Updated Law Brings Improved Online Notarization to Vermont

The Green Mountain State is ready for remote online notarization (RON). Four years after Vermont first passed RON, Governor Phil Scott signed H 512 on June 2, 2022, expanding the state's existing law to bring RON to the state's notaries.

Notarize applauds and thanks Governor Scott, Secretary of State Jim Condos, and the Vermont General Assembly for their efforts to update and expand the state's approach to RON and deliver the same benefits that the notaries of over 30 states have been able to experience.

Vermont's RON law will become effective on July 1, 2022. Like other states, Vermont's Secretary of State is permitted to establish new regulations and processes for notaries. Vermont's notaries will be required to obtain a special commission endorsement from the Secretary of State before performing RON. Please refer to the Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation for more information over the coming months.

Vermont originally authorized RON in 2018 through H 526. At the time, RON was still a relatively new concept, and only seven states had previously authorized it. As an early adopter, Vermont took a different approach to what we often see today, leaving much of the implementation up to the Secretary of State and including limited guidance in the law itself. At the time, the Secretary of State chose not to implement the legislation. After several years of successful implementation across more than 30 states, it's clear that RON is a proven concept that is here to stay. Earlier this year, the Secretary of State's office embraced reforming the state's RON law and testified in full support of H 512, opening the door to RON in Vermont.

Online notarization allows notaries to expand their services outside of just the areas they call home. This new law means that notaries in Vermont will be able to serve residents that live across the state, especially those in rural communities. Increased access to notarial services for residents throughout Vermont means that Vermonters will have reliable access to a notary during life's most important moments whenever they happen and wherever they may be. Residents can access these services from computers, tablets, and even smartphones. Anyone with a strong cellular signal or a reliable internet connection can connect to a notary.

Notarize continues to work with lawmakers and regulators across the country to help increase access to online notarization. We are proud to have a team that is readily available 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 would like to get in touch with us, please contact Notarize Public Affairs: publicaffairs@notarize.com.