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A notary public is a person who has been appointed by the state to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents.
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Introduction
A notary public is a public officer who is authorized by the state to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. In South Carolina, the Secretary of State’s office is responsible for commissioning notaries public. The requirements to become a notary public in South Carolina are as follows:
-Be at least 18 years old
-Be a resident of South Carolina or a resident of another state who is employed in South Carolina
-Have no felony convictions
-Have no convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude
-Pass a written examination administered by the Secretary of State’s office
-Submit an application to the Secretary of State’s office
-Pay a $50 filing fee
What is a notary and what do they do?
A notary is a public officer who is authorized by the state to witness the signing of documents and administer oaths. Notaries are also responsible for deterring fraud by making sure that all parties to a transaction are who they say they are and that they understand the nature of the document they are signing.
To become a notary in South Carolina, you must:
-Be at least 18 years old
-Be a resident of South Carolina or have a business in the state
-Complete a notary education course approved by the state
-Submit an application to the Secretary of State’s office
-Pass a background check
-Take an oath of office
-Pay a $40 filing fee
As a notary, you will be required to maintain a record book (or “journal”) of all Notarial Acts performed. This journal must be legible, contain original signatures, and be kept in a safe place.
The requirements to become a notary in South Carolina
In order to become a notary in South Carolina, you must:
-Be at least 18 years old
-Reside in South Carolina or be employed in South Carolina
-Be able to read and write English
-Not have been convicted of a felony
You must also submit the following to the Secretary of State:
-An application
-A surety bond in the amount of $7,500
-A processing fee of $40
Once you have been appointed, you will need to purchase a notary seal and register it with the county clerk of court. You will also need to keep a journal of your notarial acts.
How to become a notary in South Carolina
In order to become a notary in South Carolina, you must:
1. Be at least 18 years of age.
2. Be a resident of South Carolina or a bordering state.
3. Not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
4. Complete an approved Notary Public education course consisting of at least three hours of classroom instruction or its equivalent in an online setting.
5. Pass the Notary Public Exam with a score of 80% or higher.
6. Submit a Notary Public Application to the SC Secretary of State’s Office along with the application fee and evidence of successful completion of the required education course.
7. Upon approval, take the Oath of Office and post a $10,000 Notary Public Surety Bond with the SC Secretary of State’s Office.
8. Purchase and maintain a $10,000 errors and omissions insurance policy throughout your four-year commission period.
The benefits of becoming a notary in South Carolina
There are many benefits to becoming a notary in South Carolina. As a notary, you will have the ability to:
-Administer oaths and affirmations
-Take depositions
-Take acknowledgments of deeds, powers of attorney, and other documents
-Serve as a witness for the signing of documents
-Certify copy documents
As a notary, you will be able to provide valuable services to your community. In addition, becoming a notary can be a great way to enhance your professional resume and earn extra income.
