Maine Secretary of State Announces New Online Search Tool

Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap today announced a further expansion of online services available through the Secretary of State Web site. "Now when someone needs the services of a notary public or a dedimus justice, they can find one quickly and easily by heading to the Web," said Dunlap. Notary public is an ancient office with many citations throughout Maine statute. The primary duty is to formally witness transactions involving paper documents. Maine notaries can also officiate at weddings. Dedimus justices perform a single function under Maine statute: that of swearing in various public officials, including notaries public.

"Since the Bureau of Corporations, Elections, and Commissions (CEC) maintains the listing of commissions for notaries public," said Dunlap, "it makes perfect sense that we offer a quick and easy method for finding one in your area. People may search by a location, preferred language, or name of a notary public or dedimus justice."

Timothy Poulin, director of Corporations, Uniform Commercial Code, and Commissions within the CEC, says "a key feature of the new notary search tool is that ability to search by the language spoken by notaries or dedimus justices. For example, if you need to find a notary public who speaks French in Bangor, this search tool will allow you do to just that." Poulin added "search results will also include telephone numbers, so you can easily reach the person you need."