ALTA, More Than 100 Groups Send Letter of Support for SECURE to Senators

May 18, 2023

ALTA and a coalition of more than 100 other businesses and trade associations sent a letter to Sens. Cramer (R-N.D.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) expressing support for the for the bipartisan Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act (SECURE).

Sens. Cramer and Warner introduced S. 1212 in April. The bill has been referred to Senate Judiciary Committee. The house passed its version of the ALTA-supported SECURE Act by a voice vote in February.

SECURE would enable use of remote online notarization (RON) technology by notaries public in interstate commerce and allow signers located outside of the U.S.—such as active-duty military personnel—as well as the elderly and homebuyers with disabilities to securely notarize documents. 

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 

The letter shared results of a survey conducted by ALTA that found the use of RON increased 547% in 2020 when compared to 2019. This increase can be attributed to heightened demand for RON during the pandemic, in addition to the expansion of states with permanent law recognizing its value.

“The past few years have shown technological solutions can increase accessibility and reduce burdens for people across the United States,” the letter stated. “The federal government should provide the critical pathway to continue to leverage technology to carry out daily activities, including business transactions like notarizations, into the future while maintaining a standard of safety and security for consumers and service providers.”

SECURE was first introduced in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for social distancing and remote options for executing important life documents. It includes requirements for two-way audiovisual communication, multifactor authentication, and tamper-evident technology – critically important security standards that protect consumers.  

Currently, 44 states have enacted laws allowing permanent access to remote online notarization.


Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or communications@alta.org.