What is a Notary Public?

A Notary Public is an officer of the State. By a 1964 constitutional amendment, a Notary, unlike other State
officers, may hold another public office. A Notary Public in the exercise of duties is held to the same high standards of public trust as other appointed and elected State officials. Because Notaries Public are civil officers, they should not advertise their notarial services under a trade name. The public is entitled to know the name of the officer to whom it is going for the services given by a Notary Public.

Can a document be notarized for use outside of Maryland?

Yes.  Where the document will be used is not relevant to your ability to notarize it.  However, the Notary must be physically present in the State of Maryland when acting as a Maryland Notary Public

Can anyone with a professional license, such as a licensed attorney, take the place or act as a Notary if one is not available?

No. Even if one has other professional licenses in Maryland, they cannot act as a Notary unless they are a Notarial Officer, as defined in the law.  Notarial officers are:

• a Notary Public of the State;
• a judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of a court of the State; or
• a magistrate appointed by a court of the State.
  
  

NOTICE: Effective October 1, 2020, Maryland law requires that a certificate is completed for each and every notarial act. If a certificate is not included on the record being notarized, a notarial officer will be required to affix a certificate to the document. A different type of notarial certificate is required for each type of notarial act. 

Reference: State of Maryland, Office of Notary Public