The Department of Financial Institutions commissions and regulates notaries public of this state under Wis.Stat.ch.140. The Department may conduct investigations to determine whether any person has violated this chapter or any rule promulgated under this chapter. The Department may, as a result of an investigation and finding any violation of this chapter or any rule promulgated under this chapter:
- Deny, refuse to renew, revoke, suspend or impose a condition on a commission;
- Refer a case for possible legal action to the appropriate agency.
Notaries public of this state may be subject to discipline for:
(a) Failing to comply with any provision of Wisc.Stat.ch140 or administrative rules governing notaries;
(b) Committing an act of fraud, deceit, or of any other misconduct substantially relating to the character or public trust necessary to be a notary public;
(c) Being convicted of any felony or other offense that would be admissible for purposes of impeaching the person’s character for truthfulness in a judicial proceeding governed by the federal rules of evidence or the rules of evidence of this state;
(d) Using false or misleading advertising or otherwise engaging in any method, act or practice that is unfair or deceptive, including any untrue or misleading statement or omission of a material fact relating to a duty or responsibility of a notary public;
(e) Making an untrue or misleading statement or omission of a material fact in any application or filing required by Wis.Stat.ch.140.
(f) Failing to promptly and fully comply with any information or investigative request by the department.
If you feel this a notary has violated this chapter please fill out the Notary Violation Form and return it to the Department for review.
Contact Us
Phone: (608) 266-8915
Email: DFINotary@dfi.wisconsin.gov
Mailing Address:
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
PO Box 7847
Madison, WI 53707-7847
Physical Address:
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Division of Corporate and Consumer Services
4822 Madison Yards Way, North Tower
Madison, WI 53705