How To become Notary Public in Vermont

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What are the requirements to become a Vermont notary public?

To become a Vermont notary public, a notary applicant must meet the following requirements:

  1. At least 18 years old
  2. You must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent legal resident.
  3. Vermont residents or those who have Vermont-based employment or practice.
  4. You are not disqualified from receiving a commission under Section 534 of Chapter 103.
  5. Pass the basic exam approved by the Office Professional Regulations (OPR), based on the regulations, rules and ethics applicable to notarial acts as of February 1, 2021 (26 VA SS5341[b]).

How do you become a Vermont notary public?

To become a Vermont notary public and receive a Vermont notary public commission, a notary applicant must:

  1. You must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the previous section.
  2. Complete the Oath of OfficeForm provided by the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), and have it notarized before you fill out your online application.
  3. Register on OPR’s online licensing platform and click “Apply For Individual License” to submit the online application. ClickHereTo access OPR’s online licensing program. If you already have an account, don’t create a new one.
  4. Send us a photo of the signed and notarized copy.Oath of Office.
  5. Apply for the job by paying $15.00
  6. Once your application has been approved, wait for an email notification. The commission will be available to print through your online licensing account.

Examine Applicants for notary public commissions must pass an exam based on notary public rules and regulations. Notaries public must complete two hours of continuing education before submitting an online renewal application for their commission. This requirement will be in effect from February 1, 2021. Unless the notary public is exempt, continuing education will be required for renewal in 2023. The Secretary of State will soon provide more information about continuing education courses.

Notice:Notary applicants must report all convictions along with a detailed written explanation and certified court documents. Visit the Vermont Secretary Of State’s website for more information and step-by–step instructions.Vermont Secretary of State – Office of Professional Regulation Notaries Public SectionYou can apply online. Applications on paper are not accepted.

Is it possible for a non-resident to become a Vermont notary?

Yes. Non-residents of Vermont can apply for a Vermont notary commission (26 VSA S5341[b][3]. Non-residents must comply with the following conditions:

  1. At least 18 years old
  2. You must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent legal resident.
  3. Vermont has a number of places where you can work or practice.
  4. You are not disqualified from receiving a commission under Section 534 of Chapter 103.
  5. Pass the obligatory examination.
  6. Before you fill out the online application for notary public, complete the Oath of Office and have it notarized.
  7. To complete your online notary request, create an account with OPR’s Online Licensing System.
  8. Upload the signed, notarized Oath to Office.
  9. Apply for the job by paying $15.00

What is the cost of becoming a Vermont notary?

The expenses of a Vermont notary may include the following:

  1. To process the online appointment or reappointment application as a notary public, a $15 filing fee is required.
  2. If the notary public chooses to use a seal notary, he or she will need a notary seal.
  3. If the notary public wants to keep a record of their notarial acts, they can use a journal.
  4. If the notary public wants to get one, a notary bond is available to cover financial damage to the principal signer or the public as a result of notary errors.
  5. A notary public can obtain an errors and omissions policy for personal protection from liability.

How can I renew my Vermont notary license?

All Vermont notaries public’s Commissions will remain in force until January 31, 2021. They must be renewed every two year thereafter. Each notary public will be sent three reminders for renewal via email to the address on file with Office Professional Regulation approximately six weeks before the expiration date. Notaries public must keep their email address current by logging into the OPR Online Licensing System and updating their profile.

Late penalties will be applied to notaries who fail to renew their commissions by midnight on the day they expire. 3 V.S.A. SS127(d),(1). The online renewal application must be completed by the renewing notary public. They also need to provide proof of eligibility. The Office Professional Regulation will issue a renewal notary public public commission after receiving the completed online renewal application of a notary public, along with evidence of eligibility and payment of the filing fees. Notary public commission renewals are not accepted by town and county clerks or other agencies.

A notary public must have completed a two-hour continuing education course that was approved by the Office Professional Regulation within the previous two-year period (26 VA SS5343[b]). Notaries public need not complete continuing education to renew their commissions for January 31, 2021 renewal. Unless the notary public is exempt, continuing education will be required for renewal in 2023. The Vermont Secretary shall adopt guidelines and criteria to allow continuing education credit.

Is there any exam or notary course required to become a Vermont Notary Public or renew my Vermont Notary Public Commission?

Online notary applications submitted by first-time applicants after February 1, 2021 must pass an exam based on notary public rules, statutes, and ethics applicable to notarial acts. Two hours of continuing education must be completed by a notary public to renew his or her commission (26 VSA S5343[b]). Notaries public need not complete continuing education to renew their commissions for renewal on January 31, 2021. Unless the notary public is exempt, continuing education will be required for the renewal of the 2023 commission and every two years thereafter.

