S. 1561 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, May 1, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryAllows notaries to notarize documents remotely
A notary public is someone authorized by the state to officially witness the signing of documents. This bill lets notaries notarize electronic documents and work with people who are in different locations using video chat. It sets up technical rules for these remote notarizations, like recording the video and audio. The bill also requires courts and states to accept notarizations done by notaries from other states, as long as they involve interstate commerce.
How it affects you
If you need a document notarized, you may no longer have to meet a notary in person. Instead, you could do it from home using video chat. People who travel frequently, live in remote areas, or work across state lines could find notarization easier and faster.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, May 1, 2025)
Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2025 or the SECURE Notarization Act of 2025
This bill allows a notary public commissioned under state law to remotely notarize electronic records and perform notarizations for remotely located individuals. The bill provides technical requirements for the notarizations, including the creation and retention of video and audio recordings and the use of communication technologies (i.e., video chat).
Additionally, the bill requires U.S. courts and states to recognize notarizations—including remote notarizations of electronic records and notarizations of remotely-located individuals—that occur in or affect interstate commerce and are performed by a notary public commissioned under the laws of other states.
The bill also allows a notary public to remotely notarize electronic records involving an individual located outside of the United States, subject to certain requirements.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1561
A BILL
SECURE Notarization Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) · Introduced May 1, 2025 · Law · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 1, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”
Sections
Sections · 11
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2DefinitionsNo change
- Sec. 3Authorization to perform and minimum standards for electronic notarizationNo change
- Sec. 4Authorization to perform and minimum standards for remote notarizationNo change
- Sec. 5Recognition of notarizations in Federal courtNo change
- Sec. 6Recognition by State of notarizations performed under authority of another StateNo change
- Sec. 7Electronic and remote notarization not requiredNo change
- Sec. 8Validity of notarizations; rights of aggrieved persons not affected; State laws on the practice of law not affectedNo change
- Sec. 9Exception to preemptionNo change
- Sec. 10Standard of care; special notarial commissions; false advertisingNo change
- Sec. 11SeverabilityNo change