Federal and state governments work quickly to enable remote online notarization to meet global crisis

General / RON Resources

Posted on January 12, 2021
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As more businesses are forced to work remotely due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, several federal and state governments are moving quickly to enable fully electronic processes to keep businesses operating.

On March 18, 2020, Senate Bill 3533, the Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2020 (the “SECURE Act”), was introduced as bipartisan legislation to authorize and establish minimum standards for electronic and remote notarizations that occur in or affect interstate commerce. A substantially identical version of the bill was introduced in the House on March 23, 2020 as H.R.6364. If the SECURE Act becomes law in its current form, it would authorize every notary in the US to perform remote online notarizations (RON) using audio-visual communications and tamper-evident technology in connection with interstate transactions.

Until adoption of the SECURE Act or similar federal legislation takes place, some federal agencies are implementing relief on a case-by-case basis. On June 3, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 2020-42 allowing retirement plan participants or beneficiaries during the year 2020 to meet the witnessing requirements for certain participant elections through use of remote notarization, including the spousal consent required under § 417 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under existing regulations, some participant elections must be witnessed in the “physical presence” of a plan representative or a notary public. Notice 2020-42 allows the “physical presence” requirement to be satisfied, in the case of a notary public, by an electronic system that uses remote notarization via live audio-video technology so long as that system otherwise satisfies the requirements of participant elections under 26 CFR § 1.401(a)-21(d)(6) and is consistent with state law requirements that apply to the notary public. [updated July 31].

Currently, there are 28 states that have enacted some form of remote online notarization (RON) law: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota*, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. [updated October 22].

UPDATE [November 5] – On October 29, Pennsylvania became the 29th state to enact remote online notarization (HB2370). The law became effective upon enactment.

The basic components of each state’s RON law are to:

  • Allow notarial acts to be completed using audio-video communication, including acts where the signer is located outside the state in which the notary is authorized to operate;
  • Require that the notary authenticate the person signing; and
  • Require recording of the audio-video communication.*

The state RON laws are very detailed and vary with respect to, among other things, authentication, journaling and retention periods. (* The South Dakota RON law differs substantially from the others in that it enables the use of communication technology only “if the notarial officer: … affixes the notarial officer’s signature to the original tangible document executed by the [principal]” and only if the notary personally knows the principal.)

In states that have yet to enact RON or otherwise make their RON law effective, emergency short-term measures are being issued. The below chart reviews each state and any RON law and/or emergency order enacted in such state:

