Wisconsin Notary Law Update-April 2008

WISCONSIN
Act 110
Effective April 2, 2008 AN ACT to create 137.01 (1) (i), (j) and (k) of the statutes; relating to: notaries public who are not attorneys and
providing penalties.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.137.01 (1) (i), (j) and (k) of the statutes are created to read:
137.01 (1) (i) A notary public appointed under this subsection may not do any of the following:
1. State or imply that he or she is an attorney licensed to practice law in this state.
2. Solicit or accept compensation to prepare documents for or otherwise represent the interests of another person in a
judicial or administrative proceeding, including a proceeding relating to immigration to the United States or U.S.
citizenship.
3. Solicit or accept compensation to obtain relief of any kind on behalf of another person from any officer, agent, or
employee of this state, a political subdivision of this state, or the United States.
4. Use the phrase "notario," "notarizaciones," "notarizamos," or "notario publico," or otherwise advertise in a language
other than English on signs, pamphlets, stationery, or other written communication, by radio or television, or on the
Internet his or her services as a notary public if the advertisement fails to include, in English and the language of the
advertisement, all of the following:
a. The statement, if in a written advertisement, in all capital letters and the same type size:
"I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN WISCONSIN AND MAY NOT GIVE
LEGAL ADVICE OR ACCEPT FEES FOR LEGAL ADVICE."
If the advertisement is given orally, the statement may be modified but must include substantially the same
message and be understandable.
b. The fees that a notary public may charge under sub.(9).
(j) The prohibitions under par.(i) 2. and 3. do not apply to a notary public who is an accredited representative, as defined
in 8 CFR 292.1 (a) (4).
(k) A person who violates par.(i) may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both.
A person who commits a 2nd or subsequent violation of par.(i) may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for
not more than 6 years or both.