Maryland Notaries In Action (MDNIA) was officially established in November 2023. However, the roots of this dynamic organization can be traced back to around June 2022. It was during this period that a visionary Maryland Commissioned Notary Public recognized the significance of proposed regulatory changes affecting the notary community. These changes included an increase in Notary Public fees – from $4 to $25 for remote online notarizations and from $4 to $6 for in-person notarizations. However, the increase proposed by the Maryland Secretary of State was significantly lower than the maximum allowable fees passed under Maryland law.

Understanding the importance of the Public Comment Period, this proactive notary began to rally other Maryland Notaries Public. Their collective concern centered around the proposed fee increases, which were open to public comment and subject to approval by the MD Secretary of State. Recognizing the importance of this issue, the group embarked on a mission to voice their opinions on the unfair proposed fee increases for notarial acts.

Their strategy extended beyond merely expressing their stance; they aimed to mobilize and inform as many Notaries Public as possible (via phone banking, emails, forums and social media posts) about the implications of these regulatory changes. This movement, initially informal and driven by a shared goal, gradually took shape into a more structured and purposeful entity. By November 2023, what started as a collective response to a regulatory proposal had evolved into an officially recognized organization, known as Maryland Notaries In Action. MDNIA stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives and the impact of collective action in the professional sphere of notaries.

To educate notaries about the legislative process and how they can make an impact before laws and regulations are passed.

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