To the Editor:
I am the President of the New Jersey Notary Association. A colleague sent me the link to: County Clerk Hosted N.J. Automated Notary System Meeting.
I was shocked and disappointed by the article. The article did not address how this was helping N.J. Notaries Public. Are you aware that N.J. Notaries Public are trusted Public Officers who affect the interest of the many individuals who seek the services of a Notary Public? Or how these individuals as well as the notary can suffer substantial loss if the notary is carless in the performance of their duties?
N.J. Notaries Public have no statute for education to follow, let alone guidance for identification. The N.J. Notary Manual does not address “venue.” Some notaries believe the “SS” on many certificates means they are to place their ‘Social Security” number there. When in fact it is Latin for “Scilicet” which means “venue.”
N.J. Notaries Public are operating under the 1979 statutes. It is obvious that they are outdated. Our representatives are too busy to address the need to change in the statute. I personally have requested additions to the statute for education, use of a mechanical stamp, journal and strict guidance for identification. When I teach, I stress the “Oath of Office” for “journaling.” When I visited the many offices pleading my case, our representatives were open by always adding, “You, (me) get the supporter to move and I will support the bills.” The racetracks, dogs, tattoos, etc. were more important. When I asked why, they bring in “revenue.”
Our citizens depend on the notary to do their job correctly. Without guidance, anything can happen. I have seen incorrect notarials that have made it through the system. Some of our state offices request clients bring in a notarized statement for particular services. They do not provide a form or advise what type of notarial certificate to use, Jurat/Affirmation, Acknowledgement or Affidavit. Yet there are N.J. notaries that will just sign and stamp a piece of paper without notarial wording. This is unacceptable; there must be notarial wording and venue.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?