Hello Kelsey:
I agree with Amber- the Michigan Notary Association is a good organization. There can be a fair amount of liability for notaries regarding some documents. Estate and power of attorney documents can be commonly contested, there is much fraud
with estate and land documents. Unless someone is very well versed in these areas ( REALLY well versed) and has generous liability insurance, it is likely not worth the risk.
If you wish to proceed, I would follow Amber’s advice AND also confer with the library’s attorney and insurance agent before proceeding.
https://www.michigannotaryassociation.org/13-reasons-notaries-could-be-sued
I hope this is helpful!
Clare
Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D.
Library Law Consultant
Library of Michigan
517-335-8132
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From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org>
On Behalf Of Amber Hughey via Michlib-l
Sent: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 12:27 PM
To: Director <director@indianriverlibrary.org>; Director via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org>
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Notary Question
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I highly recommend training from Leslie Hocker with the Michigan Notary Association. There is a lot of information that (in my experience) most notaries do not realize.
We (Bridgeport Library) do not notarize closing documents or quit claim deeds. With quit claim deeds, there is a lot of fraud going on, leading to potential lawsuits.
Hope this helps!
Amber Hughey
Bridgeport Public Library.
On 08/06/2025 12:11 PM EDT Director via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Good afternoon,
In the past year, our library began offering notary services to the public and I am the designated notary. I noticed that some libraries do not notarize real estate documents or estate documents, like trusts, wills, Power of Attorney, deeds, or closing documents, even though I believe technically Michigan notaries would have the authority to do so. Is there a reason for this? Our library is located in a very rural area and there are not many options for finding a notary, so we often receive these requests and I would like to help if possible. However, I do not want to start notarizing these documents if there is good reason not to.
I would be happy to share responses if anyone would like to have them as well. Thank you in advance!
Thank you,Kelsey Rutkowski
--------------------------------------
Library Director
Indian River Area Library
3546 S Straits Hwy
PO Box 160
Indian River, MI 49749
(231) 238-8581
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