Armstrong’s bipartisan bill seeks to update U.S. notarization process

U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) recently led more than a dozen of his colleagues in introducing a bipartisan bill to modernize the nation’s notarization process so that services may be provided remotely online.

“The pandemic highlighted the need to modernize certain activities. One of those needs can be met by remote online notarization, which offers consumers a convenient way to safely and securely complete documents,” Rep. Armstrong said on Feb. 22. “Our bipartisan bill will permit its use nationwide, increasing access to this important process.”

The congressman on Feb. 17 sponsored the Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic (SECURE) Notarization Act of 2023, H.R. 1059, which aims to allow notaries public to perform remote online notarization in interstate commerce, and to allow signers located outside of the U.S. to securely notarize documents, according to a bill summary provided by his office.

Among the 14 original cosponsors of H.R. 1059 are U.S. Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Young Kim (R-CA), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), and lead original cosponsor Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA). 

Specifically, H.R. 1059 also would authorize notaries public to perform and establish minimum standards for electronic notarizations and remote notarizations that occur in or affect interstate commerce, according to the text of the bill.

Additionally, any federal court would be required to recognize notarizations performed by a notarial officer of any state, and any state would be required to recognize notarizations performed by a notarial officer of any other state when the notarization was performed under or relates to a public act, record, or judicial proceeding of the notarial, the text says. 

“We know from the pandemic just how crucial online access is for many areas of our life, including notarization — and the SECURE Notarization Act will address the need for an updated online notarization process,” said Rep. Dean. “Our common-sense, bipartisan bill will help more people, both nationwide and those living outside of the U.S. for military service or other reasons, get their documents notarized safely and remotely. I look forward to its passage.”