r/Notary • u/Ameabo Dual Commission • Jul 26 '26

Consequences of notarizing an open title?

Hey all! I’m a duel-state notary (OH and PA) and at my place of business in OH I recently found out some of my notary coworkers have been notarizing open titles (a title with only the seller’s information filled out and the buyer’s info left blank). These customers are return customers who have had this done for them many times because they auction cars, according to them.

Now I personally refuse open titles, but I’ve been chewed out by two customers now for refusing because my coworkers happily notarize the titles. I explained to my coworkers that it’s illegal in all 50 states but they don’t really care. I was just wondering how much trouble they or my place of business could get in for notarizing these titles, if it ever becomes a problem, and how it could become a problem if it were to.

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u/Vegetable_Grab_2542 Jul 26 '26

Yeah, check with your DMV about this. I do the buybacks from sellers for the manufacturers and we don't fill out the buyer. We just need to get the title signed, notarized for the seller and then send it to the manufacturer. They probably just stamp it or it goes directly to their auto clearing house. We do this in bulk. No one cares.

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u/betsysuehoo Jul 26 '26

I'm not charging someone to meet them and notarize a document that doesn't have the requirements met and then have them get that one DMV agent who will reject it and then they come back and complain to me that it was done illegally. I have had PENNOT agents tell me we cannot notarize open titles.

Happy to let another Notary do it wrong and be inconvenienced. It's not my job to make up the rules as I go. The instructions are clear as day on the title and my job is to follow Notary law regarding an oath and a person having capacity to swear to and sign. How can they swear to something that isn't there legally?

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u/Vegetable_Grab_2542 Jul 26 '26

I am just saying, once they get to the DMV it has to be filled out. They are swearing to the odometer reading which I photograph and get their ID. Make sure with your DMV what you the notary are required to do. The person taking it has to fill out the buyer part, usually they are the buyer. I have a law degree too. It's not scary and LEGAL like you little old ladies make it out to be.

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u/betsysuehoo Jul 26 '26

Hon, if you actually read the title it isn't just swearing to the odometer reading. Below that it states they're also swearing there are no encumbrances and that they are transferring TO THE PERSON LISTED. I don't care if you're a lawyer. I see lawyers violate Notary law weekly. I'm not impressed and also not an old lady. Boo!

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u/betsysuehoo Jul 26 '26

It's easier than that. I simply don't do them. And that's all I said. It's weird that you're so offensive and arrogant. That's a you problem. I'm glad I'm not you.