  • Alabama – On March 26, the Governor of Alabama issued a fourth supplemental state-of-emergency Proclamation which allows notaries who are licensed attorneys, or are operating through licensed attorneys, to use videoconferencing programs to notarize signatures and confirm the signatures of witnesses, and all documents must be returned to the notary for certification and execution; on April 2, the Governor issued a fifth supplemental state-of-emergency Proclamation, updating the prior Proclamation to permit all Alabama notices to notarize tangible paper documents using videoconferencing under specific guidelines [updated May 5].
  • Alaska – On April 10, Alaska enacted SB241, which allows a will testator and witnesses to appear before a notary using audio video conferencing; on April 30, Alaska enacted bill HB124 enabling remote online notarization in the state [updated May 5];
  • Arizona -On April 8, the Governor of Arizona issued Executive Order 2020-26, making immediately effective Arizona’s RON laws (A.R.S. § 41-371, et seq., effective July 1) and guidance enabling remote online notarization in the state;
  • Arkansas – On March 30, the Governor of Arkansas issued Executive Order 20-12, as amended by Executive Order 20-14 issued April 9 (and extended by Executive Order 20-37 to August 17 and Executive Order 20-45 to October 13, and Executive Order 20-48 to December 12, and Executive Order 20-51 to December 31, and Executive Order 20-53 to March 1, 2021), which suspends certain provisions of Arkansas notarial laws to enable certain types of notaries public (i) to meet the in-person requirement using real-time audio and visual means to notarize paper documents, as well as, (ii) when serving as an eNotary under Arkansas law, to use real-time audio and visual means to meet the in-person requirement when notarizing electronic documents, provided that, in each case, the notary and the signer are both physically located in Arkansas at the time of signing, among other conditions [updated January 4];
  • California – No RON or COVID-19 enactment to date; the California Secretary of State website endorses its residents’ use of mobile California notaries and does not permit remote notarizations [updated May 5];
  • Colorado – On March 27, the Governor of Colorado issued Executive Order D 2020 019(extended through April 30 by Executive Order D 2020 030 and through May 30 by Executive Order D 2020-047 and through June 28 by Executive Order D 2020-087), temporarily suspending the requirement to appear personally before notarial officers to perform notarizations, and the Secretary of State has issued temporary emergency rules and guidance to permit notarial officers to perform remote notarizations using real-time audio-video communication; the Executive Orders expired on June 28, 2020; however, Colorado enacted SB20-096 which, in addition to implementing RON in the state effective December 31, 2020, endorsed the continued use of audio-video communication to perform remote notarial acts until December 31, 2020, and the Secretary of State adopted Notary Program Rules on June 26, and updated such Rules on October 15, continuing remote notarization on a temporary basis; the Secretary of State adopted new temporary Rules effective December 31, which regulations will become permanently effective 20 days after publication in the Colorado Register [updated January 4].
  • Connecticut – On March 23, the Governor of Connecticut issued Executive Order 7K, immediately authorizing notarial acts to be performed on tangible paper documents utilizing audio-visual technology for persons physically located in Connecticut under certain conditions, and on March 30 issued Executive Order 7Q, which supersedes Order 7K and adds provisions allowing attorneys to remotely administer a self-proving affidavit to a will (extended on June 16 for the duration of the public health emergency by Executive Order 7ZZ) [updated June 17];
  • Delaware – On April 15, the Governor of Delaware issued an Eleventh Modification of the Declaration of a State of Emergency for the State of Delaware which enables the use of audio-visual technology for signers and notaries located in Delaware using identity verification by an attorney; however, the Delaware Secretary of State updated its website to include an endorsement of its residents’ use of remote notarization capabilities under the laws of states which permit remote notarizations; on July 16, Delaware enacted SB247 which continues remote notarization under the Governor’s order through June 30, 2021 [updated July 24];
  • District of Columbia – On May 13, the Mayor signed Bill 23-750 to add remote online notary provisions to the District’s version of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts and Bill 23-757 signed on May 27 (Bill 23-759 signed on June 8 further modified and extended the resolution through September 6, Bill 23-869 signed on August 19 further modified and extended the resolution through November 17, and Bill 23-0758 signed on July 7 extended the resolution through May 21, 2021); however, the Mayor’s office has not issued the required guidance to enable remote notarizations in the District [updated January 4];
  • Florida – Florida enacted RON effective January 1, with the execution of wills and estate planning documents using RON effective July 1;
  • Georgia – On March 31, the Governor of Georgia issued an Executive Order allowing the use of real-time audio-visual communication technology to meet the requirement for physical presence before a notary public with respect to real estate documents, and on April 9 issued another Executive Order generally allowing remote notarization and attestation of documents during the COVID-19 emergency by notaries practicing under the supervision of a Georgia attorney, and the State Bar of Georgia issued general best practices under such order [updated January 4]; and on March 27, the Georgia Supreme Court issued an Order temporarily suspending the attorney Rules of Professional Conduct requirements for in person attendance at real estate closings, and enabling Georgia attorneys to participate in real estate closings using audio-video conferencing;
  • Hawaii – On March 29, the Governor of Hawaii issued Executive Order 20-02 temporarily suspending the in-person requirement for notarizations and adopting rules enabling the use of audio-video technology to notarize paper documents (such rules extended and modified by Fourteenth Proclamation dated October 13 and further amended by Fifteenth Proclamation dated November 23 to enable remote witnessing of wills – extended through February 14, 2021 by Seventeenth Proclamation); and on September 15 Hawaii enacted RON effective January 1, 2021 [updated January 4];
  • Idaho – Idaho enacted RON effective January 1;
  • Illinois – On March 26, the Governor of Illinois issued Executive Order No. 14 (extended by Executive Order No. 33 and approved by the legislature on June 12 in SB2135) waiving the in-person requirement for notarial acts, provided that the notarial act is performed in accordance with guidance issued by the Secretary of State, and allowing any act of witnessing required by Illinois law to be completed by two-way audio-visual communication, with conditions; Illinois further enacted SB1857 on June 26 creating a notarization Task Force on Best Practices and Standards to Implement Electronic Notarization [updated June 30];
  • Indiana – Indiana adopted RON effective July 1, 2019. On March 31, the Governor issued Executive Order 20-15 which allowed for the retroactive application of agency regulations, and the Secretary of State promulgated regulations retroactively effective as of March 31 [updated April 28];
