Amended Law Brings Updated & Improved Online Notarization to New York

From the Big Apple to Niagara Falls, the Empire State is now ready for remote online notarization (RON)! On February 24, Governor Kathy Hochul signed A8691/S7780, which amends New York's 2021 RON law, which allows notaries in New York to perform remote online notarizations.

A8691/S7780 updates NY's RON law to require signers to undergo a multi-step identity verification process before completing an online notarization. This process is central to ensuring that everyone involved — from the notary to the consumer — is protected.

In addition to these security measures, A8691/S7780 authorizes notaries to perform RON immediately under temporary guidance, allowing notaries to take advantage of this important digital service while the New York Department of State works to establish permanent regulations and a registration process for notaries. Additionally, the Secretary of State's office published FAQs to help notaries perform RON under this new law. With A8691/S7780 signed into law, public entities and officials throughout New York should be encouraged to accept documents that have been notarized online. 

Now that RON is available to NY notaries, Notarize will complete our internal compliance check and soon launch our product in New York to help facilitate secure online notarizations.

Notarize would especially like to acknowledge and thank NY Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (Assembly District 25) and Senator James Skoufis (Senate District 39) for working with Notarize and championing the issue of online notarizations.

"For the last year, Assemblywoman Rozic and Senator Skoufis have worked tirelessly to deliver this important digital service to all New Yorkers," ​​said Nicole Booth, EVP of Public Affairs at Notarize. "Now that RON is live in New York, we look forward to continuing our partnership with the state to ensure its continued success for years to come."

“Despite the increasing notarizations that occur every year, New York law has not kept up with modernity. Notarization still required consumers to be physically present in front of a notary public, despite technological advancements,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this long overdue legislation that will allow all New Yorkers to access notarial services and provide the security they deserve.”

Since its founding, Notarize has been dedicated to working with lawmakers and regulators from across the country to help increase access to online notarization. We are proud to have a readily available team to partner with governments everywhere and look forward to continuing this work to bring online notarization to all 50 states.‍

If you have additional questions or want to get in touch with us, please contact Notarize Public Affairs: publicaffairs@notarize.com.