Disciplinary Actions - Sept. Oct. 2019
Five notaries in five counties were disciplined by the Department of State for violations of the notary public law.
Dauphin County
A notary from Highspire permanently and voluntarily surrendered his notary commission because he made a material misstatement or omission of fact on his notary reappointment applications in 2009, 2013, and 2017 by answering "no" to the legal question. He also failed to maintain custody and control of a notary journal and failed to include essential notarial language on multiple documents.
Erie County
An Erie notary permanently and voluntarily surrendered her notary commission because she failed to require personal appearance before she notarized a customer's signature on a document. She failed to record the notarization of the individual's signature in her journal and failed to properly place her notary stamp on the document (stamp and signature were illegible). In addition, she charged the individual $20 to complete the notarization when the maximum amount she could have charged was $5.
Perry County
A notary from Shermans Dale agreed to the suspension of her notary commission for 18 months, which was stayed in favor of probation because she failed to properly identify her customer and failed to maintain an accurate notary journal.
Philadephia County
A Philadelphia notary had her notary commission suspended for nine months, which was stayed in favor of probation because she failed to maintain custody and control of her notary stamp and notary journal. She also failed to maintain an accurate notary journal of all official acts performed. She was levied a civil penalty of $1,250 and ordered to complete a notary education course.
Washington County
A notary from McMurray agreed to the suspension of her notary commission for three months, which was stayed in favor of probation because she failed to maintain an accurate notary journal of all official acts performed. She must successfully complete a six-hour notary education course and was levied a civil penalty of $400 and a probation assessment fee of $150.
Dauphin County
A notary from Highspire permanently and voluntarily surrendered his notary commission because he made a material misstatement or omission of fact on his notary reappointment applications in 2009, 2013, and 2017 by answering "no" to the legal question. He also failed to maintain custody and control of a notary journal and failed to include essential notarial language on multiple documents.
Erie County
An Erie notary permanently and voluntarily surrendered her notary commission because she failed to require personal appearance before she notarized a customer's signature on a document. She failed to record the notarization of the individual's signature in her journal and failed to properly place her notary stamp on the document (stamp and signature were illegible). In addition, she charged the individual $20 to complete the notarization when the maximum amount she could have charged was $5.
Perry County
A notary from Shermans Dale agreed to the suspension of her notary commission for 18 months, which was stayed in favor of probation because she failed to properly identify her customer and failed to maintain an accurate notary journal.
Philadephia County
A Philadelphia notary had her notary commission suspended for nine months, which was stayed in favor of probation because she failed to maintain custody and control of her notary stamp and notary journal. She also failed to maintain an accurate notary journal of all official acts performed. She was levied a civil penalty of $1,250 and ordered to complete a notary education course.
Washington County
A notary from McMurray agreed to the suspension of her notary commission for three months, which was stayed in favor of probation because she failed to maintain an accurate notary journal of all official acts performed. She must successfully complete a six-hour notary education course and was levied a civil penalty of $400 and a probation assessment fee of $150.
