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§ 18-224. Prohibitions

West's Annotated Code of MarylandState GovernmentEffective: October 1, 2020

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
State Government (Refs & Annos)
Title 18. Notarial Acts (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 2. Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2020
MD Code, State Government, § 18-224
§ 18-224. Prohibitions
Currentness
Not authorized
(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.
False or deceptive advertising
(b) A notary public may not engage in false or deceptive advertising.
Notario
(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.
Practicing law
(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.
Original records
(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.

Credits

Added by Acts 2019, c. 407, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2020.
MD Code, State Government, § 18-224, MD STATE GOVT § 18-224
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
End of Document