*IMPORTANT NOTICES*

Notary F.A.Q

• COVID-19 Important Update

  COVID-19 Important update from the California Secretary of State’s (SOS) office regarding commissions that have expired since March 1, 2020: (Please note this info can change daily.  The SOS office releases new information and updates as it becomes available.   It is your responsibility to keep updated on the executive order by the Governor.  The link to the order signed by Governor Newsom is available on the SOS’s website at https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/.  If you have questions on your Notary Public commission, please call the SOS as they are the entity that issues commissions.  SOS’s phone # 916-653-3595). 

  A: Extension of Notary Public Commissions

  On May 8, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-63-20 (see paragraphs 6 and 7), extending commissions of notaries public for a period of 60 days for any notary public whose commission term has expired since March 1, 2020 or whose commission is set to expire over the next 60 days.

  On June 30, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-71-20 extending the time frames in Executive Order N-63-20 an additional 120 days.

  Notary public commission terms that expired anytime between March 1, 2020 and May 7, 2020, have been extended until November 3, 2020.

  Notary public commission terms that expired after May 7, 2020 through November 3, 2020, are extended for 180 days on a rolling basis (i.e., someone whose commission expires on May 8, 2020, will have their commission extended until November 4, 2020, and someone whose commission expires on November 3, 2020 will have their commission extended until May 2, 2021).

  B: Requirements for extension

  This extension is valid provided the notary public whose commission term has been extended, maintains a valid surety bond during the extension, and annotates on each notarial act the following statement: “The notary commission extended pursuant to Executive Order N-63-20.”

  C: Acceptance of Expired California Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards

  As a result of Executive Order N-63-20, California Drivers Licenses and Identification cards that expired on March 1, 2020 or later, must be accepted for a period of 60 days by California notaries public to establish satisfactory evidence of the individual appearing before them. The Secretary of State’s office recommends that notaries public annotate in their journal the expired Driver’s License or Identification Card was accepted due to Executive Order N-63-20. 

• How do I get an extension on my expired Notary Bond and/or E&O that I have purchased through Valley-Sierra Insurance?

  You must request the extension from us, it is not automatic.  Please call us at 916-961-3000, 1-800-362-3369 or email customerservice@valley-sierra.com.  Please include your full commission name, commission number, your Bond # and/or your E&O policy number.

  We will issue you a Bond Rider on your expired Notary Bond that meets Executive Order N-63-20 and N-71-20. Currently we are only able to extend Notary Bonds and Notary E&O's for Notary commissions that expired between March 1, 2020 and November 3, 2020.

  For Notaries who would like their E&O extended as well, you must have a Notary Bond through us that is affected by Executive order N-63-20 in order for us to extend your Notary E&O policy.

• New Executive Order N-63-20 stamp available

  The Executive Order requires you to make an annotate on each notarial act with the following statement: “The notary commission extended pursuant to Executive Order N-63-20.”

  Per Notary Public requests we have created ”The notary commission extended pursuant to Executive Order N-63-20" on a stamp. You can handwrite the required annotate or you can use this stamp for your annotate.

  Here is a link to the new stamp.

• How long does it take to receive my order?

  All orders received prior to 10:30 AM PST are processed the same day we receive them. If your order is received after that timeframe we will process your order either that same day or the next business day. If you only order a Bond (with or without E&O Insurance) or notary supplies (not including seals, stamps or embossers or any other custom items) and the order is received by 10:30 AM PST it will be shipped out the same day. If you order a notary seal/stamp, embosser or a custom item we will make it on-site usually within 1-3 business days. However, we cannot ship a notary seal/stamp or embosser until we receive your original Certificate of Authorization to Manufacture Notary Public Seals. The time it takes for us to ship out your order will depend on how fast you can get your original Certificate of Authorization to Manufacture Notary Public Seals to us. Most orders are shipped within 24-72 hours if your original COA is sent to us the same day you place your order.

• Will I get my original "Certificate to Manufacture Notary Public Seals" back?

   No. It will be forwarded directly to the Secretary of State's office per State Law.

• Can you send the bond today?

  Yes we can! We must receive your order no later than 10:30 AM M-F (excluding holidays) in order for us to be able to ship the bond out same day. If you are ordering a notary package or other custom items (seal, stamp, embosser, etc), there is an additional fee to send just the bond separately. The fee is $15.00 to send the bond via 2-Day shipping, or $25.00 to ship it Overnight. Your order must be marked clearly for the expedited shipping.

• Can I fold my "Certificate to Manufacture Notary Public Seals" when I send it to you?

  Yes. Use the Business Reply Envelope enclosed with our flyer. If you did not receive an envelope, please mail to P. O. Box 610, Orangevale, CA 95662. If you use any method of delivery requiring a signature acknowledging receipt from us, please send to our street address: 4401 Hazel Ave, Ste 110. Fair Oaks, CA, 95628. Return receipt mail sent to our post office box can actually delay our receipt of your Certificate of Authorization.

• What is the best way to order?

  The best (and quickest) way to place your order is through our website. You can also scan your order form and email it to customerservice@valley-sierra.com or fax our Fax Order Form to us at (800) 420-8351 with a copy of the "Certificate to Manufacture Notary Public Seals". (This ensures accuracy).  Please be sure to mail the original "Certificate of authorization to manufacture notary public seals" as soon as possible if your order includes a Notary seal/stamp or embosser. Sorry, we do not take over-the-phone orders for accuracy reasons.

• Do I add tax or shipping to your prices?

  Yes, we do require tax and shipping & handling on all orders. California sales tax of 7.75% is required on all orders, except on Notary Bonds and E&O Insurance. The online store will total the correct sales tax for you. If you use our fax or mail order form please calculate the correct tax on all taxable items. If you have questions on the tax amounts you can email us at customerservice@valley-sierra.com. Shipping options and prices shown on our website during the check out process. Shipping prices are also listed on our fax and mail order forms. If you do not select a shipping & handling option we will automatically choose the cheapest option and add it to your order form for you.

• Which certificate do I mail to you?

  You will need to send us the certificate with the blue State Seal and the numbers 1. and 2. at the bottom. See the picture below.

  

• How long before I receive my order once it has shipped?

  Depending on your order, we ship by a courier of our choice (usually UPS) Shipping normally takes 3-7 business days for Ground Service, 2 business days for the 2-Day Service or 1 business day for Overnight service. We do not ship on Holidays or weekends. Shipping & handling is required on all orders. If desired, we can also charge your FedEx or UPS  account upon request. However, a $3.00 non-refundable handling fee applies should you choose to use your own shipping account. 

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