SB54 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Arthur Orr

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Notaries public, distinction between county and at large removed, Secs. 36-20-70 to 36-20-75, inclusive, added; Secs. 36-20-1 to 36-20-11, inclusive, 36-20-30 to 36-20-32, inclusive, repealed

Summary

SB54 unifies Alabama notaries by eliminating county vs. at-large distinctions and creating a statewide system under probate judges.

What This Bill Does

Creates a statewide system of notaries by removing the old county and at-large employment distinctions. Notaries will be appointed by judges of probate, serve four-year commissions, have statewide jurisdiction, and must post a $25,000 bond and use an official seal; they may administer oaths, take acknowledgments, protest negotiable instruments, and will receive $5 for each act. Existing notaries keep their current commissions until expiration, after which commissions are issued under the new statewide framework; the old county/state-at-large employment laws are repealed, a $10 commission fee is collected by probate judges, and details are reported to the Secretary of State; acting without a valid commission or after expiration is a Class C misdemeanor.

Who It Affects

• Notaries public – existing notaries continue under their current commissions until expiration and then transition to the statewide, probate-judge–appointed system; they must post a $25,000 bond, maintain a seal, and may perform listed notarial powers with a $5 per act fee.
• Probate judges and state-level administration (including counties and the Secretary of State) – probate judges appoint notaries, collect a $10 fee for each commission issued, and report commission details to the Secretary of State; the old county and state-at-large employment laws are repealed in favor of a statewide system.

Key Provisions

• Adds Article 4 (beginning with 36-20-70) to create a statewide notary system and eliminates the county vs. at-large distinction.
• Notaries are appointed by the judges of probate, serve four-year terms, and have statewide jurisdiction.
• Judges of probate collect a $10 fee for each commission and must report commission details to the Secretary of State.
• Notaries must post a $25,000 bond and have an official seal; notaries may administer oaths, take acknowledgments, protest negotiable instruments, and perform other powers.
• Notaries receive a $5 fee for carrying out enumerated powers; acting without a valid commission or after expiration is a Class C misdemeanor.
• The old articles relating to county employment of notaries and state-at-large employment of notaries are repealed.
• The act takes effect January 1, 2012.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Notaries Public