California notaries. This is on you.
AB 1597, the California Notary Fee Modernization Bill, is moving through the Legislature right now and we are short on letters of support. Not because the cause is weak. Because too many notaries are silent when silence is the one thing we cannot afford.
Here is what is at stake.
Notary fees in California have not kept pace with the cost of serving the public. When fees stay frozen and costs rise, experienced notaries leave. Rural communities lose access. Underserved populations lose protection. And the profession you worked to earn erodes from the inside while you watch.
1,500 letters of support are needed. Submit yours today.
You do not have to be a California notary. You do not have to be a notary at all. If you have ever used a notary, if you value consumer protection, if you believe essential services should remain accessible to every community, you have a voice in this and you need to use it.
The letter is pre-written. Two minutes of your time.
👉 https://www.calnotaries.org/action-center
Copy this post. Share it on every platform you have. Send it to colleagues, clients, family, and friends. The notaries who stay silent on this are choosing comfort over profession. Do not be that notary.
The window is open right now. Submit and share today.
As a dedicated notary here in California, I often find myself at my desk, organizing documents and preparing my notary stamp, thinking about the vital role we play in our communities. But lately, there's been a growing concern among us, one that directly impacts our ability to serve you effectively: the state of our notary fees. That's why AB 1597, the California Notary Fee Modernization Bill, isn't just another piece of legislation – it's a lifeline for our profession and a matter of consumer protection. For decades, California's notary fees have remained largely static, frozen in time while the cost of living, operating a business, and maintaining professional standards has soared. Imagine trying to run any business today with pricing from the 1990s! This isn't just an inconvenience; it forces experienced and dedicated notaries, who've invested in their craft and built valuable expertise, to consider leaving the profession entirely. When good notaries step away, it means less accessibility and potentially a decline in the quality of service for everyone. I've personally seen colleagues struggle to justify the time and expense involved, especially when factoring in travel for mobile notarizations to help clients who can't easily leave home. What's truly at stake if AB 1597 doesn't pass? Beyond individual notaries struggling, it's about the erosion of an essential public service. Rural communities and underserved populations are hit hardest. If a notary can't afford to travel to a remote area for a crucial document, who will? These communities might face higher travel fees or simply have no access at all, making it incredibly difficult to finalize home purchases, medical directives, or legal affidavits. Protecting consumers means ensuring they have readily available, affordable access to qualified notaries, not just in bustling city centers but across the entire state. The image of our California Capitol building reminds us that decisions made there have real-world impacts on every Californian. This bill isn't asking for exorbitant fees; it's asking for a realistic adjustment to ensure sustainability. It’s about creating a mechanism for fees to keep pace with economic realities, allowing notaries to continue investing in education, technology, and their businesses. This, in turn, guarantees a higher level of professionalism and service for you, the public. With over 135,000 notaries in California, our collective voice is incredibly powerful. Supporting AB 1597 is a crucial step towards safeguarding the integrity and accessibility of notary services for years to come. It’s a small action with a massive impact on consumer protection and the future of our profession.
