Substantial overhaul’ for notaries public in Alabama soon to take effect September 1, 2023

The law requires all notaries public applicants except lawyers to successfully complete an online training program prepared by the Alabama Law Institute and the Alabama Probate Judges Association.  

The act also specifies certain actions such as claiming to be a notary public without being commissioned or performing a notarial act with an expired, suspended, or restricted commission as crimes. 

The law creates specific grounds to deny a notary public application if the:

1. Applicant is not a resident of Alabama.
2. Applicant makes the application to a judge of probate who is not the judge of probate of the county in which the applicant resides.
3. Applicant has been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude.
4. Applicant is currently a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding.
5. Applicant is under a current order adjudicating the applicant to be incapacitated.
6. Applicant provides false information on the application.
7. Applicant is unable or unwilling to successfully complete the required training program within 30 days of submission of application (judge of probate may extend for good cause shown).

Notaries public are appointed by local probate judges for four-year terms.

Too access the application form and training "click" on the "related link" above or visit The Alabama Probate Judges Association Website at https://www.alpja.org.