  • Iowa – On March 22, the Governor of Iowa issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency (extended through June 25 by Proclamation issued May 26, and extended through July 1 by Proclamation issued June 25) which enabled Iowa notaries to perform remote online notarizations in accordance with guidance of the Iowa Secretary of State and compliance with section 6 of Iowa Senate bill SF475 regarding notarial acts performed for remotely located individuals (which became effective July 1); the June 25 Proclamation (extended through August 20 by Proclamation dated July 24, extended through September 20 by Proclamation issued August 21, extended through October 18 by Proclamation issued September 18, extended through November 15 by Proclamation issued October 16, extended through December 10 by Proclamation issued November 10, extended through January 8, 2021 by Proclamation issued December 9) authorized remote witnessing for legal documents by testators, settlors, principals, witnesses and other persons [updated January 4];
  • Kansas – On April 9, Governor of Kansas issued Executive Order 20-20 (extended through May 31 by Executive Order 20-28, through June 13 by Executive Order 20-40, through September 15 by Executive Order 20-49), and through January 26, 2021 by Executive Order 20-64) temporarily allowing notaries to utilize audio-video communication technology with respect to signers and witnesses’ execution of paper documents, including deeds, wills and powers of attorney, and on June 8 enacted HB 2016 to ensure the validity of such remotely notarized acts [updated September 18];
  • Kentucky – On March 30, Kentucky enacted legislation (SB 150) which waives any state in-person requirement for notarizations, enabling notarizations to be performed via video teleconference in real time and permitting such paper documents to be signed or notarized in counterparts; and the state enacted RON effective January 1 for both electronic and tangible paper documents [updated April 28];
  • Louisiana – On March 26, the Governor of Louisiana issued Proclamation No. 37 JBE 2020 (extended by Proclamation No. 41 JBE 2020 which expired without renewal on April 30) waiving the state’s in-person appearance requirement and enabling notarizations using audio-visual technology, with certain exclusions for the execution of trusts and other instruments, and requiring the recordation of such notarized instruments with a certification from the notary that the tangible copy is accurate and, on June 9, the legislature enacted HB122 to ratify and validate remote notarizations conducted during the pandemic; and, on June 11, Louisiana enacted HB274 to implement remote online notarization in the state effective upon the earlier enactment of the federal SECURE Notarization Act or February 1, 2022 [updated September 18];
  • Maine – On April 8, the Governor of Maine issued Executive Order 37 to temporarily enable the use of two-way audio-video communication technology to perform nearly all notarial acts, including estate planning instruments, using paper instruments in accordance with certain restrictions;
  • Maryland – On March 30, the Governor of Maryland issued Executive Order number 20-03-30-04, temporarily waiving the in-person requirement for notarizations and allowing notarizations utilizing communication technology (amended and restated on September 29 by Executive Order 20-09-29-01 to address remote notarization of only estate and trust documents), subject to guidance of the Secretary of State; on March 18, the Maryland Court of Appeals enacted an administrative order expressly accepting electronic records and signatures, and electronic notarial acts, created in accordance with the Maryland UETA for filing in land records in those counties utilizing the Simplifile application; and Maryland enacted RON effective October 1, 2020 and issued regulations effective October 5, 2020 [updated October 5];
  • Massachusetts – On April 23, Massachusetts enacted S.2645 authorizing notaries to perform remote ink notarizations during the Governor’s declaration of a state-of-emergency [updated May 5];
  • Michigan – [UPDATE] – On October 2, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the Governor lacked constitutional authority to extend the state of emergency in Michigan after April 30, and that all executive orders issued after that date are legally invalid. On October 4, the Michigan Attorney General stated that the AG will no longer enforce the executive orders through criminal prosecution. In response, on November 5 Michigan enacted HB6297 which enables remote notarization performed between April 30, 2020 and January 1, 2021, enacted HB6294 which enables remote notarization on estate and trust documents during the same period, and enacted HB6296 which requires registers of deeds and financial institutions to accept electronic documents notarized during that same period. [updated November 12]. On April 8, the Governor of Michigan issued Executive Order 2020-41 (expanded and extended to June 30 by Executive Order 2020-74, rescinded and expanded in Executive Order 2020-131 to July 31, rescinded and expanded in Executive Order 2020-158 to August 31, rescinded and extended to September 30 by Executive Order 2020-173, and rescinded and extended to October 31 by Executive Order 2020-187) temporarily waiving strict compliance with UETA and Michigan notarial laws by governmental agencies and the general public to enable electronic notarizations and allow remote electronic notarizations utilizing two-way real-time audiovisual technology, and the Secretary of State has issued guidance; and Michigan enacted RON effective September 20, 2018 [updated October 5];
  • Minnesota – Minnesota enacted RON effective January 1, 2019; on October 21, Minnesota enacted HF 15 which suspends the requirement of personal appearance and enables remote notarizations for persons located within the state during the public health emergency and for 60 days thereafter, and automatically expires January 6, 2021 [updated November 5].
  • Mississippi – On April 6, the Governor of Mississippi issued Executive Order 1467, temporarily suspending the in-person requirement and enabling notarizations to be performed using simultaneous audio-video communication technology on paper or electronic documents for the duration of the COVID 19 event plus 14 days, and the Secretary of State has issued related guidance;
  • Missouri – On April 6, the Governor of Missouri issued Executive Order 20-08 (extended through June 15 by Executive Order 20-10 further extended to August 28 by Executive Order 20-12, which expired without renewal) authorizing audio-video technology to be used to satisfy the in-person requirement for notarial acts for both paper and electronic documents, including wills, trusts and powers of attorney, provided that certain conditions are met, and the Secretary of State has issued guidance; on September 3 the Governor of Missouri issued Executive Order 20-14 enabling the remote notarization of estate and trust documents through December 30; on July 6 Missouri enacted RON to be implemented upon the Secretary of State’s approval of RON software for use in the state and emergency rules for RON became effective September 15; [updated October 5];
  • Montana – Montana enacted RON effective May 4, 2015, which was updated effective October 1, 2019, and which also enables remote notarization as well as RON; and, effective April 8, the Montana Secretary of State adopted emergency rules allowing flexibility with the appearance of notarial stamp when used on RON acts [updated September 25];
  • Nebraska – On April 1, the Governor of Nebraska issued Executive Order No. 20-13, immediately enabling LB 186 (effective July 1) to implement remote online notarizations in the state, and the Secretary of State issued on April 2 Emergency Regulations [updated April 28];
  • Nevada – Nevada enacted RON effective July 1, 2018;
