When the governor signed Senate Bill 841 into law yesterday, one of its provisions is for the remote notarization of all documents. Effective immediately, remote notarization will be permitted during the COVID-19 emergency and for 60 days following expiration of the disaster emergency.

Under the bill, notaries wishing to perform remote notarizations must use a Department of State-approved communication and identity proofing technology.

This bill supersedes the March 25 and April Department of State orders allowing for remote notarization of some documents during the COVID-19 emergency.

Senate Bill 1097, pending in the General Assembly, would adopt remote notarization on a permanent basis. PAN will keep our members updated on any further changes in the law regarding remote notarization of documents in Pennsylvania.