From NNA: 4 Tips For Notaries Dealing With Natural Disasters

Click here to read the original article: Tips For FL Notaries Dealing With Natural Disasters.

Whether it’s fires, hurricanes, tornadoes or flooding, natural disasters can leave Notaries and their signers facing a slew of paperwork problems. Notaries might find themselves with lost or damaged tools. Signers may need documents urgently notarized but have lost their IDs along with their money and other personal possessions. Here are some tips to help prepare for a natural disaster and be ready to help signers in need.

1. Store Your Notary Tools Where They Won’t Get Lost Or Damaged

You’re going to have problems performing notarizations if your seal and journal are lost, destroyed or made unusable in a natural disaster. The best way to protect your tools is to store them in a secure area that won’t be affected by severe conditions in your area. Here are some suggestions:

If you live in a state with frequent tornado activity such as Kansas, Oklahoma, or Texas, it may be prudent to store your tools where you can reach them easily and they will be protected if you have to take shelter in a hurry. For example, if you use your basement or cellar as a shelter in the event of a tornado, you may want to consider storing your Notary tools there as well.

If you live in a region that experiences hurricanes or flooding, such as Florida, consider storing your tools in a high place where water is less likely to reach in the event of a flood, and avoid leaving your tools in your car or other locations vulnerable to water damage. You may want to consider purchasing a waterproof safe.

Conversely, if you live in an area where fires are common, such as some parts of California, a fireproof safe is a good place to store your seal, journal and other essential items you don’t want to lose in a disaster.

2. Follow Your State Laws When Replacing Lost And Destroyed Notary Seals

If your seal or journal are lost or damaged during a disaster, make sure you know the proper procedure for reporting and replacing your tools. California and Texas require Notaries to notify the Secretary of State by mail if a seal, or journal is lost or damaged. Florida also requires Notaries to notify the Department of State in writing if a seal is lost. California Notaries must request an authorization from the Secretary of State in order to replace a lost seal.

3. If Signers Have Lost Their IDs, Know The Alternatives To Identify Them

Following a disaster, many people have lost important possessions, and often this includes their ID, so you will need to find other options to identify them. Except for California, every state allows a signer to be identified by personal knowledge, so if you are sufficiently familiar with the signer — for example if the signer is a good friend or long-time co-worker — personal knowledge may be used to verify the signer’s identity.

Another option is using one or more credible identifying witnesses who can vouch for the signer’s identity if they lack other satisfactory identification. However, be aware that credible witness requirements are different in each state. Some states, such as Pennsylvania, require a credible witness to personally know both the Notary and the signer. Others, such as California and Florida, allow the use of two signers who do not know the Notary personally but do know the signer and present proof of their own ID (such as a driver’s license). Florida Notaries require a sworn written statement from credible witnesses swearing or affirming the signer’s identity, that the witness has no interest in the transaction and that the signer lacks other forms of ID.

Keep your state Notary handbook handy or check with the NNA’s State Law Summaries for guidance. The NNA Hotline also is available to help.

4. Remember You Don’t Have To Charge Full Price For Your Services

Another way you can assist signers in a natural disaster is reducing or waiving your fee. Victims of disasters often suffer significant financial losses, and require a great deal of notarized paperwork to file insurance claims, request aid and replace lost property. No state requires you to charge your maximum fee each time you notarize, and most permit you to waive your fee altogether if you choose to do so for a signer in need.

David Thun is an Associate Editor at the National Notary Association.