Section 1926 - Prohibited acts1.Acts not authorized. A notary public commission does not authorize an individual to:A. Assist persons in drafting legal records, give legal advice or otherwise practice law; [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]B. Act as an immigration consultant or an expert on immigration matters; [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]C. Represent a person in a judicial or administrative proceeding relating to immigration to the United States, United States citizenship or related matters; or [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]D. Receive compensation for performing any of the activities listed in this subsection. [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).] [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]
2.False or deceptive advertising prohibited. A notary public may not engage in false or deceptive advertising. [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]
3.Restricted titles. A notary public who is not an attorney licensed to practice law in this State may not use the title "notario" or "notario publico." [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]
4.Advertising requirements. A notary public who is not an attorney licensed to practice law in this State may not advertise or represent that the notary public may assist persons in drafting legal records, give legal advice or otherwise practice law. If a notary public who is not an attorney licensed to practice law in this State in any manner advertises or represents that the notary public offers notarial services, whether orally or in a record, including broadcast media, print media and the Internet, the notary public shall include the following statement, or an alternate statement authorized or required by the Secretary of State, in the advertisement or representation, prominently and in each language used in the advertisement or representation: "I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in this State. I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities." If the form of advertisement or representation is not broadcast media, print media or the Internet and does not permit inclusion of the statement required by this subsection because of size, the statement must be displayed prominently or provided at the place of performance of the notarial act before the notarial act is performed. [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]
5.Access to original records. Except as otherwise allowed by law, a notary public may not withhold access to or possession of an original record provided by a person who seeks performance of a notarial act by the notary public. [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]
6.Civil violation. Any violation of this section constitutes a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $5,000 may be adjudged. [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]
7.Civil action. In addition to any other remedy that may be available, a person who is aggrieved by a violation of this section may initiate a civil action in the Superior Court against the violator for injunctive relief or damages or both. If a court finds a violation of this section, the court may award to the person:A. An amount equal to actual damages sustained by the person as a result of the violation; [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]B. An amount equal to 3 times the actual damages; and [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]C. The costs of the action together with reasonable attorney's fees as determined by the court. [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).] [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]
8.Attorney General action. If the Attorney General has reason to believe that a person in the State has engaged in or is engaging in activities that violate this section, the Attorney General may initiate an action in the Superior Court to enforce this section. [2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4(NEW); 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8(AFF).]
Added by 2022, c. 651,§ A-4, eff. 7/1/2023.