Chat groups, forums and videos might not always have information you can rely on.

Group mentality may not have your back.

New notaries public often feel a little intimidated when they start their actual notary work, even if they completed all the required education and received a good score on the state exam. And while social media has become a great outlet to network and ask questions, sometimes you just can’t rely on the correctness of the information you find out there on the internet. Honest mistakes and lessons learned are part of one’s career growth. But beware of misleading information or so called shortcuts that claim to save a notary time during their signing appointments. Every state has their own regulations when it comes to notaries public, and yet many of the forums and group chats out there reference rules in an attempt for nationwide scope . But a notary rule in the state California may not exist in the state of Texas. So how can notaries public in these very different states chime in with their “advice” on how to perform the very specific functions of a notary public within the state they are commissioned in? The details will be in the discourse on these platforms and hopefully the commentators are honestly stating the state in which they operate. Specific questions related to notarization on particular documents are the most common questions I come across. Also be aware of answers posted from a so-called “expert” that is also trying to push their business on the platform. Are these commenters including links to their “pay-to-play” signing service? Or is the advice actually consistent with the standards that the notary public has gained through legitimate education? Genuine responses should not blur the lines of advice and advertisement.

Business associations are a better bet for feedback on best practices.

There are only a few giants of the notary industry that include the National Notary Association, American Association of Notaries and the American Society of Notaries. These business associations are one stop shops for notary education, engagement, supplies and so much more. They also do their fair share of memberships for greater market access, newsletters and seminars. In fact, most new notaries may think that these businesses are the only gigs in town when it comes to notary training and certification, which is not the case. But these companies are very successful in supporting notaries all over the country with all sorts of interactions including helpful articles and knowledgeable customer service reps. The highly interactive professional websites for these associations contain accurate & supportive information for almost any issue a notary public may come across. Memberships in these associations do have a significant cost, especially when a notary is just starting out. But overall, an association membership is a valuable resource to notary professionals because of the services provided for guidance and quality supplies. In addition, there are often discounts available at partnering companies such as office supplies, rental cars, travel services and more. When considering purchasing a membership, be sure to check which best suits the needs of your particular business. Do you need super premium supplies and high value insurance bonds as required by your workplace? Or do you need to ease in with the basics with the option to build on to a broader membership as your business starts to take off? Do your homework to examine how any of these business memberships can benefit your career.

Who’s your best source of advice?

The department who commissioned you. If you are looking for the best answer to any notarial dilemma, you really don’t have to look any further than the state department that granted your commission. Especially in California, our Notary Public handbook should be your guide for all functions of this critical job. And although the California Secretary of State’s website may not be as flashy as those signing services or training course sites that market to notaries, the information contained on the site is up to date and provides features to contact a representative at the SOS in the case you cannot find the answer to a particular issue. Those big associations I mentioned earlier have nationwide coverage, but as you know, notary practice varies from state to state. If you want the best advice, put your trust in the word from the California Secretary of State Notary Public section. Not to mention, they are the enforcement agency when it comes to any notary misconduct. If a member of the public calls in a complaint to the California Secretary of State, there will be an investigation and an auditing of the notary’s records. When the Secretary of State asks for multiple samples of your notarial journal entries, they will be examining the contents for confirmation of the required details for each notarial act – not any kind of short cuts that others may advertise. If you are a strict follower of your state’s notarial guidelines, your notary career should be smooth sailing.