  • New Hampshire – On March 23, the Governor of New Hampshire issued Emergency Order #11 to Executive Order 2020-4 which authorizes notarial acts using audio-visual technology, provided that the signer mails a copy of the signed documents to the notary for certification and the official date and time of notarization shall be the witnessing of the signature using the audio-visual technology; on July 17 New Hampshire enacted HB1249 adopting remote video notarization of estate planning documents during the state of emergency, applying to wills, trusts and powers of attorney executed on or after March 23 and ending on the last day of the state of emergency under Executive Order 2020-4 [updated July 24];
  • New Jersey – On April 14, New Jersey enacted AB 3903, enabling remote online notarization in the state for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services issued related guidance [updated June 2];
  • New Mexico – On March 30, the Governor of New Mexico issued Executive Order 2020-15 (replaced by Executive Order 2020-39 issued June 11 and in effect until rescinded), directing the Notary Compliance and Enforcement Unit to not recommend any discipline for any notary public performing a notarial act using audio-video technology, and notarizing a legible copy of the signed document delivered by the signer either by fax or electronic means, and the Secretary of State has issued guidance [updated June 17];
  • New York – On March 19, the Governor of New York issued Executive Order 202.7 (extended by Executive Order 202.14, further extended through June 6 by Executive Order 202.28, further extended through July 6 by Executive Order 202.38, further extended through August 5 by Executive Order 202.48, further extended through September 4 by Executive Order 202.55 and by Executive Order 202.551, further extended through October 4 by Executive Order 202.60, further extended through November 3 by Executive Order 202.67, further extended through December 3 by Executive Order 202.72, further extended through January 1 by Executive Order 202.79, further extended through January 29 by Executive Order 202.87) immediately authorizing notarial acts to be performed utilizing audio-visual technology under certain conditions and on March 31 the New York Secretary of State issued updated guidance clarifying that order, including allowing signatories to sign using electronic signatures in accordance with the New York Electronic Signatures and Records Act, provided that the notary witnesses the electronic signature [updated January 4];
  • North Carolina – On May 4, North Carolina enacted S.704 which allows notaries to perform an “emergency video notarization” using video conference technology on tangible paper documents under certain requirements until August 1, and on July 1 North Carolina enacted H1023 which extended the application of S.704 through March 1, 2021, and the Secretary of State has provided guidance [updated August 21];
  • North Dakota – North Dakota enacted RON effective March 8, 2019; and the Secretary of State has updated its website to provide guidance [updated May 5];
  • Ohio – Ohio enacted RON effective September 18, 2019;
  • Oklahoma – Oklahoma enacted RON effective January 1;
  • Oregon – On June 30, Oregon enacted HB4212, adopting remote online notarization in the state until June 30, 2021, and the Secretary of State has issued guidance, updated the state’s notary guide and adopted regulations supporting remote online notarization [updated July 7];
  • Pennsylvania – On April 20, Pennsylvania enacted SB841 (Act 15) to enable remote online notarization in the state with respect to all documents, in tangible or electronic form, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Department of State issued related guidance, which replaces prior announcements and guidance; Pennsylvania enacted RON effective October 29 and uploaded guidance on the Department of State website [updated November 12];
  • Rhode Island – Effective April 3, the Rhode Island Secretary of State and the Governor have authorized remote online notarization in accordance with guidance of the Secretary of State, updated Standards of Conduct and the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-30.1 [updated April 21];
  • South Carolina – No RON or COVID enactment to date;
  • South Dakota – South Dakota enacted its extremely limited version of RON effective March 18, 2019 (see * above);
  • Tennessee – On April 8 , the Tennessee Governor issued Executive Order 26 (extended through May 30, and further extended to June 30 by Executive Order 37, further extended to August 29 by Executive Order 52, further extended to September 30 by Executive Order 61, further extended to October 30 by Executive Order 64, further extended to December 29 by Executive Order 66, further extended to February 27 by Executive Order 72), expanding the use of remote notarization and witnessing on certain estate planning documents, which must be in tangible, paper form; and Tennessee enacted RON effective July 1, 2019 [updated January 4];
  • Texas – On April 8, the Governor of Texas suspended various laws to the extent necessary to allow for appearance before a notary public via teleconference to execute tangible paper documents, including those related to the execution of self-proved wills and medical powers of attorney (suspension extended through the duration of the disaster)[DLA1]; The Governor also suspended the in-person requirement for notarization to enable remote notarization in Texas, which suspension was extended through the duration of the disaster, and the Office of the Attorney General issued guidance [updated November 5]; Texas enacted RON effective July 1, 2018;
  • Utah – Utah enacted RON effective November 1, 2019;
  • Vermont – The Vermont Secretary of State issued emergency administrative rules permitting remote notarization of tangible paper documents under certain restrictions for 180 days to address the COVID-19 event (which rules were extended through March 19, 2021) and guidance under such rules;
    Vermont further enacted SB114 on April 28, enabling the witnessing of a power of attorney to be conducted under the emergency administrative rules and filed in land records and enacted SB316 the same day to enable execution of self-proving wills using remote notarization; and Vermont enacted its RON law effective July 1, 2019; however, RON is not yet implemented due to the failure of the Vermont Secretary of State to issue regulations and guidance [updated October 5];
  • Virginia enacted RON effective July 1, 2011 [updated May 5];
  • Washington – On March 26, the Governor of Washington issued Proclamation 20-27 (extended to May 4 by Proclamation 20-27.1, extended to May 31 by Proclamation 20-27.2, extended through June 17 by Proclamation 20-27.3, extended through July 1 by Proclamation 20-27.4) and extended through August 1 by Proclamation 20-27.5, and extended through September 1 by Proclamation 20-27.6, and extended through September 30 by Proclamation 20-27.7), making remote online notarization immediately effective in Washington under SB5641 (effective October 1) for the duration of the COVID 19 event, and the Washington Department of Labor issued emergency rules to implement the Proclamation; and Washington enacted RON effective October 1 [updated September 5];
  • West Virginia – On March 25, the Governor of West Virginia issued Executive Order 11-20 suspending the in-person requirement for notarizations and, on March 27, the Secretary of State adopted emergency rules enabling remote online notarization under certain conditions (which rules were amended on March 31);
  • Wisconsin – On March 18, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions issued emergency guidance immediately authorizing remote online notarizations in the state and published emergency rules effective May 9 [updated June 2]; and Wisconsin enacted RON in AB125 effective May 1; and
  • Wyoming – On March 24, the Wyoming Secretary of State issued guidance allowing remote online notarization during the COVID event, updated such guidance on June 26 and on December 31 to run through July 1, 2021 [updated January 4].

