Source: https://www.notarypublicstamps.com/become-a-notary/montana/
Timestamp: 2018-12-17 00:38:45
Document Index: 615170745

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1', '§40', '§40', '§40', '§40', 'art 6', 'art_0060', 'art 3', 'art_0030']

How To Become a Montana Notary | AAN
Abbreviation: MT | 41st State | Statehood: November 8, 1889 | Select a State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Select a State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
How to become a notary in Montana:
To become a notary in Montana, a notary applicant must meet all of the following requirements:
Be a resident of or have a place of employment or practice in Montana
Not have been disqualified to receive a commission as provided in Section 1-5-621, MCA
Qualifications for becoming a notary in Montana:
In order to become a Montana notary and receive a Montana notary public commission, a notary applicant must:
Pass the Montana Notary Public Exam before applying for a notary public commission.
Complete the Application for Appointment as a Montana Notary Public online and print it out, or print a copy of the blank application and fill it out by hand.
Submit the complete and signed application, the original $10,000 surety bond, the exam certificate, and the non-refundable filing fee of $25 to the Secretary of State within thirty days of the bond’s effective date.
Purchase a notary stamp and journal upon receiving the Certificate of Commission, which will probably be mailed within 14 days.
Non-Resident Montana Notary:
Is a Montana notary bond required to become a notary in Montana?
Yes. A Montana surety bond (assurance) in the amount of $10,000 is required for new and renewing notaries public. The assurance must be issued by a surety or other entity licensed or authorized to do business in Montana.
Do I need Montana notary errors and omissions insurance?
While optional in Montana, errors and omission insurance is designed to protect notaries public from liability against unintentional notarial mistakes or omissions that result in financial damages to the public or a document signer. The American Association of Notaries encourages Montana notaries to purchase an errors and omissions insurance policy for their protection against liability.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Montana?
To become a notary public in Montana, a notary applicant’s required expenses include the following: (1) a $25 filing fee to process an application for appointment or reappointment; (2) a surety bond; (3) a notary seal; and (4) a notary journal. Additional expenses may, at the notary’s option, include the purchase of an errors and omissions insurance policy to protect the notary against liability.
How long is the term of a notary public commission in Montana?
The term of office of a Montana notary public is four years, commencing on the date specified in the commission. However, a notary’s commission may be rendered void: (1) by resignation; (2) by death; (3) by revocation; (4) when a notary public no longer resides in Montana; or (5) when a nonresident notary no longer has a place of employment or practice in Montana.
Where can I perform notarial acts in Montana?
Montana notaries have jurisdiction to perform their official duties in every county in Montana. In some cases, a Montana notary public may perform a notarial act in either of the two adjoining states – North Dakota and Wyoming. Even when performing a notarization in either North Dakota or Wyoming, a Montana notary must always follow the laws and rules of Montana. The statutes that allow this practice are dependent on both Montana and the reciprocal states.
Who appoints Montana notaries public?
The Montana Secretary of State appoints Montana notaries public.
(406) 444-5379 or (406) 444-1877
How to renew your Montana notary commission:
A Montana notary public may not renew his or her commission more than thirty days prior to the commission expiration date or thirty days after the commission expires.The application for reappointment process is the same as the initial application for appointment process. If a notary fails to renew his or her notary commission in a timely manner, the notary will be required to re-take a notary training program. To begin the renewal process, go to: http://sos.mt.gov/notary/New.
Are there any exams or notary course requirements to become a notary or renew your Montana notary public certificate?
Yes. New notary applicants must complete a notary training program approved by the Secretary of State and pass the Montana Notary Public Exam before applying for a commission as a Montana notary public. To begin the Montana Online Notary Training, go to: http://sos.mt.gov/Notary/Training/Online.
Do I need to purchase a notary stamp in Montana?
Yes. Montana law requires all notaries public to affix an official stamp to authenticate all notarial acts performed. Section 1-5-616 of the Montana Code Annotated and Section 44-15-107 of the Administrative Rules of Montana provide the legal specifications regarding the layout and the information required on all notary stamps.
Dimensions: The stamp must be rectangular in form, approximately 1” x 2 ½” in size with a rectangular border.
Required Elements: The Montana notary stamp must be in blue or black ink and have a circular seal to the left and contain the following elements:
The words “State of Montana”
The notary public’s name as it appears on the notary’s certificate of commission
In addition, the Montana notary stamp must have a block of text to the right of the seal that includes:
The words “Notary Public for the State of Montana”
The words “Residing at” immediately followed by the name of the city or town and state where the notary public lives
The words “My Commission Expires” immediately followed by the notary public’s commission expiration date, expressed in terms of the month(spelled out), day, and four-digit year
A plain rectangular border must enclose the text and seal and be presented in the general format illustrated in the Montana Notary Public Handbook
Is a notary journal required in Montana?
Yes. Montana notaries are required to maintain one or more journals in a tangible medium or in an electronic format to chronicle all notarial acts performed. The format of a journal maintained in a tangible medium must be a permanent, bound register designed to deter fraud. A journal maintained in an electronic format must be in a permanent, tamper-evident electronic format that complies with the rules adopted by the Secretary of State.Montana notaries must retain a notary record book ten years after the performance of the last notarial act.For Montana notary supplies, visit our website at www.usnotaries.com or call (800) 721-2663.
How much can a Montana notary charge for performing notarial acts?
