States In The US That Allowed Remote Notarizations During The COVID-19 Outbreak

Limiting in-person contact harmed government and business processes such as notarization. The real estate market and mortgage loan processes require a notary to verify the identity of a document signer. Conventionally, notarization is done in person. However, technological innovations allow for remote online notarization (RON) through video and other electronic methods. Third-party companies provide mobile notary services and RON technology.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only 23 states allowed some form of RON. That meant more than 55% of Americans could not access remote notarization. However, to maintain social distancing, more and more states passed laws to allow RON.

The following is a list of states that allowed remote notarization during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Alabama

An emergency proclamation by the governor of Alabama allowed licensed notaries to use video conferencing to notarize documents. The notarized documents had to be returned to the notary for certification before execution.

Arkansas

The governor of Arkansas, on March 31, 2020, issued an executive order that suspended certain guidelines in the state’s notarial lows to allow real-time video and audio methods to notarize paper documents. However, both parties have to be physically located in Arkansas.

California

The state updated its website endorsing the use of remote notarization so that residents could maintain social distancing. The laws of the state already had provisions for remote notarizations.

Colorado

The governor’s Executive Order D 2020 019, temporarily suspended the law that required notaries to appear before a notarial officer physically. Emergency rules were issued to allow remote notarization via audio-visual technology.

Connecticut

Emergency order 7K authorized the use of audio-visual technology for notarization in the state of Connecticut. The guidance issued required both parties to be physically located in the state of Connecticut.

Delaware

The Delaware state updated its website to endorse the use of remote notarization, which was already a provision under the state laws.

Florida

Florida already had laws allowing the use of remote notarization. However, in response to the COVID-19 event, the state supreme court expanded the laws to permit notaries to administer court proceedings oaths remotely.

Georgia

An executive order by the state government of Georgia allowed real-time visual and audio communication for notarization. The executive order came into effect on March 31, 2020.

Hawaii

Executive Order 20-03-30-04 by the governor of Hawaii temporarily suspended in-person notarizations in favor of RON. The state adopted rules to permit remote notarization provided, given guidelines were followed.

Idaho

Illinois

An executive order by the governor of Illinois lifted the in-person requirement for notarization. The order legalized the use of two-way audio-visual technology for notarization, provided the guidelines given by the secretary of state were followed.

Iowa

An emergency proclamation by the governor of Iowa allowed RON under guidance issued by the secretary of state, which complied with the state law regarding remote notarial acts.

Kentucky

The state of Kentucky enacted legislation SB 150 to waive the in-person requirement for notarization of documents. As such, it became possible to perform notarizations via video conference in real-time.

Louisiana

Proclamation No. 37 JBE 2020 by the governor of Louisiana lifted the state’s in-person requirement for notarization. This proclamation required the recording of the notarization process and certification from a notary officer, deeming the physical copy accurate.

Maryland

On March 30, 2020, Maryland’s governor issued an executive order that temporarily lifted the in-person requirement for notarizations. People could perform remote notarization provided they followed the guidelines given by the secretary of state.

New Hampshire

An executive order authorized the use of audio-visual technology for notarization. Conditions included the signer mailing copies of the signed documents to the notary for certification.

New Jersey

The legislature of the state of New Jersey passed a bill allowing RON. The bill was to become effective for 90 days after enactment.

New Mexico

In March 2020, New Mexico’s governor issued an executive order allowing notarization of documents via fax and other electronic means.

New York

Governor Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.7, which immediately authorized RON through audio-visual technology under given conditions. On March 31, the state secretary issued guidance clarifying that order.

North Dakota

North Dakota was also among the states allowing RON. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, the sate issued guidance regarding how notaries should perform remote notarizations. The guidance stated that the notary should notify the office of the secretary of state that they will be performing RON and provide the name of the RON service provider.

Pennsylvania

The state suspended the in-person notarization requiring all notarial acts to be conducted using audio-visual technology.

Rhode Island

On April 3, 2020, the state government of Rhode Island authorized RON under the updated Standards of Conduct.

Vermont

The state issued emergency rules that permitted RON under certain conditions for 180 days.  Guidance for these rules was issued by the secretary of state.

Washington

A proclamation issued by the governor of Washington allowed the use of RON from March 27, 2020. Remote notarization was to be used for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state also issued emergency rules for the effective implementation of the proclamation.

West Virginia

Executive order 11-20 by the governor of West Virginia suspended in-person notarization. The order stipulated emergency guidelines that allowed RON under certain updated conditions.

Wisconsin

RON in the state of Wisconsin became possible after the issuance of emergency guidance by the state’s Department of Financial Institutions. That was after the state’s legislature passed a bill allowing RON that gave the department the authority to implement and regulate remote notarization. The department also approved five RON service providers to be used by notaries in the state.

Wyoming

The state government enacted guidelines that allowed RON for the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking effect from March 24, 2020. The temporary use of RON was to end on July 1, 2020.

Do you need remote notary services? DC Mobile Notary provides mobile notary services in DC, Northern Virginia, and Southern Maryland. We provide these services by coming to where you are, be it an office, your home, or even a hospital or nursing home.

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