Moreover, Fannie Mae has issued updated guidance to lenders on addressing mortgage origination issues during the COVID-19 event, including authorizing lenders to sell loans with remotely notarized loan documents in certain designates states and under specified conditions. Fannie Mae also issued on April 14 guidance on “Remote-ink notarizations” authorized by emergency order [updated April 21], and on July 1 issued a COVID-19 FAQ providing updated information on states enacting remote online notarization or other remote notarization implementations during the COVID-19 pandemic [updated July 24]. Freddie Mac issued its own guidance to sellers on the impact of COVID-19 on borrowers and the mortgage origination process which includes guidance related to acceptable uses of remote online notarizations, and has issued a COVID-19 FAQ. On August 27, Freddie Mac updated its guidance to modify the requirements for maintenance of RON recording to the longer of 10 years or the time period specified in the RON laws of the state of the notary’s commission [updated September 5]. All of the above guidance has been regularly updated by Fannie and Freddie in the above-provided hyperlinks [updated November 5].

Additionally, on April 21, MISMO, a mortgage industry standards organization, announced a new remote online notarization certification program for RON providers and mortgage industry participants. The cost to obtain certification is $5,000 [updated April 28]. MISMO also developed and released Remote Online Notarization standards to promote consistency across mortgage industry practices [updated July 24]. The MISMO RON standards support model legislation developed by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and the American Land Title Association (ALTA) [updated November 5].

