Notaries in Minnesota and “Notario” Fraud

When a person takes on the role of a notary, their job is to be an impartial witness and prevent fraud during the signing of important documents. When a document needs to be notarized, the notary should ask to see identification and then provide an official stamp on the document.

A notary is not acting as a witness to the facts of a document. They are witnessing the signing of the document and making sure that the person signing is the right person. 

A notary commission is good for 5 years and then has to be renewed.

You can find detailed  information on notaries and how to become a notary on the MN Secretary of state website. Go to https://www.sos.state.mn.us/ and click on the “Notary and Apostille” tab.

In Minnesota, a person who wants to be a notary, also called a “notary public,” has to be at least 18 years old and has to be a Minnesota resident. Residents of Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota may also apply to be a notary for Minnesota if they list the Minnesota county where they will file their notary registration. A notary does not have to be a US citizen but must be in the country legally. 

If they meet these requirements, they apply and pay an application fee. Minnesota does not require any special classes or training, but classes are available for anyone who wants to take them. Once the Office of the Secretary of State accepts the application, the person is a notary. The person must register as a notary with their county of residence. The notary has to buy their own official stamp and anything else they may need.

• Witness and verify the signing of important documents. When they do this the document has been “notarized”
• Administer oaths, like swearing in a newly elected official
• Notarize documents in the state of Minnesota

• Give you legal advice or counsel, represent you in court, or do anything else that only a trained, licensed lawyer should do
• Draft legally binding documents
• Charge you more than $5
• Notarize their own documents or their spouse’s documents
• Notarize outside of the state of Minnesota

Most banks offer notary services for free. Sometimes if you don’t have an account there, they may charge a small fee. Some UPS stores have notaries. It’s a good idea to call or check online first. 

You can search for a notary online. Go to https://www.sos.state.mn.us/ and click on the “Notary and Apostille” tab, then click on “Find a Notary.” You can filter by names or by your city or county.

A notary in the United States is NOT the same as a “notario” in many Hispanic countries. “Notarios Públicos” in Hispanic countries are trained, legal professionals that often give legal advice and draft legal documents. A notary or notary public in the United States can only act as the witness to a signature and usually doesn’t have formal legal training. 

Anyone claiming to be a “notario público” in the United States CANNOT help you with your legal problem, such as immigration or family matters.

It is against the law for “notarios” or even lawyers who are not licensed in the United States to provide immigration advice. Even just filling out forms should only be done by a lawyer or accredited representative that is licensed in the United States. 

• Do not visit a notario for legal advice.
• Notarios often target immigrant communities in need of immigration legal services. It is not legal for them to practice in the United States.
• If someone offers to help you with your legal claim, ask to see their bar card or bar license number. All lawyers practicing legally in Minnesota have these.
• Do not pay a notary more than $5 for notarizing a document. By law, $5 is the most a notary can charge. Many notaries do it for free. 
   

If you need legal help visit www.LawHelpMN.org or www.mnbar.org to find free or low cost legal help, or to get a referral to a private lawyer.

Yes. You can file a misconduct or fraud complaint against a notary public or notario online with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. 

Go to https://mn.gov/commerce/consumer/file-a-complaint/

• Click on “Notary"

If you have questions, email consumer.protection@state.mn.us or call: 651-539-1600 or 1-800-657-3602.