California 2017-2018 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB2368 Compare Versions

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1-Amended IN Assembly May 25, 2018 Amended IN Assembly April 19, 2018 Amended IN Assembly March 23, 2018 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2368Introduced by Assembly Member CalderonFebruary 14, 2018 An act to add Section 1181.1 to the Civil Code, and to add the heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) to, and to add Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) to, Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of, the Government Code, relating to notaries public. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2368, as amended, Calderon. California Online Notary Act of 2018.Existing law authorizes the Secretary of State to appoint and commission notaries public in the number the Secretary of State deems necessary for the public convenience. Existing law authorizes notaries public to act as notaries in any part of the state.This bill would enact the California Online Notary Act of 2018, and, commencing on July 1, 2019, January 1, 2020, would allow a notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public to register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public, and would require the Secretary of State to develop an application for registration and establish rules to implement the act. act on or before January 1, 2020. The bill would authorize the Secretary of State to establish a fee for an application for registration as an online notary public. The bill would authorize an online notary public to perform notarial acts, and online notarizations by means of audio-video communication. The bill would establish various requirements applicable to an online notary public, including requiring an online notary public to keep one or more secure electronic journals to record online notarial acts, requiring an electronic notarial certificate to be a specified form, and requiring an online notary public to destroy certain information upon termination of a commission, as specified. The bill would make it a misdemeanor for any person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or seal. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also make other conforming changes.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 1181.1 is added to the Civil Code, to read:1181.1. Section 1181 shall not be construed to authorize any person other than an online notary public authorized by the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to take proofs or acknowledgments by means of appearances using two-way audio and video communication technology.SEC. 2. The heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 1. Notaries PublicSEC. 3. Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 2. California Online Notary Act of 20188231. This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the California Online Notary Act of 2018.8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources. (d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.(e) Electronic record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by the online notary public and contains all of the following:(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.(2) The facts attested to by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic record.(i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources. (j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.(k) Online notarization and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.(m) Principal means an individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.(n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.8231.2. This article applies to online notarizations. To the extent that a provision of this article conflicts with Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), this article controls with respect to an online notarization.8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. article on or before January 1, 2020. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register public, or an applicant during the commissioning of an applicant for appointment as a notary public, may apply for registration with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.(2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.(3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:(A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.(B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.(C) The applicants email address.(b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.(3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal reappointment thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.(B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.(C) The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study. If the Secretary of State does not provide an online notary public education course of study, the Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.(c) An online notary public shall notify the Secretary of State when he or she applies to be appointed as a notary public, seeks reappointment, or enters into a new contract as to which third-party vendor online notarization platform he or she is registered with or will be using.8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations provided in this article.(c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:(1) In this state.(2) Outside this state but within the United States.(3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.(d) (1) A requirement that a principal appear before or in the presence of the online notary public may be satisfied by means of audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article.(2) Audio-visual communications with an online notary public meets the requirements of this article if it consists of continuous, synchronous audio and video feeds with adequate clarity such that all participants can be clearly seen and understood at all times. The online notary public may terminate the session at their discretion if, in the online notary publics judgment, the adequacy of communications is insufficient for all participants to be clearly seen and understood at all times.(e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature. 8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep one or more secure electronic journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public pursuant to this article.(b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.(c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:(1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.(2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.(3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.(4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.(6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:(A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.(B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.(C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.(7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.(d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.(e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.(f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.(g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal reappointment within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:(1) The name of the online notary public.(2) The Great Seal of the State of California. (2)(3) The words Online Notary Public.(3)(4) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.(5) The date the notary publics commission expires. (4)(6) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any. public.(5)(7) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.