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Maryland Code, State Government § 18-224

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) A commission as notary public does not authorize an individual to:

(1) assist a person in drafting legal records, give legal advice, or otherwise practice law;

(2) act as an immigration consultant or an expert on immigration matters;

(3) represent a person in a judicial or administrative proceeding relating to immigration to the United States, United States citizenship, or related matters; or

(4) receive compensation for performing any of the activities listed in items (1) through (3) of this subsection.

(b) A notary public may not engage in false or deceptive advertising.

(c) A notary public may not use the term “notario” or “notario publico” unless the notary public is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State.

(d)(1) A notary public may not advertise or represent that the notary public may assist persons in drafting legal records, give legal advice, or otherwise practice law unless the notary public is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State.

(2)(i) If a notary public who is not an attorney licensed to practice law in the State in any manner advertises or represents that the notary public offers notarial services, whether orally or in a record, including broadcast media, print media, and the Internet, the notary public shall include the following statement, or an alternate statement authorized or required by the Secretary of State, in the advertisement or representation: ”I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in this State. I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities.”.

(ii) The statement required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall be included prominently and in each language used in the advertisement or representation.

(iii) If the form of advertisement or representation is not broadcast media, print media, or the Internet and does not allow inclusion of the statement required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph because of size, the statement shall be prominently displayed or provided at the place of performance of the notarial act before the notarial act is performed.

(e) Except as otherwise allowed by law, a notary public may not withhold access to or possession of an original record provided by a person that seeks performance of a notarial act by the notary public.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, State Government § 18-224 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/state-government/md-code-state-govt-sect-18-224/

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