaries in seven counties were disciplined by the Secretary of State for violations of the notary public law.
Blair County
A Tyrone notary was suspended for 12 months, which was stayed in favor of probation, for failing to properly identify her customer and failing to be familiar with the duties of a notary. She was required to successfully complete six hours of notary education and pay a civil penalty of $500.
Dauphin County
A notary from Harrisburg agreed to the suspension of her notary commission, which was stayed in favor of probation, for failing to properly identify her customer, failing to maintain an accurate notary register (journal) by neglecting to record a notarization, the character of the act and the fee collected. She was required to successfully complete a six-hour notary education course and pay a civil penalty of $750 and probation assessment fees of $600.
Lycoming County
A Williamsport notary permanently and voluntarily surrendered his notary commission for failing to properly identify his customer and failing to notify the Secretary of State of a change in address and that he no longer wished to be a notary. He also failed to keep and maintain custody and control of an accurate register (journal). In addition, he ceases to reside in Pennsylvania and has yet to notify the Secretary in writing of the effective date of his resignation.
Montgomery County
A Glenside notary permanently and voluntarily surrendered her notary commission, along with other licenses, certificates or permits, for failing to require personal appearance and failing to keep and maintain an accurate chronological registry of all official notary acts.
A notary from the county had his notary commission revoked for failing to be of good moral character by making material misstatements or omissions of fact on his notary application. The notary answered 'no' to having been convicted of crimes, when in fact, he had a prior conviction.
Northampton County
An Easton notary was suspended for six months, which was stayed in favor of probation for failing to keep and maintain a notary journal. The State deemed the individual lacked the honesty, integrity, competence or reliability to act as a notary.
Philadelphia County
A Philadelphia notary permanently and voluntarily surrendered her notary commission, along with other licenses, certificates or permits, for failing to require personal appearance and failing to maintain an accurate chronological journal of all official notary acts.
A notary from Philadelphia had his commission revoked for failing to be of good moral character. The individual pleaded guilty to insurance fraud, a felony in the third degree. He notarized signatures of parties involved on a vehicle transfer without the personal appearance of the parties.
A third Philadelphia notary permanently and voluntarily surrendered her notary commission for failing to properly identify the person appearing before her and for notarizing the signature of a customer who lacked the capacity to sign.
Pike County
A Matamoras notary had his notary commission suspended, which was stayed in favor of probation, for notarizing a vehicle title for someone other than the owner of that vehicle and failing to record the notarization in his register (journal). He was required to successfully complete a six-hour notary education course and pay a civil penalty of $500 and probation assessment fees of $300.
Blair County
A Tyrone notary was suspended for 12 months, which was stayed in favor of probation, for failing to properly identify her customer and failing to be familiar with the duties of a notary. She was required to successfully complete six hours of notary education and pay a civil penalty of $500.
Dauphin County
A notary from Harrisburg agreed to the suspension of her notary commission, which was stayed in favor of probation, for failing to properly identify her customer, failing to maintain an accurate notary register (journal) by neglecting to record a notarization, the character of the act and the fee collected. She was required to successfully complete a six-hour notary education course and pay a civil penalty of $750 and probation assessment fees of $600.
Lycoming County
A Williamsport notary permanently and voluntarily surrendered his notary commission for failing to properly identify his customer and failing to notify the Secretary of State of a change in address and that he no longer wished to be a notary. He also failed to keep and maintain custody and control of an accurate register (journal). In addition, he ceases to reside in Pennsylvania and has yet to notify the Secretary in writing of the effective date of his resignation.
Montgomery County
A Glenside notary permanently and voluntarily surrendered her notary commission, along with other licenses, certificates or permits, for failing to require personal appearance and failing to keep and maintain an accurate chronological registry of all official notary acts.
A notary from the county had his notary commission revoked for failing to be of good moral character by making material misstatements or omissions of fact on his notary application. The notary answered 'no' to having been convicted of crimes, when in fact, he had a prior conviction.
Northampton County
An Easton notary was suspended for six months, which was stayed in favor of probation for failing to keep and maintain a notary journal. The State deemed the individual lacked the honesty, integrity, competence or reliability to act as a notary.
Philadelphia County
A Philadelphia notary permanently and voluntarily surrendered her notary commission, along with other licenses, certificates or permits, for failing to require personal appearance and failing to maintain an accurate chronological journal of all official notary acts.
A notary from Philadelphia had his commission revoked for failing to be of good moral character. The individual pleaded guilty to insurance fraud, a felony in the third degree. He notarized signatures of parties involved on a vehicle transfer without the personal appearance of the parties.
A third Philadelphia notary permanently and voluntarily surrendered her notary commission for failing to properly identify the person appearing before her and for notarizing the signature of a customer who lacked the capacity to sign.
Pike County
A Matamoras notary had his notary commission suspended, which was stayed in favor of probation, for notarizing a vehicle title for someone other than the owner of that vehicle and failing to record the notarization in his register (journal). He was required to successfully complete a six-hour notary education course and pay a civil penalty of $500 and probation assessment fees of $300.
