The Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) under the Vermont Secretary of State's Office is responsible for overseeing the commissioning, conduct, and discipline of notaries public in Vermont. They handle the application process and ensure compliance with state laws.
Vermont notaries are permitted to notarize documents related to real estate transactions as long as they do not have a personal or financial interest in the transaction. This ensures the notary's impartiality and prevents conflicts of interest.
Under Vermont law, the maximum fee a notary public may charge for performing a notarial act is $5. Notaries are allowed to charge less or even perform services for free, but they cannot exceed this amount.
allows electronic notarization (eNotarization) as long as the notary follows specific requirements. This includes using an approved electronic platform and ensuring that the necessary steps are taken to verify the identity of the signer electronically. The Vermont law requires compliance with standards to ensure security and authenticity
In Vermont, while a notary public can notarize wills, there are special conditions and legal complexities surrounding the notarization of wills. Typically, a will needs to be executed in the presence of two witnesses, and notaries must ensure all legal requirements are met. Notarizing a will improperly could render it invalid, so it's crucial for notaries to understand these special conditions or advise the signer to seek legal counsel.