Further, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, Chicago Title Insurance Company, Alamo Title Insurance, National Title Insurance of New York and Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company released a bulletin on March 18 titled “Emergency Exemptions to Remote Online Notarization Procedures” that allows RON to be available, provided certain requirements are met, as an option for properties located in all states and the District of Columbia with a proposed policy amount of $1 million or less (and for higher amounts on a case-by-case basis). This emergency exemption will be available through April 30, 2020.

Additionally, on March 27, the Veterans Benefits Administration issued Circular 26-20-10 (updated on April 27 by change 1 [updated July 24]), making VA loans for which electronic notarization was used as a part of an eClosing, including IPEN and RON, eligible for guaranty provided that the notarization is valid and effective under applicable law and regulations.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has applauded the efforts of the states and other agencies to adopt and implement IPEN and RON during the COVID-19 crisis and, on March 27, requested the Conference of State Bank Supervisors to “secure additional flexibilities, wherever possible, to facilitate the full functioning of the real estate mortgage market within the confines of the President’s directives to avoid public interactions whenever possible.”

On May 13, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published a compliance aid titled “Open-End (not Home-Secured) Rules FAQs related to the COVID-19 Pandemic” that, in part, addresses engaging with consumers electronically during COVID-19. Specifically, the CFPB states that creditors may be able to expedite consumer communication by using electronic means to deliver required disclosures so long as the creditor complies with ESIGN’s consumer consent provisions. The CFPB notes that ESIGN does not allow a consumer to provide oral consent, but that “creditors could obtain a consumer’s email address over the phone and contact the consumer through the provided email address to obtain consent by, for example, providing a hyperlink through which a consumer might agree to electronic disclosure.”

Other notarial acts are also being made available on a remote basis using audio-visual communication technology, such as the swearing-in of witnesses (see Supreme Court of Florida Administrative Order No. AOSC20-16), and the general conduct of court proceedings (see Pennsylvania Supreme Court Order dated March 16).

Source: https://www.dlapiper.com/en/us/insights/publications/2020/03/coronavirus-federal-and-state-governments-work-quickly-to-enable-remote-online-notarization/