Sharon D. Wolf

P.S.A.
I am a Founding Member and Treasurer of the Virginia Association of Notaries (est. 2022). I am passionate about Notary P***c ethics, educating consumers, business owners and notaries about upholding the Notary Public Oath of Office. Our organization has been granted IRS nonprofit 501(c)(6) tax status. V.A.N. is formally recognized as a nonprofit trade organization.
https://vanotaryassoc.org/

I am a Professional Notary Public who READS and FOLLOWS the Best Practices that are put forth in the Commonwealth Secretary of State Notary Handbook AND the Commonwealth of Virginia Notary Public Code.
https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/official-documents/notary-commissions/

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title47.1/chapter3/

I am a Member and Ambassador for the National Notary Association, the long-lived industry standard Professional Notary Public organization. I adhere to the National Notary Association's Professional Code of Conduct and Best Practices for Notary Signing Agents.
https://www.nationalnotary.org

In addition to the above Professional Standards, my business model incorporates additional industry standards that I follow for transparency and my personal safety.

Based on the above information, please be aware of just a few things to expect when reaching out for my Professional Notary Public Services:
1. A phone conversation to review the scope of work I'll need to perform. Possibly a request to review the notarization portion of the document.
2. You will receive a WRITTEN invoice and appointment confirmation based on the agreed upon scope of notarization work and fee for my services. Typically sent via email PRIOR to our appointment. A paid receipt is sent in follow up after our appointment (and payment) has been received.
3. All signers (including witnesses) will need to present a current non-expired government issued state ID. The allowable and required ID information for signers per State guidelines WILL be kept in my Notarial Log/Journal. From 2014-2020, I kept a paper journal. I switched from a paper journal to the e-journal, Notary Act in 2021. I notarize 50+ documents per day and this is what works best for my business model and the volume of full time Mobile and e-Notary business. All signers will need to sign my log. I'm always glad to share the information I capture before you sign.
4. I may (or may not) be required to issue an Oath to the Signers before notarizing your document(s).

More information can be found on my website:
https://wolfsigningservices.com/

Home Northern Shenandoah Valley Notary Public & Notary Signing Agent Professional and trusted mobile and remote notary services to accommodate the location, schedule and technology that best suits your needs in Clarke, Frederick and Loudoun...

EFFECTI9VE TODAY 7/1/2024 Virginia Notaries Public!

Effective TODAY:

Have questions or need guidance on building your Notary Business? Look no further - the Virginia Association of Notaries is hosting a LIVE and FREE event this month to assist you!

Join Virginia Association of Notaries for our FIRST roundtable, "Build Your Notary Business!" This session will take place on Zoom, Thursday, May 30th at 7:00 PM. This will be a LIVE and FREE event that’s open to the public. It will also be recorded, but only VAN members will have access to the recording after the event.

Registration is required.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/buildyournotarybiz

Become a VAN member: https://vanotaryassoc.org/become-a-member/

I really enjoy my time volunteering with Berryville Main Street. This was during the Big Flea - a busy day in April for downtown Berryville and it's businesses. Visit us again for the Fall Big Flea!
I also help coordinate sponsors for the Main Street Planter program; which helps beautify the storefronts of several downtown Berryville businesses!

Virginia Notary Signing Agents:
Looking for Spanish speaking Notary Signing Agents to refer to National Home Builder. Please respond with your area of coverage.

Again, so PROUD be be one of the Founding Members and Treasurer of this organization that has been formed to lend support and resources to the over 100,000 Virginia Notaries Public! Details below on recent legislative action that increases the Allowable Notarial Fee's in Virginia from $5 to $10!!!

On February 26, 2024, the VA Senate passed the bill to raise Virginia notary fees from $5.00 to $10.00, with a unanimous vote of 40-Y and 0-N.

The Virginia Association of Notaries is proud to have supported Delegate Kathy Tran who sponsored this Bill in the VA General Assembly for the 2023_24 Session. Our Lobbyist Representative Tim Reiniger was present for the reading of the Bill in the Virginia House, and our VAN President Juanita Lyons was present for the reading of the HB 986 in the Virginia Senate Sub-Committee Meeting.

What happens next?

Once Governor Glenn Youngkin signs the bill, the increased fee could go into effect in July 2024.

YOUR voice was heard!!!

EDIT: Recent update from VAN:
GOOD NEWS!! I just heard from our Lobbyist that the Removal of Antecedent Proofing as an identity method has been removed from the Agenda. Your assistance with reaching out to your local Delegate regarding an increase in Notary Fee's is still needed. Read below for details on how to reach your Delegate and a suggested form letter to send to them regarding this pressing issue coming up in the General Assembly NEXT WEEK!

The Virginia Association of Notaries is currently working towards lobbying for VA notaries public and look out for your best interests.
At this time, VAN has not used any monetary funds for these efforts. However, when there is a financial exchange for lobbying efforts we are required to inform you of what percentage of your dues is being used for those efforts.
BUT RIGHT NOW, WE NEED YOUR HELP! These Bills are coming up before the General Assembly NEXT WEEK! We need EVERYONE to contact their local Delegate ASAP and enlist their help in this effort.

