Complaints

Complaints. A. Complaints against a notary public for violation of the requirements of these Rules, the act or any other law or regulation shall be made in writing and under oath to the Secretary of State. B. Complaints should state all pertinent facts and include a copy of the notarial certificate in question and the status of any pending litigation. C. Complaints alleging violations of criminal statutes shall be made to the district attorney for the county in which the violation occurred. D. Where civil or criminal litigation is pending or anticipated, or has already commenced, the Secretary of State may, in its sole discretion, defer action on the complaint pending the outcome of the litigation. In matters in which litigation is concluded, the Secretary of State may, in its sole discretion, decline to investigate any notary complaint in which the Secretary of State determines that the basis for the complaint could have been considered by a court. E. The Secretary of State may, in its sole discretion, decline to investigate any notary complaint which, on the face of the complaint, has no identifiable violation. F. The Secretary of State may, in its sole discretion, decline to investigate any notary complaint in which the Secretary of State believes or has reason to believe the complaint is an attempt to harass, mislead, or disrupt the normal course of business.