Twenty years ago, as the registration manager at St. Andrews Hospital & Healthcare Center, Sherry Tibbetts decided she should be a notary public. It just made sense.

On many occasions, people visiting friends and loved ones would need the services of a notary. There were notaries employed at the hospital, but not on the night shift. That was 20 years ago.

On April 17, 2008, Tibbetts was sworn in as a member of the newly formed Notary Public Review Board, during a convention in Lewiston.

This review board was created by the legislature in the fall of 2007 to investigate notary public complaints and is comprised of five members. Members had to be nominated for consideration.

The Informed Notaries of Maine (INM) Board of Directors nominated Tibbetts. She has been board president of the INM for nine years. This position, combined with her longevity in the field and Dedimus Justice status (this is a lifetime, governor appointed position) constituted just a few of her qualifications.

This Southport resident has taught notary education for eight years and is just wrapping up her third book on the subject.

In 2000, Tibbetts received a commendation from the members of the Maine House and Senate

This review board will investigate and review cases as they come in and make recommendations to the secretary of state on measures that could be taken.

Members of the board will not "assign" cases particular to the specific county in which they live.

"There have always been complaints," Tibbetts said. "But one person (the governor) cannot possibly investigate all the complaints received."

Falsifying documents, either by not checking to be sure an individual has two forms of ID, including one photo ID, or not checking the paperwork you are notarizing over, are two problem areas.

"A lot of people do not take being a notary public as seriously as they should," said Tibbetts.

Former Governor Angus King appointed Tibbetts as Dedimus Justice. She is quick to point out that many people think this position is the equivalent of a "higher-ranking notary" when it is not.

"One has nothing to do with the other," Tibbetts said. "As a Dedimus Justice you swear people into public office, like other notaries and state board members. It is a lifetime position."

For Tibbetts, a big perk of being a notary in Maine is being legally permitted to perform weddings. She has conducted about 50 ceremonies and enjoys doing it. Maine is one of only three states in the country that permit this.

One of her books is on the very "practice" and is entitled, "Wedding Magic." Tibbetts usually performs five or six per summer.

Other typical tasks for Tibbetts include oaths and acknowledgements.

Tibbetts' other book is a guidebook for Maine notaries. She is wrapping up on her third, one she describes as a "question and answer format publication to help address those "gray areas" and the "extra questions" that are part of the world of the notary public.

For more information on becoming a notary public, visit: www.maine.gov/sos/cec/notary.

Or, the next time you see Mrs. Tibbetts at the Southport Town Office, or recording the minutes for almost every official Boothbay board, ask her about it - just wait until she's finished with her notes.