Here is where you can find contact info for your local Delegate:
whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov

This is a form letter you can use to write your Delegate:
Please change as needed:
Todays Date
The Honorable (First name)(Last name)
Address City, State (Zip Code)
RE: Support to Remove the Antecedent Proofing identity verification method and Increase the Standard Fee for Virginia Notarial Acts
Dear (Representative/Senator/Congressman or Congresswoman) (Last name):
My name is (your first and last name) and I am a (family member /service provider/advocate/community member) who resides in your district.
I am writing today to ask for your vote on two Bills currently being introduced to the Virginia General Assembly in January of 2024 regarding Notarial acts under the purview of Virginia notaries public.
The first Bill is being introduced By Delegate Kathy Tran to increase the allowable fee for traditional notarial acts from five dollars ($5) to ten dollars ($10) per stamp, currently I cannot reference a drafted House Bill proposed by Delegate Tran. The current fee for a traditional notarial stamp has been locked at five dollars since 2005.
I strongly support any House Bill that would increase this minimal rate for traditional notarizations for Virginia Notaries Public.
As Public Officers we have, for the most part, personally accepted all risk for notarizations that are performed for the general public. In direct correlation, to balance the personal risk, most of us obtain individual Errors & Omissions Insurance out of pocket in the event we need legal representation. These fees rise periodically, but our fee has not kept pace with the costs of performing our office with all due diligence.
In addition, the costs of obtaining equipment have increased over time, as you are aware, the effects of inflation have impacted all industries nationwide, the suppliers of notarial equipment are no exception.
The increase would offset personal costs and support the ability of notaries representing Virginia to perform their office with confidence that our Notary Commission is not a financially negative effort.
I ask that you vote YES to this bill to increase the allowable fee to $10 per stamp.
Additionally it has been brought to my attention that there is interest to draft legislation to remove the identity verification method "antecedent proofing" from the VA Code § 47.1-2. Definitions. The drafted House Bill 1372 proposed in part by Representative Delegate Marcus B. Simon would remove the option of antecedent proofing for Virginia notaries, both traditional and electronic.
I strongly oppose any House Bill that would remove this identity proofing option. While this is not a widely utilized method of identity verification, it is a valuable option for Virginia notaries in both the Federal space as well as the Healthcare field.
Removal of this option would force the Federal government to utilize a commercial platform for actions that are currently possible to perform with in-network software tools already purchased by the Federal government for their local area networks at each agency. While identity verification is vital to the performance of a valid notarization, in instances where antecedent proofing is possible, the change would require contracts and software licensing fees for software platforms which may not currently be impacting the overall expense to the private individual. This does nothing but burden the US Taxpayer with yet another expense in an already extended Federal budget.
Additionally Healthcare organizations utilizing this identity verification method would also be forced into the commercial field for online platforms, requiring contracts and software licensing fees which may not currently be impacting the overall expense to the private individual. In many cases a software platform may not be an option depending on the individual circumstances of the health issue. Our healthcare costs are already exceedingly high, adding yet another fee to the public is an unnecessary burden.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is currently the only state in the United State with this identification form option available, and it is a highly valuable method in terms of potential for the Commonwealth if used properly.
As a Steward of the Taxpayers' dollar - I ask that you vote NO to this bill.
I appreciate your help and ask that you please send me a response letting me know if you are able to support any future House Bill that would amend or modify these two points in the Virginia Code.
Sincerely, SIGN YOUR NAME
Print your name
Street address
City, State, Zip code
THANK YOU!

The Virginia Association of Notaries has no affiliation with any other notary association in the United States. To become a member, please visit https://vanotaryassoc.org.

Our membership continues to grow daily. Access the VAN website: https://vanotaryassoc.org to join today!

Virginia Notary and Industry Partners - our membership continues to grow weekly! Please consider joining this amazing professional trade organization for Virginia Notaries Public! Discounted membership rates have been extended into January 2024!

As a Commonwealth of Virginia Electronic Notary Public I complete Remote Online Notarizations and Real Estate Closings utilizing the Notary Cam Platform.

I’m proud to share my role as a Founding Member and Treasurer of the Virginia Association of Notaries! This organization was founded by Notaries for Notaries. It is a much needed, state specific professional resource for Virginia Notaries Public.

Our mission statement really says it best:
‘The Virginia Association of Notaries’ mission is to educate, empower, and support Virginia notaries by guiding them in executing their duties following the Virginia Notary laws. We represent Virginia notaries at the local and state levels. Our goal is to be a trustworthy resource for notaries to learn best practices and enhance their knowledge as credible public officials

We are offering introductory membership pricing through 12/31/2023!

https://vanotaryassoc.org/

I am so proud to to announce the official launch of the Virginia Association of Notaries! Myself and other equally passionate Founding Members have worked really hard for over a year to bring this non-profit, state-specific Notary Public organization to life!
‘The Virginia Association of Notaries’ mission is to educate, empower, and support Virginia notaries by guiding them in executing their duties following the Virginia Notary laws. We represent Virginia notaries at the local and state levels. Our goal is to be a trustworthy resource for notaries to learn best practices and enhance their knowledge as credible public officials.
Check out our website! Take advantage of our Introductory New Member Rates (which ends on 12/31/2023) and learn more about Membership Benefits (which includes access to the V.A.N. page).
https://vanotaryassoc.org/
As a Founding Member and Treasurer of Virginia Association of Notaries I would appreciate it if you could share this post to any Virginia Notaries Public, Virginia business owners or state or local industry partners including title companies, attorneys and realtors that may benefit from our content. We still have a few spots available for Vendor Partner ad space. You can reach out to me for more information.
Thank you everyone for your support!

Keep an eye out for more information on how to be a part of this organization for Virginia Notaries Public!

Exciting proposed bill for the Notary Public profession in the Commonwealth. Great opportunity for required education and consistent business practices. If passed - I consider it a big win for notaries, employers and consumers!

Richmond Sunlight » SB1093: Notaries; course and examination; journal and electronic record of notarial acts. 1. That § 47.1-2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding sections numbered 47.1-5.2, 47.1-14.1, and 47.1-14.2 as follows: