Legal Services

Notarial Services

By Order of the Secretary of the Army:

JAMES C. MCCONVILLE
General, United States Army
Chief of Staff

Official:

KATHLEEN S. MILLER
Administrative Assistant
to the Secretary of the Army

History. This publication is a major revision.

Summary. This regulation covers policies and procedures for Army military and civilian personnel performing notarial services as part of their official duties.

Applicability. This regulation applies to the Regular Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U. S. Army Reserve. Also, it applies to all Department of the Army civilians during periods of peace and war during partial and full mobilization. During mobilization, the proponent may modify chapters and policies contained in this regulation.

Proponent and exception authority. The proponent of this regulation is The Judge Advocate General. The proponent has the authority to approve exceptions or waivers to this regulation that are consistent with controlling law and regulations. The proponent may delegate this approval authority, in writing, to a division chief within the proponent agency or its direct reporting unit or field operating agency in the grade of colonel or the civilian equivalent. Activities may request a waiver to this regulation by providing justification that includes a full analysis of the expected benefits and must include a formal review by the activity’s senior legal officer. All waiver requests will be endorsed by the commander or senior leader of the requesting activity and forwarded through their higher headquarters to the policy proponent. Refer to AR 25–30 for specific guidance.

Army internal control process. This regulation contains internal control provisions in accordance with AR 11–2 and identifies key internal controls that must be evaluated (see appendix C).

Supplementation. Supplementation of this regulation and establishment of command or local forms are prohibited without approval from The Judge Advocate General (DAJA–ZA), 2200 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310–2200.

Suggested improvements. Users are invited to send comments and suggested improvements on DA FormDA FormDepartment of the Army form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) directly to the Office of The Judge Advocate General (DAJA–LA), 2200 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310–2200.

Distribution. Distribution of this publication is available in electronic media only and is intended for the Regular Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve.

Contents (Listed by paragraph and page number)

Chapter 1
Introduction, page 1
Purpose • 1–1, page 1
References and forms • 1–2, page 1
Explanation of abbreviations and terms • 1–3, page 1
Responsibilities • 1–4, page 1
Records management (recordkeeping) requirements • 1–5, page 1
Authority • 1–6, page 1
Policy • 1–7, page 1
Exceptions • 1–8, page 2
Training • 1–9, page 2

Chapter 2
Types of Notaries, page 2
General • 2–1, page 2
Military notaries • 2–2, page 2
Civil notarial commissions • 2–3, page 3
State notarial laws • 2–4, page 3

*This regulation supersedes AR 27–55, dated 17 November 2003.
AR 27–55 • 24 January 2020
UNCLASSIFIED