North Dakota Passes Remote Online Notarization Bill

Remote online notarizations are accepted nationwide, and people are using this service across the globe. As part of an effort to give notaries the tools to meet consumer demand, states are passing laws that allow their notaries to serve local markets as commissioned online notaries.

This year, more than 20 states have introduced this legislation. Today, we're excited to announce that North Dakota is the first state to enact RON legislation in 2019 with the signing of House Bill 1110 by Governor Doug Burgum.

According to the most recent National Notary Association notary census, that means more than 15,000 North Dakota notaries will have access to technologies to serve consumers and businesses around the world.

“North Dakota is the first state to enact RON legislation in 2019, and it won’t be the last, with nearly two dozen bills up for consideration across the country this year,” said Notarize CEO and Founder Pat Kinsel. “We’re seeing significant interest from states in the Midwest who are opting for a solution that offers year-round access to notary services - no matter the conditions. The real estate industry has been waiting for a solution like this.”

North Dakota is the latest victory in the online notarization movement. Six states approved legislation in 2018 - Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, and Vermont - while 10 other states introduced similar legislation during the latest legislative cycle.

Up until 2017, only two states had passed RON legislation. Today, nearly half the country is looking to pass similar laws, and notarizations have been completed on every continent except Antarctica.