What must a notary do if they wish to change their name during their commission?

When a notary wishes to change their name during their commission, the proper protocol requires notifying the Secretary of State and obtaining a new commission. This is important because the notary's name is part of the official records, and its accuracy is essential for maintaining the integrity of notarizations. If a notary fails to update their name in the records, it could lead to confusion or challenges regarding the validity of their notarizations.

The process ensures that all official documentation clearly reflects the notary's current legal name, which is critical for any legal engagements or requests for notarization. The notary must go through the proper channels to maintain compliance with state regulations and uphold the trust of the public in notarization practices.

In contrast, simply doing nothing, only informing clients, or changing their name without following proper procedures does not address the need for accurate public records and could potentially lead to complications in the notary's duties.