New Laws Affecting California Notary Publics:
Chapter 269 (AB 75 Hill)
- Subscribing Witness
This act adds power of attorney to other documents that cannot be authenticated by a subscribing witness. It also prohibits the use of a subscribing witness for any documents requiring a notary public to obtain a thumbprint from the principal in the notary public journal.
- Protest
This act specifies that only a notary public employed by and acting on behalf of a financial institution can perform a protest.
- Secretary of State Authority
This act gives the Secretary of State the right to refuse a request to perform a service or filing submitted for unlawful, false or fraudulent purposes.
This act also affects Business Entities and Special Filings & Trademarks and Service Marks.
For current information for California follow this link: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/
California Notary Handbook