Governor Signs Bill Requiring Notaries to Verify Identification

Assemblyman Mike Davis announced Tuesday that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed AB 2452 (Davis) which addresses criminal and negligent behavior by notaries public that contribute to the problem of real estate fraud.

Notary publics are the bedrock of the real estate industry because they verify identification on grant deeds, deeds of trust, and other documents necessary for the transfer of real estate.

“We can not allow the criminal or negligent behavior of a growing minority of notaries public to threaten the credibility of our notaries,” stated Assemblyman Davis.

“We must protect consumers when they are seeking to purchase or transfer property and also the integrity of these transactions. If notaries public appropriately verify identification, we will have more accountability from individuals involved in home loan transactions,” Davis added.

AB 2452 will require notary publics to verify the identification of everyone who presents documents that would change title to real property in California. This measure would add specified governmental employee identification cards as allowable forms of identification, including, cards issued by federal, state, county or municipal agencies. AB 2452 (Davis) is sponsored by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles County Sheriff and the National Notary Association.

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