The
Notary Public Section of the Secretary of State investigates violations of law surrounding the
duties of a notary public and, if warranted, seeks appropriate
disciplinary action. The Secretary of State's office cannot represent you in either a civil
or a criminal matter. Additionally, the administrative law proceedings
initiated by this office will have no direct effect upon your rights
under civil or criminal law.
You may file a complaint against a notary public by completing a Complaint Form
(pdf ~ 11KB), and sending the completed Complaint Form, along with
certified copies of the document(s) you are referring to in the
complaint. If there is a violation of notary public law that is
supported with clear and convincing evidence, this office may proceed
with disciplinary action against the commissioned notary public.
Fraud
or other criminal acts, such as forgery, embezzlement, or elder abuse,
etc., that may have been committed, are matters for local law
enforcement authorities or the district attorney's office in the county
where the alleged fraudulent or unlawful acts occurred.
If
you wish to obtain information regarding filing a claim with the
courts against a notary public surety bond, please contact the County
Clerk's office identified in the notary public's seal to obtain the
name of the bonding company.