Christmas Newsletter

Check out our Christmas newsletter at: http://www.notary.net/christmas_2009.html

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday!

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. We are thankful for you and your continued loyalty to GSN/Notary.net. We also wanted to let you know that we are celebrating Cyber Monday by offering FREE shipping on orders of $25* or more. Go to www.Notary.net to order your notary supplies.

*Not applicable to package items.

November Newsletter

We're Going Green

We have just unveiled our two economical and high quality "green" stamps. We now offer the Eco-Mark pre-inked (flash) stamp and the Trodat EcoPrinty self-inking (rubber) stamp. In addition to offering these new "green" stamps, we also manufacture our own stamps and embossers. We use the latest in laser technology to make the most precise stamps and embossers available. Not only does this increase our quality, but it also reduces turnaround time. Most stamps ordered prior to 12pm Pacific (3pm Eastern) will be sent out same day. We can also do overnight rush orders. EcoMark The EcoMark stamp can be best compared to the iStamp pre-inked stamp, however, it has the look and feel of a traditional self-inking stamp. It is manufactured using a low energy process that leaves little to no waste. It is delivered in a box made from recycled materials and printed with soy based ink. The EcoMark was designed so you never have to throw it away. When it is time to get a new stamp, you just replace the die box instead of replacing the entire unit. The EcoMark stamp is good for tens of thousands of impressions without reinking. If it does need to be reinked, it uses the iStamp waterproof oil-based ink. This is by far the highest quality stamp we make. EcoPrinty The EcoPrinty stamp is manufactured from 75% POST-CONSUMER material (excluding transparent parts, pad and die plate). The carton is made from 100% RECYCLED material. The EcoPrinty is comparable to the popular Ideal model stamps. It uses water-based ink for minimal bleed-through. Our supply packages include the EcoMark, but you can substitute an EcoPrinty simply by calling us at (888) 263-1977. Order Now

State-Approved Pennsylvania Online Video Course

We are now approved to offer the Pennsylvania State-Approved 3 hour notary course to all new Pennsylvania notary applicants. We are the first company to offer streaming video notary courses to Pennsylvania notaries. The best part is we do not charge extra for this superior product. Don't take our word for it though. Watch our free preview

PayPal

We now offer a safer and more secure way to pay for our California customers. PayPal allows members to send money without sharing financial information, with the flexibility to pay using their account balances, bank accounts, credit cards or promotional financing. With many people tightening their financing and saying "goodbye" to their credit cards, this is a great way to order with Golden State Notary. We will soon have PayPal available nationwide.

Trivia Question

You are given a document from your close neighbor. It is in his father's name. He says, no problem, I have a Power of Attorney from my father saying that I can sign for him. You inspect the Power of Attorney and it is current and applies to the document he is having notarized. You ask him how his dad is doing. He tells you that his father passed away two days ago. What do you do? a) Notarize the document and make a copy of the ORIGINAL Power of Attorney for your records. b) Refuse to notarize since the principal is deceased. c) Notarize the document as long as he writes his name as Attorney In Fact for his father. d) Refuse to notarize since you must have a personal appearance by the person named in the document. The correct answer is B. You cannot allow the attorney in fact to use a power of attorney for a deceased principal. When the principal "expires" so does the power of attorney. How do you know? You ask the attorney in fact how the principal is doing. If they say they passed away, then you cannot notarize. What if they lie? You cannot eliminate all fraud but you can at least avoid honest mistakes. It is always best to trust your gut. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Refer them to a "more competent" notary.

Bail Me Out Please

I'm proud to tell you that I'm being locked up...that's right, I'm going behind bars to help Jerry's Kids© and MDA. To be released on good behavior I have to raise bail and I need your help!

All you have to do is click here to make a secure, online donation before 08/26/09. Your donation will help families living in our community and help guarantee me an early release. I can't wait to add you to my list of contributors.

Thanks in advance for your help. Don't hesitate to call or email me with any questions.

Together we'll make a difference,

Andy



P.S. I'm counting on you, click here to donate.

If the link above does not work, please cut and paste the address below into the address bar of your Internet browser.

https://www.joinmda.org/franklinstars2009/andy/

Happy 4th of July!

Amidst the cookouts, watermelon, family, friends and fireworks, take the time to remember where we came from and where we are going as a country. America is still the greatest country on Earth. Despite the recession, politics, unstable world events, we still are blessed to be here. We are blessed to live here and blessed to be able to serve our members.

