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WashingtonHB 21582025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning electronic notarial acts.

Sponsored By: Hunter Abell (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Remote notarization by video allowed

Beginning January 1, 2027, Washington notaries can notarize by real‑time audio and video. The notary must confirm your identity by personal knowledge, a credible witness, or two types of identity proofing. Notaries can also give oaths and affirmations by video if they verify identity and make a recording. Every notarial certificate must state that communication technology was used.

Limits for signers outside the U.S.

Starting January 1, 2027, Washington notaries may notarize someone outside the United States only when the record is for a U.S. court, public official, or entity, or involves U.S. property or a U.S.‑connected transaction. The foreign country must also allow the act.

Record and store remote notarizations

Starting January 1, 2027, the notary or their agent must make an audio‑video recording of each remote notarization. They must keep the recording for at least ten years, unless state rules set a different period. This improves proof of what happened but may raise costs that some notaries pass on as fees.

Remote notarization for paper documents

Beginning January 1, 2027, a notary can handle paper records during a video session. If the paper is with the notary, it must be shown and identified on the recording. If the paper is with the signer, the signer must sign the paper and a declaration on video and send both to the notary within three days. After the notary receives them, the notary updates the recording and issues a certificate that references the declaration. The notarization is effective on the date the signer signed the declaration. In all cases, the notary must confirm the record signed is the same one presented.

State oversight of remote notarization tech

Beginning January 1, 2027, notaries must notify the state director before their first remote act and list the tech and ID‑proofing they will use. If the director sets standards, notaries must use approved methods. Providers that supply the tech, identity proofing, or storage for these acts appoint the director to receive legal papers for Washington lawsuits about the act. The director can set detailed rules, approve providers, set tech and identity standards, set recording‑retention periods, and require ways to confirm paper records.

Remote notarization starts January 1, 2027

The law takes effect January 1, 2027. Remote notary authority, recording, and retention rules apply on that date.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Hunter Abell

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Janice Zahn

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Kristine Reeves

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/28/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 47 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 1/29/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 1/1/2027.

    3/11/2026House

  2. Chapter 21, 2026 Laws.

    3/11/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/5/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/4/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/4/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    2/28/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/28/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/27/2026House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/25/2026House

  11. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/23/2026House

  12. LAW - Majority; do pass.

    2/23/2026House

  13. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

    2/2/2026House

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    1/29/2026House

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    1/29/2026House

  16. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    1/29/2026House

  17. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    1/27/2026House

  18. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    1/20/2026House

  19. CRJ - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/16/2026House

  20. CRJ - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/16/2026House

  21. First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.

    1/12/2026House

  22. Prefiled for introduction.

    12/16/2025House

Bill Text

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