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CELEBRATING NOTARY PUBLIC DAY NOVEMBER 7th Welcome to Let’s Talk Notary! In honor of U.S. Virgin Islands notaries, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s Notary Division proudly recognizes Notary Public Day. In today's modernized notary public profession, notaries serve as essential gatekeepers for accurate and secure notarizations, underscoring the importance of their role more than ever. We encourage everyone to express appreciation to our fellow notaries public for their service to our community. Observed each year on November 7th, Notary Public Day is dedicated to honoring the essestial role of notary professionals in our society. Notaries public are trusted authorities who witness the signing of significant legal documents, working diligently to ensure authenticity and deter fraud. On this day, we recognize the hard work and dedication of these professionals, whose impartiality and integrity uphold the foundation of numerous legal transactions. Notaries serve as objective third parties, verifying identities and confirming that signers act willingly- whether certifying deeds, wills, power of attorney, or other essential documents. Their signatures and official seals carry the weight of law, providing a crucial layer of security and legitimacy. Without notaries, many critical transactions and processes would simply not be possible. This November 7th, let us take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the notaries in the Virgin Islands for their essential service. Their work, often unnoticed, is indispensable to the integrity of our legal system and the protection of citizens' rights. Notary Public Day FAQs The Birth of National Notary Public Day- In 1975, the American Society of Notaries established Notary Public Day to honor notaries for their invaluable public service and contributions to commerce both domestically and internationally. November 7th was selected in recognition of Thomas Fugill, who became America’s first notary public upon his appointment by the Colony of New Haven on October 25, 1639, under the Julian calendar, a date that corresponds to November 7 on today’s Gregorian calendar. When is Notary Public Day? National Notary Public Day is observed annually November 7th each year. Is Notary Public Day a holiday? No, Notary Public Day is not a formal holiday. While it's a day to recognize the essential role of notaries public, it does not include a day off from work. Why is it called notary public? The title "notary public" has historical roots in ancient Rome, where public scribes who witnessed and recorded documents were referred to as "notarii" or "scribae." These early public officials, known as "Notarius," served an essential role in maintaining the authenticity of recorded transactions. This newsletter is intended to educate and assist notaries public in the Virgin Islands and does not constitute legal advice. THE NOTARY NEWS UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS NOTARY PUBLIC DIVISION November 2024 EDITION volume 3 THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR GOVERNMENT HOUSE Charlotte Amalie, V.I. 00802 340-774-0001 NOTARY PUBLIC DAY 2024 ************ BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES ************ A PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, America’s first notary, Thomas Fugill, was appointed on November 7, 1639; and WHEREAS, the first Notary Public Day was celebrated on November 7, 1975, and created to “recognize notaries for their public service and their contributions to national and international commerce,” and WHEREAS, since ancient Roman times, notaries public have recorded matters of judicial and commercial importance and performed private transactions when professional skills and integrity were needed; and WHEREAS, it has been an honor and privilege for the Lieutenant Governor of the Virgin Islands to appoint and regulate notaries in the Virgin Islands since 1967, and for the Lieutenant Governor to have played an integral role in implementing the appointment process; and WHEREAS, the notary statute codified at Virgin Islands Code, Title 3, Chapter 29, “Notaries Public”, has been in effect since 1988; and WHEREAS, a notary public in the Virgin Islands is a person appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, whose primary role is to serve the public as an impartial witness to the execution of important documents while verifying identities; and WHEREAS, Virgin Islands notaries public proudly serve as the front-line defense against document fraud and attemps at forgery; and WHEREAS, notaries affirm that participants in transactions have entered into agreements knowingly and willingly; create a trustworthy enviroment, and can corroborate important documents with full confidence and authenticity; and WHEREAS, notaries provide essential service to the community and are entrusted to perform their duties truthfully and with integrity; and WHEREAS, serving the people of the Virgin Islands as a notary public is an honor bestowed upon the individuals who take the oath of office to serve our community with distinction. NOW, THEREFORE, I Albert Bryan Jr., Governor of the Virgin Islands of the United States, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 7, 2024, as “Notary Public Day” in the United States Virgin Islands. I encourage the community to recognize and applaud Public Notaries throughout the territory for their outstanding work and invaluable service they provide in the welfare of the whole family, commerce, immigration, and social equity. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands to be affixed at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, this 25 day of October, A.D. 2024.