Title: "Significant Developments in 2023 Notary Laws: A Year of Unprecedented Legislative Activity"
In 2023, the landscape of Notary laws underwent substantial changes, marking one of the most active legislative sessions in recent history. With a staggering 227 Notary bills introduced, 67 of which were enacted nationwide, the year was characterized by a focus on key issues such as training, bonds, recordkeeping, and the regulation of Remote Online Notarization (RON).
Remote Notarization in 2023: Over a decade has passed since Virginia pioneered remote notarization laws in 2011. Today, more than 40 states have embraced remote notarization, leaving only three states—Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina—without permanent statutes on this front. California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts joined the ranks of states adopting remote notarization laws in 2023.
Other Noteworthy Legislative Changes: Several states implemented noteworthy Notary laws in 2023, shaping the landscape for Notaries across the country. In Alabama, a significant bill mandated training for Notaries and doubled the already highest-in-the-nation Notary surety bond from $25,000 to $50,000. To balance this, the maximum fee that Notaries could charge increased from $5 to $10.
In North Carolina, the General Assembly revisited a 2022 law, replacing the mandatory journal-keeping provision with a new law that makes journal-keeping optional. This change was crafted behind closed doors, raising concerns about limited public input on the controversial provision.
Colorado, having previously allowed interpreters for certain physical conditions in 2022, expanded this provision in 2023 to include interpreters for any document signer. The legislation also introduced safeguards to protect signers, relying parties, and Notaries, while adjusting fees for notarial acts from $5 to $15 and for remote notarizations from $10 to $25.
Ohio, which had mandated Notaries as reporters of adult abuse in 2017, revised the law in 2023. Failing to report abuse changed from a broad responsibility to a fourth-degree misdemeanor, carrying a maximum $250 fine and up to 30 days in prison.
The National Notary Association (NNA) is actively tracking this legislation, providing a comprehensive overview through its Notary law tracking map and a searchable New Notary Laws database once bills are signed into law. The developments in 2023 underscore the dynamic nature of Notary regulations across the United States.
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