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2005 Maine Code - §82 — Appointment of notaries public; renewal of commissions; disciplinary action


    The Secretary of State may appoint and renew commissions of all notaries public. [1981, c. 456, Pt. A, § 15 (rpr).]

    Notaries public shall serve terms of 7 years and exercise their power and duties in any county. Only adult residents of this State may be appointed to the offices. [1981, c. 456, Pt. A, § 15 (rpr).]

    The Secretary of State shall adopt rules relating to the appointment and renewal of commissions of notaries public. The rules must include criteria and a procedure to be applied by the Secretary of State in appointment and renewal. The Secretary of State may not refuse to appoint or renew solely because the applicant lives or works in a specific geographic area or because of political party affiliation. [1991, c. 465, §6 (amd).]

    The Secretary of State shall provide written notice of the expiration of their commission to notaries public 30 days prior to the expiration date. Failure to receive a notice does not affect the expiration date of a commission. [1981, c. 456, Pt. A, § 15 (rpr).]

    The Secretary of State shall investigate or cause to be investigated all complaints concerning improper or illegal notarial acts performed by notaries public made on the Secretary of State's own motion or on written complaint filed with the department. [1997, c. 712, §3 (new).]

    The Secretary of State may conduct hearings to assist with investigations and to determine whether grounds exist for denial of commission, suspension of commission, revocation of commission, renewal of commission or other action necessary to the fulfillment of the Secretary of State's responsibility under the laws of this State. [1997, c. 712, §3 (new).]


Section History:

PL 1975,  Ch. 87,   §2 (RPR).
PL 1975,  Ch. 771,   §31-A (RPR).
PL 1979,  Ch. 541,   §A19 (AMD).
PL 1981,  Ch. 456,   §A15 (RPR).
PL 1987,  Ch. 736,   §5 (AMD).
PL 1991,  Ch. 465,   §6,7 (AMD).
PL 1997,  Ch. 712,   §3 (AMD).
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