New Mexico Statutes
Article 12A - Notary Public
Section 14-12A-3 - Qualifications. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

A notary public shall:
A. be a resident of New Mexico;
B. be at least eighteen years of age;
C. be able to read and write the English language;
D. not have pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or been convicted of a felony; and
E. not have had a notary public commission revoked during the past five years.
History: Laws 2003, ch. 286, § 3.
Delayed repeals. — Laws 2021, ch. 21, § 36 repeals 14-12A-3 NMSA 1978, effective January 1, 2022.
Effective dates. — Laws 2003, ch. 286, § 28 Laws 2003, ch. 286, § 3 effective July 1, 2003.
Cross references. — For right of women to hold office of notary public, see N.M. Const., art. XX, § 11.
No citizenship requirement. — There is no longer an express citizenship requirement in the New Mexico notary statutes, and any attempt to impose a citizenship requirement would be unconstitutional. 1989 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 89-16.
Residency. — There is no requirement that a person be a New Mexico resident for any particular time before qualifying as a notary public. 1989 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 89-16.
Residency criteria. — For the purpose of the notary statutes, residency constitutes the fact of an abode in New Mexico coupled with the intent of remaining in the state for at least an indefinite period of time. 1989 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 89-16.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 66 C.J.S. Notaries § 2.

Structure New Mexico Statutes

New Mexico Statutes

Chapter 14 - Records, Rules, Legal Notices, Oaths

Article 12A - Notary Public

Section 14-12A-1 - Short title. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-2 - Definitions. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-3 - Qualifications. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-4 - Application. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-5 - Appointment; term. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-6 - Reappointment. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-7 - Powers and prohibitions. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-8 - Refusal to notarize. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-9 - Surety bond and duties of surety. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-10 - Avoidance of influence. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-11 - False or incomplete certificate, authenticating documents in absence of principal. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-12 - Improper documents. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-13 - Intent to deceive. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-14 - Testimonials. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-15 - Unauthorized practice of law. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-16 - Fees. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-17 - Official signature. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-18 - Official seal or stamp. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-19 - Endorsing date of commission. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-20 - Change of name. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-21 - Change of address. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-22 - Certification. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-23 - Resignation. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-24 - Disposition of the seal and stamp. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-25 - Disqualified notary public exercising powers. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)

Section 14-12A-26 - Removal from office. (Repealed effective January 1, 2022.)