(c) A manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal shall apply to the Secretary of State to be assigned an identification number, through an application process prescribed by the Secretary of State. The electronic seal shall meet the requirements of this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State. (c)(d) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal. Failure to secure the electronic signature and seal shall be cause for the Secretary of State to take public administrative action against the commission and registration held by the online notary public pursuant to Section 8214.1.(d)(e) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.(e)(f) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.8231.8. (a) In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall verify the identity of a principal by satisfactory evidence that meets the requirements of this subdivision and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subdivision, satisfactory evidence means the absence of information, evidence, or other circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the principal is not the individual he or she claims to be and any one of the following:(1) The oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the online notary public or of two credible witnesses that meet the requirements of Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(2) All of the following:(A) Remote presentation of a credential by the principal.(B) Credential analysis of the credential described in paragraph (A).(C) Identity proofing of the principal described in paragraph (A).(3) A valid public key certificate that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(4) Any other identity proofing method that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(b) The online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication used in an online notarization is secure from unauthorized interception.(c) The electronic online notarial certificate shall include a notation that the notarization is an online notarization. An electronic online notarial certificate shall be in the following form:(1) For an acknowledgment:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________(here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________________ by means of audio-video communication, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within electronic record and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the electronic record the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the electronic record. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(2) For a jurat:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActSubscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ____ day of _____, 20__, by ____________________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me by means of audio-video communication.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(3) For a proof of execution by a subscribing witness:State of CaliforniaCounty of ________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________ (here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________ (name of subscribing witness) by means of audio-video communication, proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within electronic record, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ______________________________ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying credential._________________ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, as a witness at the request of ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)).WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal____________(d) The certificate for a copy certification of a power of attorney performed by means of audio-video communication shall include the representations required under subdivision (c) of Section 4307 of the Probate Code.8231.9. An online notary public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for any of the acts authorized under subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 8211. 8231.10. (a)Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified or removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a reappointment, within 30 days, pursuant to Section 8209, shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.(b)A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.8231.11. (a) The Secretary of State may approve registrations of online notaries public for the military and naval reservations of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps of the United States that are located in the State of California. Such registrants must meet the requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to the requirements of this article.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8203.2, an online notary public approved for registration under subdivision (a) may perform notarial acts for principals who are stationed at the reservation for which that online notary public was appointed, regardless of whether the principal was physically located on the reservation at the time of the notarial act.(c) Notwithstanding Section 8203.5, the electronic online notarial certificate by an online notary public shall contain the name of the reservation for which the online notary public was appointed and where the principal for which the online notarization was performed was stationed at the time of the online notarial act. A notation in the following form shall be sufficient for purposes of this subdivision:State of California Online Notarial ActMilitary Reservation of ________ 8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019. January 1, 2020.SEC. 4. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
1+Amended IN Assembly April 19, 2018 Amended IN Assembly March 23, 2018 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2368Introduced by Assembly Member CalderonFebruary 14, 2018 An act to add Section 1181.1 to the Civil Code, and to add the heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) to, and to add Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) to to, Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of, the Government Code, relating to notaries public. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2368, as amended, Calderon. California Online Notary Act of 2018.Existing law authorizes the Secretary of State to appoint and commission notaries public in the number the Secretary of State deems necessary for the public convenience. Existing law authorizes notaries public to act as notaries in any part of the state.This bill would enact the California Online Notary Act of 2018, and, commencing on July 1, 2019, would allow a notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public to register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public, and would require the Secretary of State to develop an application for registration and establish rules to implement its provisions. the act. The bill would authorize the Secretary of State to establish a fee for an application for registration as an online notary public. The bill would authorize an online notary public to perform notarial acts, and online notarizations, and notarial acts notarizations by means of 2-way audio and video audio-video communication. The bill would establish various requirements applicable to an online notary public, including requiring an online notary public to keep a secure electronic journal, one or more secure electronic journals to record online notarial acts, requiring an electronic notarial certificate to be a specified form, and requiring an online notary public to destroy certain information upon termination of a commission, as specified. The bill would make it a misdemeanor for any person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or seal. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also make other conforming changes.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 1181.1 is added to the Civil Code, to read:1181.1. Section 1181 shall not be construed to authorize any person other than an online notary public authorized by the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to take proofs or acknowledgments by means of appearances using two-way audio and video communication technology.SEC. 2. The heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 1. Notaries PublicSEC. 3. Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 2. California Online Notary Act of 20188231. This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the California Online Notary Act of 2018.8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.(a)(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity. identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources. (b)(d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.(c)(e) Electronic document record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.(d)(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the portion of a notarized electronic document part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by an the online notary public and contains all of the following:(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, electronic seal, title, and commission expiration date. as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.(2)Other required information concerning the date and type of the online notarization.(3)(2) The facts attested to or certified by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.(e)(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic document that confirms the online notary publics name, jurisdiction, sequential identifying number, and commission expiration date, and record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper documents. records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(f)(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic document record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic document. record.(i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources. (g)(j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.(h)(k) Online notarization means and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by means of two-way video and audio conference an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article. article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(i)(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been authorized by registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.(j)(m) Principal means an individual whose electronic signature is notarized in an online notarization, or the individual taking an oath or affirmation from the online notary public, but not in the capacity of a witness for the online notarization. individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.(n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (k)(o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.8231.2. This article applies to online notarizations. To the extent that a provision of this article conflicts with Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), this article controls with respect to an online notarization.8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.(2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.(3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:(A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.(B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.(C) The applicants email address.(b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.(3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.(B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.(C) The Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.8231.4.8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations by means provided in this article.(c)An online notary public may perform a notarial act by means of two-way audio and video communication.(c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:(1) In this state.(2) Outside this state but within the United States.(3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.(d) A requirement that an individual a principal appear before or in the presence of a the online notary public may be satisfied by means of two-way audio and video audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. State pursuant to this article.(e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature. 8231.5.8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep a one or more secure electronic journal with each journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public if the notarial act is an online notarization pursuant to this article.(b)An online notary public shall immediately notify an appropriate law enforcement agency and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary public's electronic journal.(b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.(c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:(1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.(2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.(3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.(4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.(6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:(A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.(B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.(C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.(7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.(d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.(e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.(f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.(g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:(1) The name of the online notary public.(2) The words Online Notary Public.(3) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.(4) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any.(5) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.(c) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.(d) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.(e) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.8231.8. (a) In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall verify the identity of a principal by satisfactory evidence that meets the requirements of this subdivision and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subdivision, satisfactory evidence means the absence of information, evidence, or other circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the principal is not the individual he or she claims to be and any one of the following:(1) The oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the online notary public or of two credible witnesses that meet the requirements of Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(2) All of the following:(A) Remote presentation of a credential by the principal.(B) Credential analysis of the credential described in paragraph (A).(C) Identity proofing of the principal described in paragraph (A).(3) A valid public key certificate that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(4) Any other identity proofing method that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(b) The online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication used in an online notarization is secure from unauthorized interception.(c) The electronic online notarial certificate shall include a notation that the notarization is an online notarization. An electronic online notarial certificate shall be in the following form:(1) For an acknowledgment:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________(here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________________ by means of audio-video communication, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within electronic record and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the electronic record the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the electronic record. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(2) For a jurat:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActSubscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ____ day of _____, 20__, by ____________________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me by means of audio-video communication.