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119-hr-1777119th CongressWALLET

SECURE Notarization Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]

Introduced

Summary

This bill creates national rules for electronic and remote notarizations and sets minimum standards for identity checks, recordings, and interstate recognition so notarized documents can move across state lines more easily. It preserves State authority to regulate notaries while forcing basic nationwide safeguards for transactions that affect interstate commerce.

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  • Families and households can complete notarized legal paperwork across state lines without in-person visits, including some overseas signings that are tied to U.S. matters. This should speed closings and other routine transactions.
  • Notaries and service providers must verify identity by personal knowledge or at least two methods, record remote notarizations with audio and video, and keep recordings for at least 5 years or 10 years if no State retention period exists. States can add standards, create special commissions, and punish false advertising.
  • Federal courts and States must recognize out-of-State notarizations in specified circumstances and treat them as presumptively genuine, while a preemption framework and the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts give States room to align with the law.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

States keep control over notaries

If enacted, States could set training, testing, and endorsements for electronic and remote notarizations. They could deny, suspend, or revoke a commission and sanction notaries for breaches. States could adopt uniform notary laws or set procedures that fit this Act without favoring a specific technology. State law would have to require keeping remote‑notary recordings at least 5 years. This would keep State control while setting a national floor.

Courts and states accept more notarizations

If enacted, federal courts would have to accept notarizations that are valid under the notary’s State law or this Act. States would also have to accept out‑of‑State notarizations tied to their public acts or to interstate commerce. A notary’s signature and title would serve as proof of genuineness and, for certain officers, conclusive authority. A missed step under this Act would not by itself void a notarization. People could still ask a court to undo a record for fraud, forgery, or lack of capacity.

Online notarization adds ID checks and recordings

If enacted, notaries could perform electronic and remote notarizations for deals that affect interstate commerce. They would need to verify identity by personal knowledge, two separate ID checks, or a credible witness. They would have to make an audio‑video recording of each remote notarization and keep it. Recordings would be kept at least the State retention period or 5 years; if the State has no rule, 10 years. Notaries could be barred if they lack a required State endorsement, are sanctioned, or use deceptive ads; a signer’s written statement could prove the notary disclosed these bans.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]

OR • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 3/3/2025

  • Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 3/3/2025

  • Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 3/4/2025

  • Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2025

  • Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 5/20/2025

  • Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 5/20/2025

  • Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 6/11/2025

  • Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 7/21/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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