Washington Report

Advocacy Updates from Washington D.C.

NAR Support Letter to Representatives Dean and Armstrong Regarding Remote Online Notarization

On May 26, the National Association of REALTORS®, along with 17 other housing and real estate organizations, signed a letter of support for H.R. 3962, the Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act (SECURE Notarization Act). The SECURE Notarization Act is being spearheaded by Representatives Madeleine Dean (D-PA) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), and also enjoys the strong, bipartisan support of over 90 cosponsors.

The SECURE Notarization Act allows businesses and consumers the ability to execute critical documents using two-way audiovisual communication. Current requirements for a signer to physically be in the presence of a notary are often impractical and sometimes impossible due to social distancing constraints resulting from COVID-19, as well as other barriers including military service or work travel. Forty states have already recognized the benefits of Remote Online Notarization (RON) and passed legislation authorizing its use.

Notarizations are used extensively in real estate transactions, as well as in a variety of other important areas including affidavits, powers of attorney, living trusts, and advance health care directives, among others.

NAR's support letter to Representatives Madeleine Dean and Kelly Armstrong

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