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(3) For a proof of execution by a subscribing witness:State of CaliforniaCounty of ________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________ (here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________ (name of subscribing witness) by means of audio-video communication, proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within electronic record, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ______________________________ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying credential._________________ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, as a witness at the request of ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)).WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal____________(d) The certificate for a copy certification of a power of attorney performed by means of audio-video communication shall include the representations required under subdivision (c) of Section 4307 of the Probate Code.8231.9. An online notary public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for any of the acts authorized under subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 8211. 8231.6.An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located:(a)In this state.(b)Outside this state but within the United States.(c)Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.8231.7.8231.10. (a) Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.(b) A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.8231.11. (a) The Secretary of State may approve registrations of online notaries public for the military and naval reservations of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps of the United States that are located in the State of California. Such registrants must meet the requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to the requirements of this article.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8203.2, an online notary public approved for registration under subdivision (a) may perform notarial acts for principals who are stationed at the reservation for which that online notary public was appointed, regardless of whether the principal was physically located on the reservation at the time of the notarial act.(c) Notwithstanding Section 8203.5, the electronic online notarial certificate by an online notary public shall contain the name of the reservation for which the online notary public was appointed and where the principal for which the online notarization was performed was stationed at the time of the online notarial act. A notation in the following form shall be sufficient for purposes of this subdivision:State of California Online Notarial ActMilitary Reservation of ________ 8231.8.8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.8231.9.8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019.SEC. 4. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
22
3- Amended IN Assembly May 25, 2018 Amended IN Assembly April 19, 2018 Amended IN Assembly March 23, 2018 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2368Introduced by Assembly Member CalderonFebruary 14, 2018 An act to add Section 1181.1 to the Civil Code, and to add the heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) to, and to add Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) to, Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of, the Government Code, relating to notaries public. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2368, as amended, Calderon. California Online Notary Act of 2018.Existing law authorizes the Secretary of State to appoint and commission notaries public in the number the Secretary of State deems necessary for the public convenience. Existing law authorizes notaries public to act as notaries in any part of the state.This bill would enact the California Online Notary Act of 2018, and, commencing on July 1, 2019, January 1, 2020, would allow a notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public to register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public, and would require the Secretary of State to develop an application for registration and establish rules to implement the act. act on or before January 1, 2020. The bill would authorize the Secretary of State to establish a fee for an application for registration as an online notary public. The bill would authorize an online notary public to perform notarial acts, and online notarizations by means of audio-video communication. The bill would establish various requirements applicable to an online notary public, including requiring an online notary public to keep one or more secure electronic journals to record online notarial acts, requiring an electronic notarial certificate to be a specified form, and requiring an online notary public to destroy certain information upon termination of a commission, as specified. The bill would make it a misdemeanor for any person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or seal. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also make other conforming changes.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
3+ Amended IN Assembly April 19, 2018 Amended IN Assembly March 23, 2018 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2368Introduced by Assembly Member CalderonFebruary 14, 2018 An act to add Section 1181.1 to the Civil Code, and to add the heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) to, and to add Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) to to, Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of, the Government Code, relating to notaries public. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2368, as amended, Calderon. California Online Notary Act of 2018.Existing law authorizes the Secretary of State to appoint and commission notaries public in the number the Secretary of State deems necessary for the public convenience. Existing law authorizes notaries public to act as notaries in any part of the state.This bill would enact the California Online Notary Act of 2018, and, commencing on July 1, 2019, would allow a notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public to register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public, and would require the Secretary of State to develop an application for registration and establish rules to implement its provisions. the act. The bill would authorize the Secretary of State to establish a fee for an application for registration as an online notary public. The bill would authorize an online notary public to perform notarial acts, and online notarizations, and notarial acts notarizations by means of 2-way audio and video audio-video communication. The bill would establish various requirements applicable to an online notary public, including requiring an online notary public to keep a secure electronic journal, one or more secure electronic journals to record online notarial acts, requiring an electronic notarial certificate to be a specified form, and requiring an online notary public to destroy certain information upon termination of a commission, as specified. The bill would make it a misdemeanor for any person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or seal. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also make other conforming changes.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
44
5- Amended IN Assembly May 25, 2018 Amended IN Assembly April 19, 2018 Amended IN Assembly March 23, 2018
5+ Amended IN Assembly April 19, 2018 Amended IN Assembly March 23, 2018
66
7-Amended IN Assembly May 25, 2018
87 Amended IN Assembly April 19, 2018
98 Amended IN Assembly March 23, 2018
109
1110 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION
1211
1312 Assembly Bill No. 2368
1413
1514 Introduced by Assembly Member CalderonFebruary 14, 2018
1615
1716 Introduced by Assembly Member Calderon
1817 February 14, 2018
1918
20- An act to add Section 1181.1 to the Civil Code, and to add the heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) to, and to add Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) to, Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of, the Government Code, relating to notaries public.
