Duties of a Notary Public


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  1. YOU HAVE 15 DAYS TO PERSONALLY HAND CARRY YOUR NOTARY COMMISSION TO THE COUNTY CLERK OF COURT AND REGISTER YOUR COMMISSION. BE PREPARED TO PRODUCE A VALID PICTURE IDENTIFICATION WITH YOUR SIGNATURE WHEN RECORDING YOUR COMMISSION. RECORDING FEE IS $5.00. THE CLERK OF COURT IS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE WHERE YOU LIVE. CONTACT YOUR COUNTY CLERK OF COURT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THIS MATTER.
     

  2. Each Notary Public shall have a seal of office and expiration date, which shall be affixed to his/her instruments of publications; however, the absence of such seal or date shall not render his/her acts invalid if his/her official title is affixed. (If notarized documents are to be filed in another state or used in another Country the Notary Seal is strongly recommended. Many states are reluctant to accept documents that do not bear a Notary Seal).
     

  3. Each Notary Public has the power to: administer oaths; take depositions and affidavits; take protests for non-payment of bonds, notes, drafts and bills of exchange; take acknowledgements and proofs of deeds and other instruments required by law to be acknowledged; perform all other acts provided by law.
     

  4. A notary public cannot certify copies.
     

  5. Pursuant to the South Carolina Code of Law, Each Notary Public shall charge the following fees:

    25 cents per copy sheet for taking depositions and swearing witnesses
    10 cents for each copy containing up to 100 words for duplicating depositions, protests, and certificates
    50 cents for each attendance upon any person for proving a matter or thing and certifying the same
    50 cents for every notorial certificate with seal
    25 cents for each administration of oath for affidavits
    50 cents plus postage for transmitting notice of a protest
    1 dollar for taking a renunciation of dower or inheritance
     

  6. Each Notary Public commission shall last 10 years.
     

  7. Each Notary Public whose name is legally changed during his/her term in office shall file a name change application with Secretary of State. Upon payment of the required fee of ten dollars, a new Commission shall be issued.
     

  8. The jurisdiction of each Notary Public shall extend throughout the state.
     

  9. A Notary Public may not notarize his/her own signature.
     

  10. Notary Seal and Stamp can be purchased from most office supply stores.
     

  11. A Notary Public may perform a Marriage Ceremony.
     

  12. Personal appearance by signer before the Notary Public is required.
     

  13. The S. C. Code Governing Notaries web address is : www.lpitr.state.sc.us/code/titl26.htm
     

To read the statute pertaining to Notaries, follow the link below:

Notaries Statute

 

 

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Postal Address
P.O. Box 11350
Columbia, SC  29211
Physical Address
Edgar Brown Building
1205 Pendleton Street Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201

 

PLEASE NOTE:  The information on this page is a brief synopsis and should not be construed as the governing   statute.  The information contained in this site is considered accurate at the time of publication. We try to update this site frequently but the information contained herein is subject to change or modification. If you have further questions, you may wish to consult the person given as the contact for the respective divisions. The information contained in this site is not a substitute for legal counsel. You may need to contact a private attorney if you need legal advice or assistance. If you discover any errors in this site, please let us know by e-mailing our  webmaster.