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WashingtonHB 21582025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning electronic notarial acts.

Sponsored By: Hunter Abell (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More ways to notarize paper documents remotely

Beginning January 1, 2027, Washington electronic records notaries can notarize paper documents while the signer appears by video. When the notary has the document, the signer must identify it while it is displayed during the recording. This lets the notary acknowledge the signature remotely. When the notary does not have the document, the signer must sign it and an attached declaration during the recording. The signer must send both to the notary within three days after the notarial act. After receiving them, the notary completes a certificate stating that the signing was witnessed through communication technology. The act takes effect on the date the signer signed the declaration. For signers outside the United States, the document must concern a matter before a public official or court, or property or a transaction substantially connected to the United States. The act must also be allowed by the law where the signer is located. Washington's director can set methods for confirming paper documents used in these procedures.

Identity checks and records protect remote signers

Beginning January 1, 2027, remote appearances satisfy Washington's requirement to appear before an electronic records notary. The technology must support live sight and sound and accommodate people with vision, hearing, or speech impairments. Notaries must verify identity through personal knowledge, a credible witness's oath or affirmation, or at least two different identity-proofing methods. They must reasonably confirm that the document is the same one the signer signed or made a statement in. Each act must have an audio-and-video recording, kept for at least 10 years unless a director's rule sets another period. A storage service chosen by the notary or the notary's agent can hold the recording. Before their first remote act, notaries must notify the director of their planned technology and follow any director-set technology and identity standards. The director can set rules for remote acts, provider approval, identity checks, and recording storage, while considering national standards, other jurisdictions, and relevant officials' views. Providers that supply communication technology, identity proofing, or recording storage automatically appoint the director to receive legal papers in related Washington civil cases.

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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