Effective 2/25/22, remote notarization is now authorized in New York State, per section 135-c of the executive law.
Good news for New Yorkers! The New York State Notary Public law has been updated to allow for electronic notarizations. This means that any notary public registered with the secretary of state to perform electronic notarizations may now do so remotely, using "communication technology." As long as the notarized document can be signed with an electronic signature and the notary is located in New York when performing the notarial act, signing parties may be located outside of the state. So long as you have the right technology, this opens up a world of possibilities for remote online transactions!
This is great news for businesses and individuals who conduct a lot of transactions remotely. No longer will you have to worry about finding a notary public in your area - you can now use the services of any New York-registered notary, no matter where you are located. This new law makes it easier than ever to get your documents notarized, whether you're in New York or anywhere else in the world!
What you should know:
Verification: You may need your identification verified by a 3rd Party.
Documentation and Notary Journal: The notary will need to keep a journal entry of the notarizations.
Recording Storage: The Notary will need to keep a recording of the storage for 10 years.
Communication Technology: A notarization will take place using a secure technology like Zoom or another third party system.
Notary Certificate: The certificate will need a specific wording to indicate that a remote notarization was performed.
Location: Only the Notary needs to be located in New York State at time of notarization.
There's a bit more detail and care that goes into an online notarization but the county clerk's office is expected to accept these types of notarizations per the NYS Secretary of State's office.
If you have any questions about this new law or how it may affect your business or personal transactions, be sure to speak with an attorney or other legal professional. And if you need to find a qualified New York notary public to perform an electronic notarization, we can help! Visit our website today to learn more about our services.
Please see FAQ’s on the following websites.
What do you think of this new law? Have you ever needed to get a document notarized remotely? Let us know in the comments!