December 12, 2018 – The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (2018) ("RULONA 2018"), a comprehensive act addressing every area of notarial law, has the support of two national organizations: the American Society of Notaries (ASN) and the Property Records Industry Association (PRIA).
A statement from ASN says, in part:
"The American Society of Notaries, a professional organization serving Notaries Public since 1965, congratulates the Uniform Law Commission on its thoughtfully composed 2018 updated to the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA). Our Society, an observer to the RULONA's drafting and subsequent revisions, has long supported widespread adoption of the act for these reasons. The RULONA provides a legal framework addressing every area of notarial law…. The RULONA marries notarization's traditions with present-day demands by defining paper-based and electronic documents as 'records,' authorizing a notarial officer to notarize 'records,' and applying notarial act requirements equally to notarization of tangible and electronic records."
A statement from PRIA says, in part:
"The Board of Directors of the Property Records Industry Association (PRIA) is honored to lend support to the efforts of the Uniform Law Commission to encourage the adoption of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) and the Amendment to that act, which allows for the use of Remote Online Notary (RON). PRIA salutes the Uniform Law Commission's effort to craft a model act that provides notaries the legal framework to modernize their practices in order to meet the evolving needs of businesses and consumers alike."
The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts was promulgated in 2010. Among its features, it included provisions to provide a stable infrastructure for the performance of notarial acts with respect to electronic records and signatures. Amendments to RULONA, including a new Section 14A on remote notarization, were approved by the ULC in 2018, resulting in RULONA (2018). If a state has already adopted RULONA (2010), it will update to the current version by enacting new subsection 4(c), new section 14A, and new subsection 20(c). If a state has not previously adopted RULONA (2010), it should enact RULONA (2018).
RULONA (2018) was prepared in response to a rapidly emerging trend among the states to authorize the performance of notarial acts by means of audio-visual technology. Traditionally, an individual has been required to physically appear before a notary public. In recent years, technology and commercially available identification services have made it possible to perform notarial acts for persons who are not in the physical presence of a notary public. RULONA (2018) updates RULONA (2010) by authorizing a notary public to perform notarial acts in the state in which they are commissioned for remotely located individuals using audio-visual communication technology regardless of where the individual may be located.
RULONA (2010) has been enacted in 12 states: Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia. Remote notarization laws have now passed in 9 states: Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia.
Further information on RULONA can be found at the ULC's website at www.uniformlaws.org.
About the Uniform Law Commission
The Uniform Law Commission is comprised of more than 350 practicing lawyers, governmental lawyers, judges, law professors and lawyer-legislators, who are appointed by each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to research, draft and promote enactment of uniform state laws in areas of state laws where uniformity is desirable and practical. Now in its 127th year, the ULC has provided states with over 250 uniform acts that help bring clarity and stability to critical areas of state statutory law.
About the American Society of Notaries
Established in 1965, the American Society of Notaries is foremost in notary education, technical support and supply for the notary in America. The American Society of Notaries is the first national nonprofit association for notaries public in the United States. The American Society of Notaries is dedicated to providing its members with education, professional service and technical support; promoting high ethical standards; and increasing public awareness of notaries' valuable contributions.
About the Property Records Industry Association
The Property Records Industry Association (PRIA) develops and promotes national standards and best practices for the land records industry. PRIA strives to achieve its mission by: identifying appropriate opportunities for collaboration among industry stakeholders; developing recommendations for standards and best practices; encouraging and supporting the adoption of such standards and practices; providing a clearinghouse for property records related information; educating members, industry stakeholders and the public about the property records industry.
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Contact: Katie Robinson, ULC Communications Officer, krobinson@...
Uniform Law Commission / 111 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 1010, Chicago, IL 60602 / 312-450-6600 / www.uniformlaws.org
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Katie Robinson
Legislative Program Director
Chicago IL
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