19+ An act to add Section 1181.1 to the Civil Code, and to add the heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) to, and to add Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) to to, Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of, the Government Code, relating to notaries public.
2120
2221 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
2322
2423 ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
2524
2625 AB 2368, as amended, Calderon. California Online Notary Act of 2018.
2726
28-Existing law authorizes the Secretary of State to appoint and commission notaries public in the number the Secretary of State deems necessary for the public convenience. Existing law authorizes notaries public to act as notaries in any part of the state.This bill would enact the California Online Notary Act of 2018, and, commencing on July 1, 2019, January 1, 2020, would allow a notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public to register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public, and would require the Secretary of State to develop an application for registration and establish rules to implement the act. act on or before January 1, 2020. The bill would authorize the Secretary of State to establish a fee for an application for registration as an online notary public. The bill would authorize an online notary public to perform notarial acts, and online notarizations by means of audio-video communication. The bill would establish various requirements applicable to an online notary public, including requiring an online notary public to keep one or more secure electronic journals to record online notarial acts, requiring an electronic notarial certificate to be a specified form, and requiring an online notary public to destroy certain information upon termination of a commission, as specified. The bill would make it a misdemeanor for any person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or seal. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also make other conforming changes.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
27+Existing law authorizes the Secretary of State to appoint and commission notaries public in the number the Secretary of State deems necessary for the public convenience. Existing law authorizes notaries public to act as notaries in any part of the state.This bill would enact the California Online Notary Act of 2018, and, commencing on July 1, 2019, would allow a notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public to register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public, and would require the Secretary of State to develop an application for registration and establish rules to implement its provisions. the act. The bill would authorize the Secretary of State to establish a fee for an application for registration as an online notary public. The bill would authorize an online notary public to perform notarial acts, and online notarizations, and notarial acts notarizations by means of 2-way audio and video audio-video communication. The bill would establish various requirements applicable to an online notary public, including requiring an online notary public to keep a secure electronic journal, one or more secure electronic journals to record online notarial acts, requiring an electronic notarial certificate to be a specified form, and requiring an online notary public to destroy certain information upon termination of a commission, as specified. The bill would make it a misdemeanor for any person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or seal. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also make other conforming changes.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
2928
3029 Existing law authorizes the Secretary of State to appoint and commission notaries public in the number the Secretary of State deems necessary for the public convenience. Existing law authorizes notaries public to act as notaries in any part of the state.
3130
32-This bill would enact the California Online Notary Act of 2018, and, commencing on July 1, 2019, January 1, 2020, would allow a notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public to register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public, and would require the Secretary of State to develop an application for registration and establish rules to implement the act. act on or before January 1, 2020. The bill would authorize the Secretary of State to establish a fee for an application for registration as an online notary public. The bill would authorize an online notary public to perform notarial acts, and online notarizations by means of audio-video communication. The bill would establish various requirements applicable to an online notary public, including requiring an online notary public to keep one or more secure electronic journals to record online notarial acts, requiring an electronic notarial certificate to be a specified form, and requiring an online notary public to destroy certain information upon termination of a commission, as specified. The bill would make it a misdemeanor for any person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or seal. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also make other conforming changes.
31+This bill would enact the California Online Notary Act of 2018, and, commencing on July 1, 2019, would allow a notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public to register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public, and would require the Secretary of State to develop an application for registration and establish rules to implement its provisions. the act. The bill would authorize the Secretary of State to establish a fee for an application for registration as an online notary public. The bill would authorize an online notary public to perform notarial acts, and online notarizations, and notarial acts notarizations by means of 2-way audio and video audio-video communication. The bill would establish various requirements applicable to an online notary public, including requiring an online notary public to keep a secure electronic journal, one or more secure electronic journals to record online notarial acts, requiring an electronic notarial certificate to be a specified form, and requiring an online notary public to destroy certain information upon termination of a commission, as specified. The bill would make it a misdemeanor for any person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or seal. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also make other conforming changes.
