Can a notary take an acknowledgment or affidavit of a nonresident of the State of Tennessee?
Yes, if that person is physically present in the state.
How often is the Tennessee Blue Book published?
The Tennessee Blue Book is published every two years. The 2021–2022 Tennessee Blue Book will be released in Spring 2022.
Will I have to pay for a Tennessee Blue Book?
No, Tennessee Blue Books are free to Tennessee residents
I am a teacher, how can I get Tennessee Blue Books for my students?
The Tennessee Blue Book is a great resource for teachers and students alike.
Digital versions of the Tennessee Blue Book can be found here.
There is also a Student Edition site targeted towards Tennessee history www.tnsoshistory.com/
How do I check on the status of my notary commission?
You can check with your county clerk's office to see if the request has been submitted to our office. You can also go to the Notary Search page and search for your information to check the status of your commission at https://tnbear.tn.gov/Notary/notary
How can I incorporate the Tennessee Blue Book in my lesson plan?
Lesson plans are available here and are broken down by grade level.
May a Professional Solicitor sell tickets to a fundraising event for a charity?
Yes, however, in the case of events to which tickets are being donated to a charitable organization, the professional solicitor is responsible for attaining a written commitment from the charitable organization stating that they will accept donated tickets and specifying the number of tickets they are willing to accept. No more contributions for donated tickets that will be accepted may be solicited by the professional solicitor.
What is a professional solicitor?
"Professional solicitor" means any person who, for a financial or other consideration, solicits contributions for, or on behalf of, a charitable organization, whether such solicitation is performed personally or through such person's agents, servants or employees or through agents, servants or employees specially employed by or for a charitable organization, who are engaged in the solicitation of contributions under the direction of such person, or a person who plans, conducts, manages, carries on or advises a charitable organization in connection with the solicitation of contributions. Any independent marketing agent or entity to whom a professional solicitor assigns fundraising or solicitation responsibilities shall be deemed to be a professional solicitor for purposes of this part. A salaried officer or permanent employee of a charitable organization is not deemed to be a professional solicitor. However, any salaried officer or employee of a charitable organization that engages in the solicitation of contributions for compensation in any manner for more than one (1) charitable organization is deemed a professional solicitor. A professional solicitor does not include an attorney, investment counselor, or banker who in the conduct of such person's profession advises a client. See T.C.A. §48-101-501(7).
How can I receive a Tennessee Blue Book if I live in a different state?
Tennessee Blue Books are subject to availability to out-of-state residents and may not be readily available upon initial release.
Please note if you live out-of-state and fill out a request form online, your request may be delayed to ensure availability to Tennessee citizens. Since the Tennessee Blue Book is released in the spring, we recommend waiting until the end of the year to inquire about availability.
Can a notary perform marriages?
Yes, Public Chapter No. 255 of the 112th General Assembly changes the language allowing notary publics to perform marriages. There are no additional provisions to regulate how Notaries perform marriages, but they must follow the rules required of all officiants. Effective April 28, 2021.
How do I handle a complaint about the conduct of a Notary?
A Notary is considered a public official and may be removed from office just as any other official. Complaints concerning official misconduct should be directed to local Law Enforcement in the county in which the Notary is elected or in which the alleged misconduct occurred.
"Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-7-103, the District Attorney General has the duty of prosecuting all violations of state criminal statutes which occur in his or her district. This duty includes prosecutions of criminal acts committed by notaries. A citizen who wishes to file a criminal complaint against a notary public may do so by contacting the District Attorney General of the judicial district in which the alleged criminal conduct occurred and proceeding through the complaint process."
Additionally, as explained in the above opinion of the Attorney General, a notary may be removed from office through the ouster proceedings set forth in Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-17-101.
The Library & Archives provides free patron parking in its garage. To access the garage, patrons must obtain a library card at the first-floor receptionist desk.
First-time patrons may temporarily park in the parallel street parking on Rep. John Lewis Way N. After receiving an activated library card from the security receptionist, patrons should move their vehicles to the garage via the ramp on Jackson Street/Junior Gilliam Way.
On weekends, visitors may also park free in the state employee parking lots around the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.
How long does a notary commission last?
A Notary’s term of office is four years. The four-year term begins on the date that the notary commission is issued by the Governor. It is a Class C misdemeanor for a Notary to act in an official capacity after the expiration of their notary commission.
Where do I obtain my notary stamp?
A commissioned notary can purchase a notary stamp through the county clerk's office or from an office supply company.
How do I change my name and/or address of my notary commission?
Contact the county clerk's office you were commissioned in to submit a name and/or address change along with a fee for the change.
Is a Professional Solicitor required to make any disclosures when soliciting?
Yes, a professional solicitor shall, prior to orally requesting a contribution and at the same time a written request for a contribution is made, clearly and conspicuously disclose at the point of solicitation the solicitor’s name as on file with the Division of Charitable Solicitation and Gaming and that the solicitation is being conducted by a “paid solicitor”. In the case of a solicitation campaign conducted orally, professional solicitors are required to send written confirmation to each person who has contributed or pledged to contribute within five (5) days after that person has been solicited. The written confirmation shall include the above disclosure.
What is a commercial co-venturer?
A commercial co-venturer is any person who is organized for profit; is regularly and primarily engaged in trade or commerce, other than in connection with soliciting for charitable or civic organizations or charitable purposes; and conducts an advertised charitable sales promotion for a specific limited period of time. The charitable organization being promoted by the co-venturer must be duly registered or be exempt from registration with the Division of Charitable Solicitations. Commercial co-venturers are required to have a written agreement with the charitable organization on whose behalf the sales promotion is to be conducted. Such co-venturers are also required to keep all records in connection with the charitable sales promotion for no less than three (3) years after the end date of the promotion.
What is a professional fundraising counsel?
"Professional fundraising counsel" means any person who, for compensation, plans, manages, advises, consults, or prepares material for a charitable organization for the solicitation of contributions in this state, but who does not solicit contributions and does not employ, procure, or engage any person to solicit contributions on behalf of a charitable organization. "Professional fundraising counsel" does not include an attorney, investment counselor, bona fide salaried officer, employee, volunteer, or banker who in the conduct of such person's profession advises a client. See T.C.A. §48-101-501(6).