Section 165.1. Lesser offenses incompatible with the duties of a notary public— statement of policy

(a) The Secretary of the Commonwealth reviews applications for appointment to the office of notary public under section 5 of The Notary Public Law (act) (57 P. S. § 151). Section 5(b)(1) of the act requires that the applicant may not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or a lesser offense incompatible with the duties of a notary public during the 5-year period preceding the date of the application.

(b) Misdemeanor crimes involving a lack of honesty or elements of falsehood and fraud (crimen falsi) are considered incompatible with the duties of a notary public, regardless of the jurisdiction in which crimes were committed.

(c) Under Pennsylvania law, misdemeanors include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Forgery and fraudulent practices which includes bad checks, insurance fraud and identity theft. See 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 41 (relating to forgery and fraudulent practices).

(2) Theft which includes receiving stolen property and retail theft. See 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 39 (relating to theft and related offenses).

(3) Criminal conspiracy if the underlying crime is incompatible. See 18 Pa.C.S. § 903 (relating to criminal conspiracy).

(4) Bribery. See 18 Pa.C.S. § 4701 (relating to bribery in official and political matters).

(5) Perjury or falsification in official matter which includes false swearing, unsworn falsification to authorities and tampering with evidence. See 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 49, Subchapter A (relating to perjury and falsification in official matters).

(6) Obstructing governmental operations. See 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 51, Subchapter A (relating to definition of offenses generally).

(d) The Secretary will consider all similar crimes committed in the courts of the United States or any other state, territory, possession or country to be incompatible with the duties of a notary public.