Notary Powers

A justice of the peace has the power to act as an ex officio notary public by virtue of the office.

Ex Officio notarial powers are VERY LIMITED and justices of the peace are only allowed to exercise functions of a notary in four specific ways.  All acts which are performed beyond the specific authority granted to JP's shall be null and void.

Justices of the Peace are allowed to exercise functions of a notary ONLY to:

1. Administrate oaths or affirmations.

2. Notarize sworn statements, affidavits and acknowledgements.

3. Make protests

4. Notarize bills of sale, transfers, conveyances, exchanges, donations, chattel mortgages, and other documents or instruments affecting movable property or titles thereto.  Further, JPs are allowed to notarize title documents relating to movable property when these documents are required by law.  This includes title documents that must be registered with the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.