2nd Quarter 2023
Notary Newsletter
New Notary Training Classes
As Montana’s seemingly unending winter finally appears to be melting into memory, the Secretary of State’s Office, Notary Division, is planning to offer live, in-person training courses around the state during the next few months.
The first of these classes will be Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Helena at the Best Wester Great Northern Hotel. “On Track to Success” is a four-hour class that fulfills the requirement for new and renewing notary applicants. Registration is open for this class, so register now since class size is limited.
In addition, we have been developing a network on approved training partners who will be offering more in-person classes. Dates, times, and locations will be posted on the 406 Notary Academy webpage as schedules are finalized.
The Notary Division has recently approved two new notary training classes to help Montana notaries increase their knowledge and notary skills. These courses are each approved for 2 hours of credit and are excellent options for renewing notaries who want to pair it with another 2-hour course, such as a RON course or signing agent training, to reach the 4-hour renewal education requirement. They are also great refresher courses for notaries who want to become more competent when providing a variety of notary services.
We’re delighted to announce that Laura Biewer and Matt Miller have collaborated to offer a series of live, interactive webinars for Montana notaries. Based on Laura’s “Real World Notarizing,” one of the most popular presentations from the 2022 Montana Notary Conference, “Notarology” emphasizes the practical side of notarial work: Learn to recognize notarial language and successfully complete correct notarial certificates, while avoiding common pitfalls.
The first course in the series will be presented twice: April 24, 2023, and June 26, 2023. Both sessions begin at 2 p.m. MDT and each class size is limited to 40 students, so make your reservations soon. Registration is now open for both sessions.
The National Notary Association just released the state specific online course, Montana Notary Skills Booster. This course provides an overall view of Montana notary law while emphasizing the critical, practical fundamentals of notary work. Since this course is an online presentation, it is available 24/7.
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Starting Your Notary Business
‘Tis the season… and along with the crocus and daffodils, new businesses are popping up all over the state. Montana notaries, like notaries throughout the country, are using their notary commissions as the foundation for establishing their own small businesses. If you are thinking of starting a notary business, or if you are just getting started, there are some practical things you will want to do to protect yourself and your business in a dynamic and competitive environment.
Take advantage of the resources available to new business owners. The Montana Small Business Development Center Network (sbdc.mt.gov) offers counseling and training in areas such as financial analysis, business planning, and market research that are crucial to a successful business. They will help you determine the business structure that will best fit your goals and answer all those questions about loans, licensing, and all the other critical details that you will need to know.
One of the most exciting and critical decisions you will make is choosing your business name and structure. Before investing in a name, logo, or trademark, you’ll need to make sure that no-one else in your market area is already using the same or similar name. You’ll also want to register your new business with the Montana Secretary of State’s office as well, to protect the identity of your notary business.
It’s an exciting time in the notary profession and Montana’s notary laws are among the most robust and visionary in the country, allowing Montana notary entrepreneurs to design, build and grow their own businesses to fit their personal styles and goals.
Opportunity to Serve
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Aging Services Division is seeking Montana notaries to volunteer in communities around the state at their Legal Documents Clinics. These clinics are part of the Legal Services Developer Program that provides legal aid to Montana seniors, enrolled tribal members, and disabled adults. Legal professionals meet with the attendees to draft appropriate estate planning documents. After the documents are reviewed, volunteers notarize the documents, copies are made, and final instructions are given. This full-service program has provided more than 6 million dollars’ worth of free legal help since 2017.
The clinics take place during the Spring and summer throughout the state. This year, there will be clinics in Columbus – April 27; Dillon – May 23; Havre – June 8; Poplar – July 18; Glasgow – July 20; and Kalispell – August 17.
If you are interested in volunteering your notary services at any of these clinics, please contact the Project Coordinator, Richard Heitstuman at Richard.Heitstuman@mt.gov or 406-417-8648 for more information. Some expenses may be reimbursed. This is a great opportunity to serve your community while becoming more knowledgeable and confident when notarizing legal documents.
 The Mission of the Office of the Secretary of State is to protect the integrity of elections, be an asset to businesses and preserve official history.
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