New Laws Share Common Theme

Illinois, Colorado and Montana each have passed laws regarding notary records effective June, July and October respectively. For many years we have taught you that the notary journal is your best friend if you are ever called to court. It is 100% proof positive that the constituent appeared before you for notary service. As was the case in a recent Illinois court case, the notary could have saved $30,000 had he properly maintained the journal and followed sound notary practices.

Our journals have been flying off the shelves. In fact, we are nearly completely out. Our next shipment is scheduled to be here on July 7. We are offering our high quality journals for 1/2 price through July 7. Stock up now and save yourself from a potential lawsuit later.

Order Notary Journals

Join us on Facebook

We now have a Facebook page! Become a fan and get access to exclusive content and deals you will not be able to find anywhere else. Facebook is a great way to connect with friends and colleagues around the world and will also allow you to stay up to date with notary law changes and special offers.

Trivia Question

Which of the following is true? A. Every notary in the country is required to keep accurate notary records B. If a notary does not keep written records and signs and seals a document, the notary could be called to court and be required to testify about the details of a disputed transaction. C. If the notary does not keep records if required by the state the notary could be held liable for damages in a civil court. D. Both B and C are correct. The correct answer is D. The states that do not require a journal still recommend that notaries maintain a record of all notarial events.

Join us on Facebook

Social networking sites such as Facebook are a great way to connect with friends, family and colleagues. We have recently launched a new "fan page" for all notaries public across the nation. Our Facebook "fans" will have access to exclusive deals and notary updates not available anywhere else. Not a member of Facebook? Click on the Facebook logo and sign up today.

We take pride in keeping up with technology to better serve our students. If you have any suggestions or comments, you can click on the "Discussions" tab on our Facebook fan page.

Lawsuit Helps Shape Illinois Law

Effective June 1, 2009, new notary laws have taken effect in Illinois. These new laws affect identification requirements and real estate logging requirements for Cook County. We have incorporated the new laws with the old laws in our updated Illinois Online Video Course. The new course includes the new Cook County notary record form.

The lawsuit that was the catalyst for this new legislation involved a FedEx/Kinkos location where the employee notary notarized a document without all signers present. The EMPLOYER was held liable for the damages due to "negligent training and supervision." Had the FedEx/Kinkos employee taken our Illinois Notary Course, he would have fully understood his and his employer's liabilities and how to avoid such a costly lawsuit.

The case involves improper training, improper identification, no personal appearance, not securing the notary stamp, not securing the notary journal and improper supervision of an employee notary. The lawsuit states that the notary “had a number of problems that he didn’t realize [he had].� We cannot emphasize enough that every notary should go through our training program. Ignorance of the law is not a good enough defense. In this case, the notary settled for $30,000. The FedEx/Kinkos store was ruled liable for over $123,000 in damages plus legal fees. That is much more expensive than one of our online video courses.

Notaries and Employer's of notaries: Do not let this happen to you and/or your employees. Do your due diligence and have your notaries take our course. Whether you are in Illinois or any other state that does not require education, it is imperitive that you and/or your employee notaries know what they are doing and to stay out of trouble. See our notary training options.

For the full text of the Illinios Law Suit: http://www.state.il.us/court/OPINIONS/AppellateCourt/2008/1stDistrict/December/1062750.pdf

New Laws in Illinois

As is often the case, legislation follows a problem. A recent lawsuit in Illinois has helped to spearhead some changes in notary law. We have made it easy for you and/or your employees to learn the new Illinois Notary Laws and to help protect your (and/or your company's) assets. Check out the free preview before you order the course.

California 3 Hour Renewing Course Now Online

It's hard to believe that mandatory education has been in California for 4 years already. The laws have changed a bit from 2005. Now, the only significant difference between new and renewing notaries is 3 hours. Renewing notaries who have a commission expiration date of June 30, 2009 or later, are eligible for the 3 hour course in lieu of the 6 hour course. The only catch is you must take and PASS the notary exam before your commission expires to still be considered a renewing notary. If you wait to the last minute and fail your exam, you have to take the 6 hour course again! We try to teach people to RENEW EARLY, RENEW EARLY, RENEW EARLY. There is no penalty for early renewal, but waiting can be big penalties, such as a lapse in your commission.

Wisconsin Notary Section Has A Sense of Humor!

I came across Wisconsin's top 10 reasons an application is rejected and was surprised to find out they have a sense of humor. See for yourself: http://www.sos.state.wi.us/pdf/notary_top_ten_list.pdf

One of my favorites was the one about the check disintegrating going through the postal system. Do you think that excuse will work for the IRS?