1-5-620. Examination and education of notary public -- fee. (1) An applicant for a new or renewed commission as a notary public in this state shall pass an examination administered by the secretary of state or by an entity approved by the secretary of state. The examination must be based on the course of study described in subsection (2).
(2) The secretary of state or an entity approved by the secretary of state shall offer regularly a course of study to applicants for a new or renewed commission. The course must cover the laws, rules, procedures, and ethics relevant to notarial acts.
(3) On and after July 1, 2020, in addition to passing the examination:
(a) for a new commission, the applicant must have completed within the previous 12 months at least 4 hours of notary public education approved by the secretary of state or by the commission of continuing legal education;
(b) to renew a commission, an applicant must have completed:
(i) within the previous 12 months, at least 4 hours of notary public continuing education approved by the secretary of state or by the commission of continuing legal education; or
(ii) in each of the previous 3 years, at least 2 hours of notary public continuing education approved by the secretary of state or by the commission of continuing legal education.
(4) The secretary of state shall collect fees commensurate with the cost incurred by the secretary of state's office for providing notary public education and examination.
History: En. Sec. 17, Ch. 391, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 123, L. 2019.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Title 1. General Laws and Definitions
Chapter 5. Proof and Acknowledgment of Instruments Notaries Public
1-5-604. Notarial acts in this state -- authority to perform notarial act
1-5-605. Notarial act in another state -- reciprocity -- notary public authority
1-5-606. Notarial acts under authority of federally recognized Indian tribes
1-5-607. Notarial acts under federal authority
1-5-608. Foreign notarial acts
1-5-609. Certificate of notarial acts
1-5-611. Uniformity of application and construction
1-5-612. through 1-5-614 reserved
1-5-615. Notarial act regarding electronic record -- selection of system -- notification -- training
1-5-616. Official signature and stamp
1-5-618. Audiovisual recordings -- notary public journal -- security and retention
1-5-619. Notary public qualifications -- commission -- renewals
1-5-620. Examination and education of notary public -- fee
1-5-622. Authority and requirements to refuse to perform notarial act
1-5-623. Signature if principal unable to sign
1-5-624. Validity of notarial acts
1-5-625. Prohibited acts -- advertising requirements
1-5-626. Fees for notarial acts -- collection of fees
1-5-627. Database of notaries public
1-5-629. Authority and venue for notarial acts
1-5-630. Solemnization of marriage authorized
1-5-631. Evidence of authenticity of notarial act for record sent to foreign country