For the knowledge required of us today in our roles as Notaries Public to witness the signatures on documents and particularly with the onslaught of broadened ID theft, immigration matters and persons who’ve never been taught cursive/script writing, we Notaries have never been challenged so much. We take aggravation and venting when we have to turn away people too and undue pressure to irresponsibly take undesired risks.

It’s high time we New York State Notaries had a fee increase to meet the demanding tasks we face. In 1990, we finally had an increase from .25 to $2.00. So much more has been our responsibility since then, some twenty-seven years ago. Thus, this is a formal request for appropriate compensation worthy of the works we do and the state’s renewal fee. The demand is for $5.00 per seal. Our services deserve acceptable remuneration in 2017, long past due.  We insist upon an increase for our activities as state commissioned public officials as we continue to serve. 

Lastly, as in other states, Notaries should be allowed to conduct civil union ceremonies too. If New York State wants to be a progressive state by leadership, recognition, being all-inclusive by example, then it needs to be amicable to change in this 21st century.