This bill allows notaries to remotely notarize electronic documents and notarize documents for people who are not physically present. It also requires courts and states to recognize these remote notarizations as valid, even if they involve someone located outside the United States.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill allows notaries to remotely notarize electronic documents and notarize documents for people who are not physically present. It also requires courts and states to recognize these remote notarizations as valid, even if they involve someone located outside the United States.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong></strong><b>Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2023</b></p> <p>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). </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">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. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">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.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Allows notaries to remotely notarize electronic documents and notarize for people not physically present
Requires courts and states to recognize these remote notarizations as valid, including for people located outside the U.S.
Provides technical requirements for remote notarizations, such as creating video/audio recordings
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill would make it easier for people to get documents notarized without having to meet in person with a notary. This could benefit individuals and businesses who need to notarize documents remotely, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic or for those who live in rural areas. It could also help facilitate more interstate and international transactions.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Law
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
1212, 119th Congress (2025). "LOCAL Foods Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-1212
