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December 22, 2024 Clouds | 14°F
The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  1. General Laws
  2. Part III COURTS, JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND PROCEEDINGS IN CIVIL CASES
  3. Title I COURTS AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS
  4. Chapter 222 JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, NOTARIES PUBLIC AND COMMISSIONERS
  5. Section 13 Qualifications; grounds for denial of application for appointment

Section 13

Section 13: Qualifications; grounds for denial of application for appointment

[Text of section applicable pursuant to 2016, 289, Sec. 7.]

Section 13. (a) A person qualified for a notary public commission shall be at least 18 years of age and reside or have a regular place of work or business within the commonwealth.

(b) In the governor's discretion, an application for appointment, reappointment or renewal of a commission may be denied based on:

(i) submission of an official application containing a material misstatement or omission of fact;

(ii) the applicant's conviction of an offense that resulted in a prison sentence;

(iii) the applicant's conviction of a misdemeanor offense that resulted in a sentence to probation or a fine or a conviction for a violation of paragraph (a) of subdivision (1) of section 24 of chapter 90 or subsection (a) of section 8 of chapter 90B;

(iv) the applicant's admission to sufficient facts to warrant a finding of guilt of any offense;

(v) a finding or admission of responsibility or liability against the applicant in a civil action based on the applicant's fraud or deceit;

(vi) revocation, suspension, restriction or denial of a notary public commission or professional licensure by the commonwealth or any other jurisdiction; or

(vii) any other reason, including official misconduct, that in the governor's discretion, would render the applicant unsuitable to hold a notary public commission.