“I didn’t know” won’t hold up in court — or with the Secretary of State.

Being a notary isn’t just about knowing where to stamp and when to sign. It’s about following your state’s laws to the letter — every time, no exceptions.

Too many notaries operate in “national Facebook advice mode” and forget that what’s legal in Texas might be totally illegal in California, New York, or Florida.

And the scariest part? Not knowing your own state laws can cost you your commission — or worse.

⚠ 1. You Can Be Personally Liable for Mistakes
Notaries are personally responsible for everything they notarize.

That means if you:

Notarize without proper ID
Fail to use your journal correctly
Forget to administer an oath when required
Let someone sign outside your presence...
...you could be sued, fined, or have your commission revoked.

Ignorance isn’t an excuse. It’s a liability.

📜 2. Every State Has Unique Requirements
Some states require:

Journals (mandatory in CA, optional in others)
Thumbprints for certain documents
Verbal oaths on every jurat
Specific certificate wording
Paper vs. electronic distinctions
Witness requirements you may not be able to fulfill
If you’re copying what a Florida notary does in Nevada — or what someone online told you in a Facebook group — you might be committing a violation without even realizing it.

✅ Your first rule: Know your laws, not someone else’s.

👮 3. You Could Lose Your Commission (or Face Criminal Charges)
Yes, really.

Notaries have been:

Disciplined or fined by their Secretary of State
Named in lawsuits over real estate fraud or identity theft
Charged with crimes for notarizing improperly (including felonies in some states)
And most of them weren’t malicious — they were just uneducated.

Don't let that be you.

🛑 4. You Could Be Helping Someone Commit Fraud Without Knowing It
If you don’t know:

What ID is acceptable
When someone has to be present
What a notary is legally allowed to do (and NOT do)...
You might be the one who unintentionally notarizes for an impostor, forges someone’s rights away, or facilitates elder abuse — all because you didn’t know what your own lawbook says.

Let that sink in.

📚 5. Compliance Is What Protects You
Knowing your state laws:

Gives you confidence in every signing
Helps you avoid mistakes and legal issues
Builds trust with clients, title companies, and attorneys
Separates you from lazy or uninformed notaries
Compliance isn’t about paranoia — it’s about protection.

At Notary Academy, We Teach the Law the Right Way — Your Way
We don’t do cookie-cutter training. We tailor our approach to your state’s requirements, so you can be confident you’re always within the law — and above the competition. 

Because in this business, what you don’t know really can hurt you