Are Annex Brands franchisees subject to fingerprinting when offering notary services?
Annex_Brands Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must comply with various federal, state and local laws and regulations, including copyright laws that impact the operation of your retail center franchise. Examples include: (i) USPS Regulations, including certain forms and notifications to U. S. Postmasters, such as filing a USPS Form 1583 on each mailbox customer you service, and complying with certain customer return addressing requirements; (ii) laws requiring you to accept service of process for customers in some states; (iii) inspection of scales by the local and Federal Departments of Weights and Measures; (iv) laws and regulations governing offering notary services and any state laws that may require you to be subject to fingerprinting and a competency test; (v) regulations governing Internet auctions as set forth by any state or federal agency and eBay, Inc.; (vi) laws governing the shipment and transport of hazardous substances, alcoholic beverages, firearms, lithium batteries, food, plants, agricultural products and animals; (vii) regulations governing the transportation and handling of hazardous and dangerous substances and cargo; (viii) certain air cargo restrictions instituted under various Homeland Security-related laws; (ix) laws, regulations, industry standards, and PCI Data Security standards, as required for merchants that accept payment cards and, if applicable for flex retail centers, (x) laws and regulations by state and federal agencies for moving companies, including the U .S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; and (xi) licensing requirements, rules, and tariffs governing the transportation and delivery of household goods and general commodities, both in transportation domestically and internationally. Certain services, such as Western Union, also may require fingerprinting or a bond.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 9–13)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Annex Brands Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees may be required to undergo fingerprinting depending on state laws and the specific services they offer. The FDD states that franchisees must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This includes laws and regulations governing the offering of notary services, which, in some states, may require franchisees to be subject to fingerprinting and a competency test.
This requirement is not uniform across all states, meaning that whether an Annex Brands franchisee needs to be fingerprinted depends on the specific regulations of the state in which they operate. Additionally, the FDD notes that certain services, such as Western Union, may also require fingerprinting or a bond, indicating that fingerprinting requirements can extend beyond notary services depending on the service offerings of the franchise location.
For a prospective Annex Brands franchisee, this means they must investigate the specific requirements for offering notary services and other financial services in their state. This investigation should include determining whether fingerprinting is mandated and understanding any other competency tests or bonding requirements. The franchisee should factor in the costs and time associated with these compliance measures as part of their initial investment and ongoing operational expenses.