Alabama Code Sections 36-20-70 to 36-20-75 govern the employment of notaries public in Alabama. Notaries public have authority to do the following:
- Administer oaths in all matters incident to the exercise of their office.
- Take the acknowledgment or proof of instruments of writing relating to commerce or navigation and certify the same and all other of their official acts under their seal of office.
- Demand acceptance and payment of bills of exchange, promissory notes, and all other writings which are governed by the commercial law as to days of grace, demand, and notice of nonpayment and protest the same for nonacceptance or nonpayment and to give notice thereof as required by law.
- Exercise such other powers, according to commercial usage or the laws of this state, as may belong to notaries public.
Ala. Code § 36-20-73.
Notaries are appointed and commissioned by the probate judges of the various counties for terms of four years. Ala. Code § 36-20-70. Probate judges report to the Secretary of State the name, county of residence, date of issuance, and date of expiration of the commission of each notary public appointed and commissioned under applicable law. Ala. Code § 36-20-70. The records filed with this office regarding the appointment and commissioning of notaries are a matter of public record and are available for review by the general public. You can browse the list of commissioned notaries by clicking here.
For information about being appointed and commissioned a notary public, including application, bond, and fee requirements, please contact the probate judge for your county. Click here to obtain contact information for your county probate judge.
Alabama Attorney General opinions concerning notary law are available through the Office of the Attorney General’s website.
For additional information, contact:
Janice McDonald
Phone: (334) 353-7854
or send email