Section 36-20-5

Powers.

Notaries public shall have authority to:

(1) Administer oaths in all matters incident to the exercise of their office;

(2) Take the acknowledgment or proof of instruments of writing relating to commerce or navigation and certify the same and all other of their official acts under their seal of office;

(3) Demand acceptance and payment of bills of exchange, promissory notes and all other writings which are governed by the commercial law as to days of grace, demand and notice of nonpayment and protest the same for nonacceptance or nonpayment and to give notice thereof as required by law; and

(4) Exercise such other powers as, according to commercial usage or the laws of this state, may belong to notaries public.

(Code 1852, §857; Code 1867, §1083; Code 1876, §1329; Code 1886, §1105; Code 1896, §3025; Code 1907, §5166; Code 1923, §9242; Code 1940, T. 40, §5.)