House Passes Package of Bills Including ALTA-supported SECURE Notarization Act

July 28, 2022

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday night by a vote of 336-90 passed a series of bills rolled into a package that included the ALTA-supported Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic (SECURE) Notarization Act (H.R. 3962).
 
The SECURE Notarization Act would:
  • Permit immediate nationwide use of remote online notarization (RON)
  • Create national minimum standards for its use
  • Provide certainty for the interstate recognition of RON
“Today, the U.S. House took a major leap toward establishing a more modernized notarization system that doesn’t leave anyone behind,” said Diane Tomb, ALTA's chief executive officer. “Unfortunately, too many consumers and business across several states still do not have access to technology that allows them to execute critical documents remotely. This legislation is a gamechanger for homebuyers with disabilities and active-duty servicemembers stationed overseas, as well as those who need to social distance after testing positive for COVID-19 and those who cannot take time off work. We are optimistic that all consumers across the country will soon be granted permanent access to RON.”
 
The bipartisan SECURE Notarization Act was introduced in the House by Reps. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND). It has 128 cosponsors in the House. Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Mark Warner (D-VA) have introduced a companion bill in the Senate. The bill has 11 cosponsors in the Senate. 
 
The SECURE Notarization Act includes critically important security standards to protect consumers, including requirements for two-way audiovisual communication, multifactor authentication and tamper-evident technology.
 
“The leadership of Representatives Dean and Armstrong in getting this bill through the House cannot be overstated,” Tomb said. “They have been tireless in their efforts to bring this common-sense legislation forward. We are grateful for their tremendous efforts.”
 
Currently, 42 states have enacted laws allowing permanent access to remote online notarization.


Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].