NEWS / Connecticut Assembly passes bill legalizing remote online notarization

The Connecticut bicameral General Assembly, which consists of the State’s Senate and House of Representatives, has overwhelmingly approved legislation to permanently legalize the use of remote online notaries. The practice was previously authorized temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic by Governor Ned Lamont via executive order.

The bill, which has been called SB 1040, was discussed in the General Assembly, Judiciary Committee. The bill stipulates that a remote notarization can be performed when (i) the person and notary can communicate in real time by sight and sound using communication technology and (ii) the notary can reasonably identify the person during the notarization session. It is worth noting that the person would still need to physically sign the document and then mail it to the notary.

At the same time, the bill prohibits the use of remote online notarization for real estate closings; making and executing a will (including a living will), codicil, or trust; executing healthcare instructions; designating a standby guardian for a minor; as well as executing powers of attorney unless such power of attorney is limited in duration and grants the agent authority over real estate transactions.

The bill now heads to Governor Ned Lamont, who is expected to sign it into law, making the Connecticut the 47th state to legalize remote online notarization. The practice became widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many states passing temporary measures to temporarily legalizing the practice to limit in-person contact between notaries and their clients. Most US states have now fully legalized remote online notarization, although differ on whether electronic signatures are acceptable, or an electronically notarized document still needs to be signed physically.

Last August, remote online notarization was fully legalized in the State of Delaware, following a provisional pandemic-era provision akin to that of Connecticut. Currently, the only 2 states that do not allow or accept remote online notarization are California and Georgia.

A&M Logos International can notarize your document remotely as we have a registered Remote Online Notary. This service is particularly useful for individuals who are located abroad and require a US notary to notarize their document. We can also get your document apostilled or authenticated, if necessary, with expedited service available in most cases. Call us today at (212) 233-7061 or e-mail us at info@apostille.us. You may also wish to visit our website.