There are new rules for the people who help make a will or other important document official. The legislature has voted to force “Notaries” to use an official stamp and their signature to notarize documents. Secretary of State Chet Culver says the use of that stamp hasn’t been a requirement ’til now. Culver says the seal for a “notary public” makes it clear just who notarized the document. About 50-thousand people are registered “notaries public” in Iowa. A “notary public” will have to be at least 18 from now on, and won’t be able to be a notary if they have a felony conviction or have been deemed “mentally incompetent” to vote. Culver says the changes aren’t all that controversial. He says some of the new legislation will impact notaries in a positive way. The new rules go into effect July 1st.
