HB22 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris BlackshearRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Notaries public, appointment of, residents of states bordering Alabama who carry on a business, profession, or regularly employed in AL., commissioned as notary public by judge of probate, authorized, Secs. 36-20-70, 36-20-71 am'd.

Summary

The bill would allow border-state residents who work or do business in Alabama to be commissioned as notaries public by the county judge of probate, expanding who can serve as notaries.

What This Bill Does

It changes the residency rule for notaries, letting people from states bordering Alabama who carry on a business or are regularly employed in Alabama become notaries. Commissions would be issued by the county judge of probate, with a four-year term and statewide authority. Each new commission would require a $10 fee paid to the probate judge, and a $25,000 bond payable to the State of Alabama; probate judges must report commission details to the Secretary of State. Existing notaries remain in effect under current rules, and the act becomes law a few months after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Residents of states bordering Alabama who carry on a business, profession, or are regularly employed in Alabama (they could be commissioned as notaries public).
• Alabama notaries public, probate judges, and the general public (the pool of available notaries could grow; probate judges handle commissions, fees, bonds, and reporting to the Secretary of State; existing notaries retain their authority under current terms).

Key Provisions

• Amends 36-20-70 and 36-20-71 to allow border-state residents who carry on a business, profession, or are regularly employed in Alabama to be commissioned as notaries public by the judge of probate of the county where they work.
• Sets terms and requirements: four-year commissions, statewide jurisdiction for notaries, $10 commission fee paid to the judge of probate, $25,000 bond payable to the State of Alabama, bond filed with the probate judge, and reporting to the Secretary of State; existing notaries remain under current authority; effective date: first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Notaries Public