The Vermont Secretary-of-State shall adopt guidelines and criteria to allow continuing education credit. The Office of Professional Regulation will provide a list of approved continuing-education vendors. Online renewals will require notaries public to attach their course completion certificates. The Office of Professional Regulation doesn’t offer notary public training. The examination requirement is not applicable to attorneys who are licensed in Vermont and in good standing. To review the list of exemptions, click here: Alfresco >> Notaries Public List of Exemptions.pdf (state.vt.us). The administrative rules will provide additional information about continuing education requirements. More information will be made available regarding Continuing Education courses soon on the Vermont Secretary of State’s website at: Vermont Secretary of State – Office of Professional Regulation Notaries Public Section.

Can I do electronic notarization in Vermont

Yes. The “Uniform law on notarial acts” was enacted by the State of Vermont (26 V.S.A.) effective July 1, 2019. Chapter 103 contains a section that allows a notary public the power to choose one or more tamper evident technologies to perform notarial actions with respect to electronic records derived from the tampering technologies approved by Vermont Secretary of State through an administrative rule.

Vermont also adopted the “Uniform electronic Transaction Act (9 VSA Chapter 20), which includes the provisions on acknowledgment and notarization. This authorizes public notaries to use electronic signatures. House Bill 526 required that the Vermont Secretary-of-State adopt rules to implement the act. It specifically stated that neither remote nor electronic notarization would be permitted until the Secretary has established rules and prescribed standards in these areas (26 VSA, SS5323[c]).

The Vermont Secretary of State adopted Emergency Rules for Remote Notarization and Notaries Public (“Rules”) that were in effect from September 21, 2020 through March 19, 2021. Guidance for the Rules was also issued by the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office Office of Professional Regulation. This guidance clarifies that these emergency rules are intended to allow notarial acts to be performed when the signer and notary public cannot physically meet. These emergency rules clarify the requirements for personal appearance before notary publics, as stated in 26 V.S.A. SS5364.

These guidelines state that notary public and signer of record should use the rules sparingly. These rules also state that “these rules do not allow electronic notarization or remote electronic notarization of electronic documents.” Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the Secretary of State created emergency rules to define the requirements for “personally appearing before a notary public by communication via a “secure communications link”. The rules also clarify that “All other provisions” of the Vermont Uniform Act for Notarial Acts as stated in 26 V.S.A. are still applicable. Chapter 103 will continue to apply.” While Section 5371 of 26 VSA Chapter 103 allows a notary public the authority to perform notarial acts in respect to electronic records (but the Secretary-of-State has yet to establish the standards for electronic notarizations according to state law),

Can I do remote (online notarizations) in Vermont?

Yes. The “Uniform law on notarial acts” was enacted by the State of Vermont (26 V.S.A.) effective July 1, 2019. The “Uniform Law on Notarial Acts” (26 V.S.A.) was enacted in Chapter 103. House Bill 526 directs the Vermont Secretary to create rules to implement the act. It specifically specifies that these rules will include (1) standards for remote online notarization, (2) standards for credential analysis, (3) the process by which a third party affirms an individual’s identity; (4) methods of communicating via secure communication links; (5) the method of certification of remote notarization; and (6) the notice to be attached disclosing that remote notarization was performed on any document that has been acknowledged using remote online notarization. Section 5323 also states that neither remote nor electronic notarization will be permitted until the Secretary has established rules and standards in these areas.

The Vermont Secretary of State adopted Emergency Rules for Remote Notaries and Notaries Public (“Rules”) that were in effect from September 21, 2020 through March 19, 2021. The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office also issued Guidance for the Rules. This guidance clarifies that these emergency rules are intended to allow notarial acts to be performed when the signer and notary public cannot physically meet. These emergency rules clarify the requirements for personal appearance before notary publics as provided in 26 V.S.A. SS5364. The guidelines state that procedures should not be used in a single space and should only be used when a notary public or signer of a record are physically separated. These rules further state that electronic notarization and remote online notarization are not permitted under these rules. Chapter 103 will continue to apply.” Section 5364[b][2] of 26 VSA Chapter 103 states that the requirement for personal appearance is satisfied when the notary public and person communicate over a secure link using protocols, standards and rules prescribed by the Secretary.

These emergency rules were issued by the Vermont Secretary of State to set the requirements for “personally appearing before a notary public” through communication via a “secure communications link” in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The Secretary of State has yet to establish the standards. He promulgated rules regarding remote online notarization and credential analysis. This is the process by which a third party confirms an individual’s identity. And he also established methods for communicating via secure communication links as required by state law. The Office of Professional Regulation suggests that notaries public regularly visit their website to receive updates, information, as well as notices of administrative rules adopted in the State. To review the Secretary of State’s emergency rules and guidance for the rules referenced herein, go to the Secretary of State’s website: Vermont Secretary of State – Office of Professional Regulation Notaries Public Section.

What is the term of a Vermont notary public commission?

The notary public commission has a two-year term. If they want to continue performing notarial acts, notaries public must renew their commission in January of odd years. Their commissions will also need to be renewed every 2 years. January 31, 2021 will be the first renewal date for notaries public. Six weeks before the deadline, the first courtesy reminder is typically sent.

