Which office in Maryland is responsible for appointing notaries, enforcing rules, maintaining records, and handling disciplinary actions?

Study for the Maryland Notary Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The authority to appoint notaries, maintain the official records, enforce rules, and handle disciplinary actions in Maryland rests with the Secretary of State’s office, specifically the Notary Division. This division issues commissions to notaries, keeps the official roster of active notaries and their records, and administers rules and disciplinary processes, including investigations, suspensions, or revocations. The other offices don’t perform these functions: a public-safety department oversees safety-related duties; the state’s highest court doesn’t appoint notaries or regulate their conduct; and licensing departments regulate many professions but not the notary public in Maryland.