Montana notary fees are set by statute (§1-5-626[1]). The maximum allowable fees that a Montana notary public can charge for notarial acts are listed below:
Acknowledgments - $10
Oaths or affirmations - $10
Certifying copies - $10
Witnessing signatures - $10
Certifying transcripts - $3.50 per page
Note: If a notary travels to perform a notarization, he or she may charge a travel fee at the mileage rate allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. If the notary is going to charge a travel fee, the notary must: (1) explain to the person requesting the notarial act that the travel fee is in addition to the statutory notarial fees; (2) the travel fee is not determined by law; and (3) the person requesting the notarial act agrees in advance to the amount of the travel fee. Notaries who charge notarial fees must publish their fee schedules in English.
What notarial acts can a Montana notary public perform?
A Montana notary public is authorized to perform these notarial acts:
Certify transcripts of depositions or affidavits
Protest of negotiable instruments
Can I perform electronic notarizations in Montana?
Yes. The state of Montana has adopted the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act, including the provision on notarization and acknowledgment, which authorizes electronic signatures used by Montana notaries. In addition, the Secretary of State has adopted some rules and/or procedures for electronic notarizations. A Montana notary public who intends to provide electronic notarization services must provide the Secretary of State with the identification of the tamper-proof technology the notary intends to use.
Personal Appearance. Section 1-5-603 states, “If a notarial act relates to a statement made in or a signature executed on a record, the individual making the statement or executing the signature shall appear physically before the notarial officer or by real-time, two-way video and audio communication technology as authorized in 1-5-615 and 1-5-628.Montana law defines personal appearance as either physical presence or, in some specific situations, real-time, two-way video and audio communication (remote notarization).
Can I perform remote notarizations in Montana?
Yes. The Secretary of State has adopted rules and standards for Montana notaries who perform acknowledgments or verifications on oath or affirmation by means of a real-time, two-way audio-video communication (remote notarization). Remote notarization is permitted if: (a) the signer is personally known to the notary or identified by a credible witness; (b) except for a transaction that is pursuant to a proxy marriage under MCA §40-1-213 or MCA §40-1-301, the signer is a legal resident of Montana; and (c) the transaction involves real property located in Montana, involves personal property titled in Montana, is under the jurisdiction of any Montana court, or is pursuant to a proxy marriage under MCA §40-1-213 or MCA §40-1-301. Notaries who perform remote notarization must keep a copy of the recording of the entire communication and a record of the identification used for a period of ten years from the date of the notarization.The jurisdiction for performing remote notarizations is limited strictly to within the borders of Montana.
Personal Appearance. Section 1-5-603 states, “If a notarial act relates to a statement made in or a signature executed on a record, the individual making the statement or executing the signature shall appear physically before the notarial officer or by real-time, two-way video and audio communication technology as authorized in 1-5-615 and 1-5-628.” Montana law defines personal appearance as either physical presence or, in some specific situations, real-time, two-way video and audio communication (remote notarization).
A Montana notary public whose residence, mailing address, personal telephone number, or employment information changes during the term of the notary’s commission is required to submit a Notary Information Update form to the Secretary of State within thirty days of any changes. An amended Certificate of Commission will be issued when the notary’s city of residence changes, and he or she will have to obtain a new stamp. Click here to download the Notary Information Update form.
How do I change my name on my notary commission in Montana?
A Montana notary public whose name is legally changed during the term of the notary’s commission is required to notify the Secretary of State within thirty days of the name change and provide the following: (1) a Notary Information Update form; (2) a rider bearing the notary’s new name; and (3) an example of the notary’s new official signature. The notary will receive by mail an amended certificate reflecting the new name, which is required to obtain a notary stamp with the new name. Click here to download the Notary Information Update form.
A Montana notary public, or his or her representative, should send a written notice to the Secretary of State if the notary: (1) no longer maintains a residence in Montana during the term of the commission; (2) no longer wishes to hold the office of notary public; (3) is deceased; (4) is duty-bound to resign by court order or the Secretary of State’s revocation process; or (5) no longer has a place of employment or practice in Montana (for nonresident notaries). In all of the above-referenced situations, the notary seal must be immediately destroyed, and the notary’s journal must be forwarded to the Secretary of State.
These activities by a Montana notary public provide a basis for administrative disciplinary action:
Representing a person in a judicial or administrative proceeding relating to immigration to the United States or United States citizenship or related matters
Receiving compensation for performing any immigration or immigration-related activities
Allowing another person to use the notary’s seal or stamp
Using a notary seal or stamp that does not conform to statutory requirements
Notarizing incomplete documents or documents that contain blank spaces
Withholding access to, or retaining possession of, an original record provided by a person seeking performance of a notarial act except as otherwise allowed by law
Montana notaries public who commit official malfeasance may be subject to criminal liability, civil liability, and administrative disciplinary action.
Administrative Rules of Montana Section 44-15-106(3): A notary public must notify the Secretary of State within 14 calendar days if:
(a) he or she is convicted of a felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit;
(b) he or she is found in any legal proceeding or disciplinary action to have acted fraudulently, dishonestly, or deceitfully; or
(c) he or she has a notary commission denied, revoked, or restricted in a state other than Montana.
Montana Notary Laws and Regulations:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 5, Part 6 “Notarial Acts”
http://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0010/chapter_0050/part_0060/sections_index.html
Montana Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 5, Part 3 “Proof of Execution”
http://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0010/chapter_0050/part_0030/sections_index.html
Administrative Rules of Montana, Title 44, Chapter 15 “Notaries Public”
http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=44%2E15
Montana Notarial Certificates:
Click here to view Montana’s notarial certificates.