A newly commissioned Maine notary public must take the Oath of Office within 30 days of the date on the certificate of qualification. This is a critical step in validating their notarial commission.
The Oath of Office must be taken before the county commissioners or their designee in the county where the notary resides. This step officially qualifies the notary to perform their duties.
If the Oath of Office is not taken within 30 days of the date on the certificate of qualification, the commission is automatically revoked. The notary would then need to reapply for a new commission.
The purpose of the Oath of Office is for the notary to swear or affirm that they will faithfully perform the duties of the office in accordance with the laws of Maine. This oath is a formal declaration of the notary’s commitment to uphold the responsibilities of the office.