3332
3433 The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
3534
3635 This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
3736
3837 ## Digest Key
3938
4039 ## Bill Text
4140
42-The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 1181.1 is added to the Civil Code, to read:1181.1. Section 1181 shall not be construed to authorize any person other than an online notary public authorized by the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to take proofs or acknowledgments by means of appearances using two-way audio and video communication technology.SEC. 2. The heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 1. Notaries PublicSEC. 3. Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 2. California Online Notary Act of 20188231. This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the California Online Notary Act of 2018.8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources. (d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.(e) Electronic record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by the online notary public and contains all of the following:(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.(2) The facts attested to by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic record.(i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources. (j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.(k) Online notarization and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.(m) Principal means an individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.(n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.8231.2. This article applies to online notarizations. To the extent that a provision of this article conflicts with Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), this article controls with respect to an online notarization.8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. article on or before January 1, 2020. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register public, or an applicant during the commissioning of an applicant for appointment as a notary public, may apply for registration with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.(2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.(3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:(A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.(B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.(C) The applicants email address.(b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.(3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal reappointment thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.(B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.(C) The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study. If the Secretary of State does not provide an online notary public education course of study, the Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.(c) An online notary public shall notify the Secretary of State when he or she applies to be appointed as a notary public, seeks reappointment, or enters into a new contract as to which third-party vendor online notarization platform he or she is registered with or will be using.8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations provided in this article.(c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:(1) In this state.(2) Outside this state but within the United States.(3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.(d) (1) A requirement that a principal appear before or in the presence of the online notary public may be satisfied by means of audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article.(2) Audio-visual communications with an online notary public meets the requirements of this article if it consists of continuous, synchronous audio and video feeds with adequate clarity such that all participants can be clearly seen and understood at all times. The online notary public may terminate the session at their discretion if, in the online notary publics judgment, the adequacy of communications is insufficient for all participants to be clearly seen and understood at all times.(e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature. 8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep one or more secure electronic journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public pursuant to this article.(b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.(c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:(1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.(2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.(3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.(4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.(6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:(A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.(B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.(C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.(7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.(d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.(e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.(f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.(g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal reappointment within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:(1) The name of the online notary public.(2) The Great Seal of the State of California. (2)(3) The words Online Notary Public.(3)(4) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.(5) The date the notary publics commission expires. (4)(6) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any. public.(5)(7) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.(c) A manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal shall apply to the Secretary of State to be assigned an identification number, through an application process prescribed by the Secretary of State. The electronic seal shall meet the requirements of this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State. (c)(d) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal. Failure to secure the electronic signature and seal shall be cause for the Secretary of State to take public administrative action against the commission and registration held by the online notary public pursuant to Section 8214.1.(d)(e) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.(e)(f) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.8231.8. (a) In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall verify the identity of a principal by satisfactory evidence that meets the requirements of this subdivision and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subdivision, satisfactory evidence means the absence of information, evidence, or other circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the principal is not the individual he or she claims to be and any one of the following:(1) The oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the online notary public or of two credible witnesses that meet the requirements of Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(2) All of the following:(A) Remote presentation of a credential by the principal.(B) Credential analysis of the credential described in paragraph (A).(C) Identity proofing of the principal described in paragraph (A).(3) A valid public key certificate that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(4) Any other identity proofing method that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(b) The online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication used in an online notarization is secure from unauthorized interception.(c) The electronic online notarial certificate shall include a notation that the notarization is an online notarization. An electronic online notarial certificate shall be in the following form:(1) For an acknowledgment:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________(here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________________ by means of audio-video communication, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within electronic record and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the electronic record the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the electronic record. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(2) For a jurat:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActSubscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ____ day of _____, 20__, by ____________________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me by means of audio-video communication.