All Roll Calls
Yes: 138 • No: 0
UtahS.B. 1392026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Notary Amendments
Sponsored By: Calvin R. Musselman (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Public Utilities and TechnologyGovernment Operations (State Issues)Notarization and AuthenticationConstitutional OfficersLieutenant Governor
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
Remote notarization with stronger ID checks
Remote notarization is allowed and counts the same as appearing in person. The remote notary must be physically in Utah. The notary must see and hear you live by audio and video. You must send a clear image of an unexpired government ID or passport. The notary also runs a second ID check, like security questions or a biometric check, under state rules. Each remote session is recorded (audio and video) and stored securely. You can prove identity with an unexpired government ID that shows your photo, signature, and description, a passport, or a credible witness.
New journal rules for notaries
Beginning May 6, 2026, new-commissioned notaries must keep a bound paper journal for in‑person acts and a secure e‑journal for remote acts. Each entry must list the date and time, act type, document title, signer name and address, ID details, and fees. For remote acts, record the second ID check and keep the electronic recording with the journal. You may make one entry for several acts for the same person at the same time. A signer’s journal signature is not needed if a recent act was done within 180 days, you personally know them, it is an ordinary-course act for an employer or coworker, or the remote signature is captured. Keep journals and remote recordings for 10 years, then destroy them, including backups. Remote journals and recordings must be secured and backed up; repositories may access only to finish, store, or by court order. If you are employed by an attorney, law firm, or title agency, the employer owns the records and you do not keep a personal journal for work acts; the lieutenant governor cannot inspect those.
Crime for tampering with notary tools
It is a class B misdemeanor to use, forge, take, access, hide, damage, destroy, or alter a notary’s signature, seal, certificate, journal, equipment, or recordings without authority. If a notary finds interference, loss, damage, or destruction, they must notify police right away and send written notice to the lieutenant governor with required details using an approved delivery method.
Clear limits on notary powers
Notaries may perform only jurats, acknowledgments, signature witnessing, copy certifications, and oaths or affirmations. They may not perform other acts. A notary may act only when the person is in the notary’s presence, unless the remote‑notarization rules are followed.
Privacy and access to notary records
The lieutenant governor may inspect journals and remote recordings to check compliance or authenticity. During business hours, you can request a specific journal entry if you prove your identity, give the entry details, and sign; only that entry may be shared. A notary may refuse a request if they reasonably believe it is for criminal or harmful intent. Notary journals and remote recordings are not public records under GRAMA. Biometric data and ID images from a remote notarization cannot be released unless you give written consent, a court orders it, or the lieutenant governor requests it.
Seal and e‑signature rules for notaries
Seals must be sharp, legible, and placed near your signature. They must show your name as commissioned, “notary public,” “state of Utah,” your commission number and expiration, a great seal image, and fit within a 1"×2.5" box. In‑person seals must be purple; remote seals are shown in black. For remote acts, attach the electronic signature and seal so later changes are visible. An electronic certificate is valid without a seal if the document shows your name and commission number and the required words and expiration. When you resign, expire, or are revoked, you must destroy your seal; if you were a remote notary, also destroy electronic credentials and certify that in writing to the lieutenant governor within 10 days.
State sets standards, rules start 2026
The director of elections sets technical standards for electronic notarization systems, ID data sources, security questions, biometrics, and electronic seals under Utah’s rulemaking process. All changes in this law take effect May 6, 2026.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Calvin R. Musselman
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Jake Sawyer
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 65 • No: 0
House vote • 2/25/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/17/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/6/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/26/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
2/26/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/25/2026House/ to standing committee
2/24/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/23/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/23/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/23/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/23/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/20/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute #2
2/17/2026
Substitute #1
2/2/2026
Introduced
1/14/2026
Related Bills
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in