To become a Vermont notary, do I need a Vermont notary bond?

No. No.

What is the best Vermont insurance for notary errors and omissions?

No. Vermont does not require an errors and omissions policy. E&O insurance is optional in Vermont. For their protection against liability, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that Vermont notaries obtain an errors and/or omissions policy. The purpose of errors and omissions insurance protects notaries public against liability for notarial mistakes, omissions, or financial losses to the public or clients for whom a notary public is sued. A Vermont notary public can select the coverage that covers E&O policies. This policy typically covers legal fees as well as damages.

Is there a place where I can perform notarial acts?

A notary public is a person who has been commissioned by 26 V.S.A. The only limitation of Chapter 103 is that it may perform notarial acts within Vermont’s geographic boundaries (26 VSA, SS5361a).

Who appoints Vermont’s notaries public?

The Office of Professional Regulation (Secretary of State) manages the commissioning process of new and renewing notaries public. It also maintains an electronic database of all active and inactive notaries public. Contact the Vermont Secretary of state:

Vermont Secretary of State

Office of Professional Regulation

89 Main Street, 3rd floor

Montpelier VT 05620-3402

(802) 828-1505

What do I need to buy a Vermont notary stamp?

Yes. Yes. Any combination of printing and official stamp is acceptable, provided that the notary public’s full legal names, jurisdiction and commission number are attached to the record. The following must be included in the official stamp of a notary publicly: 26 VSA SS5369

  1. Name of the notary public
  2. Jurisdiction
  3. Additional information requested by the Secretary

It must be possible to copy the stamp together with the record it is attached or logically associated with.

The Vermont Secretary of State also recommends that a notary public print or type the following to a notarized document:

  1. Signature (made simultaneously with the performance of the notarial acts).
  2. The date of the notarial acts.
  3. The title of notary public.
  4. The expiration date for the notary public’s office.
  5. The notary public’s commission number (or “credential number”) is located on the notary public’s commission.

The security of the notary public’s stamping device is the responsibility of the notary public. They must ensure that the device is not allowed to be used by another person to perform notarial acts. The notary public must immediately notify the Office of Professional Regulation if the stamping device of a notary public is lost, stolen, or lent to another person (26 VSA S5370). For more information visit https://publicnotary.services/

Is it necessary to keep a notary book in Vermont?

No. No. The American Association of Notaries suggests that Vermont notaries public (1) keep a record of all their notarial acts in a notary journal. This is to help them recall past acts in case they are challenged. (2) Keep a permanent, bound journal with numbered pages. This will allow them to preserve a chronological record of each notarial act. (3) Not to surrender their journals or records to any other notary public. (4) Keep their journals for seven year after their last commission expires. Clear and concise documentation in their notarial journals will help protect notaries public. Contact the American Association of Notaries for Vermont supplies by visiting https://publicnotary.services/

What is the maximum amount a Vermont notary can charge for notarial acts?

The maximum fees a notary public can charge for notarial services is not set by the state statute.

What notarial acts is a Vermont notary public allowed to perform?

The following acts can be performed by a Vermont notary public, regardless of whether they are related to an electronic or tangible record:

1. Taking an acknowledgment

2. Administering an oath and affirmation

3. Take a verification under oath/affirmation

4. Attestation of a signature

5. Note a protest against a negotiable Instrument

6. Taking a deposition (VRCP 28a)

7.  Issuing a subpoena. (VRCP 45a).

How can I change my Vermont address for my notary commission?

Vermont’s notary public can make changes online to his or her email address, name and address with the Office of Professional Regulation.Online Services System. Email is the primary method of communication between the Office of Professional Regulation and a commissioned notary public. Notaries public must ensure that their email addresses are up-to-date. If a Vermont resident notary public has to follow these procedures, if he/she has any changes in employment or practice during the term of their notary commission.

What do I need to do to update my Vermont notary commission?

Logging into an online account by a notary public is required. Click “update profile” to upload (1) a copy of a acceptable name change document (marriage decree or other court documents supporting the change of name) and (2) a revised Oath of Office/Affirmation with the notary’s legal name and signature for the update license/application/option option.

Where To Work As a Notary in Vermont

You can work in many settings as a public notary in Vermont. Whether you decide to work for a law firm, real estate agency or a government job, there are many options available. You can also work for yourself as a mobile notary.

Where To Find Clients in Vermont

We work with notaries all over Vermont to help them find more business and make more money. If you would like to join our notary network, contact us today for more information. We work with notaries in all cities including:

  1. Burlington
  2. South Burlington
  3. Rutland
  4. Essex Junction
  5. Bennington
  6. Barre
  7. Winooski
  8. Montpelier
  9. Middlebury
  10. St. Albans
  11. Brattleboro
  12. St. Johnsbury
  13. Newport
  14. Springfield
  15. Bellows Falls
  16. West Brattleboro
  17. Vergennes
  18. Milton
  19. Swanton
  20. Fair Haven