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(3) For a proof of execution by a subscribing witness:State of CaliforniaCounty of ________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________ (here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________ (name of subscribing witness) by means of audio-video communication, proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within electronic record, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ______________________________ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying credential._________________ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, as a witness at the request of ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)).WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal____________(d) The certificate for a copy certification of a power of attorney performed by means of audio-video communication shall include the representations required under subdivision (c) of Section 4307 of the Probate Code.8231.9. An online notary public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for any of the acts authorized under subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 8211. 8231.10. (a)Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified or removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a reappointment, within 30 days, pursuant to Section 8209, shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.(b)A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.8231.11. (a) The Secretary of State may approve registrations of online notaries public for the military and naval reservations of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps of the United States that are located in the State of California. Such registrants must meet the requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to the requirements of this article.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8203.2, an online notary public approved for registration under subdivision (a) may perform notarial acts for principals who are stationed at the reservation for which that online notary public was appointed, regardless of whether the principal was physically located on the reservation at the time of the notarial act.(c) Notwithstanding Section 8203.5, the electronic online notarial certificate by an online notary public shall contain the name of the reservation for which the online notary public was appointed and where the principal for which the online notarization was performed was stationed at the time of the online notarial act. A notation in the following form shall be sufficient for purposes of this subdivision:State of California Online Notarial ActMilitary Reservation of ________ 8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019. January 1, 2020.SEC. 4. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
41+The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 1181.1 is added to the Civil Code, to read:1181.1. Section 1181 shall not be construed to authorize any person other than an online notary public authorized by the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to take proofs or acknowledgments by means of appearances using two-way audio and video communication technology.SEC. 2. The heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 1. Notaries PublicSEC. 3. Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 2. California Online Notary Act of 20188231. This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the California Online Notary Act of 2018.8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.(a)(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity. identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources. (b)(d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.(c)(e) Electronic document record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.(d)(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the portion of a notarized electronic document part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by an the online notary public and contains all of the following:(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, electronic seal, title, and commission expiration date. as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.(2)Other required information concerning the date and type of the online notarization.(3)(2) The facts attested to or certified by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.(e)(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic document that confirms the online notary publics name, jurisdiction, sequential identifying number, and commission expiration date, and record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper documents. records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(f)(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic document record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic document. record.(i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources. (g)(j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.(h)(k) Online notarization means and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by means of two-way video and audio conference an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article. article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(i)(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been authorized by registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.(j)(m) Principal means an individual whose electronic signature is notarized in an online notarization, or the individual taking an oath or affirmation from the online notary public, but not in the capacity of a witness for the online notarization. individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.(n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (k)(o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.8231.2. This article applies to online notarizations. To the extent that a provision of this article conflicts with Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), this article controls with respect to an online notarization.8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.(2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.(3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:(A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.(B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.(C) The applicants email address.(b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.(3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.(B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.(C) The Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.8231.4.8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations by means provided in this article.(c)An online notary public may perform a notarial act by means of two-way audio and video communication.(c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:(1) In this state.(2) Outside this state but within the United States.(3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.(d) A requirement that an individual a principal appear before or in the presence of a the online notary public may be satisfied by means of two-way audio and video audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. State pursuant to this article.(e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature. 8231.5.8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep a one or more secure electronic journal with each journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public if the notarial act is an online notarization pursuant to this article.(b)An online notary public shall immediately notify an appropriate law enforcement agency and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary public's electronic journal.(b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.(c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:(1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.(2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.(3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.(4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.(6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:(A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.(B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.(C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.(7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.(d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.(e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.(f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.(g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:(1) The name of the online notary public.(2) The words Online Notary Public.(3) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.(4) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any.(5) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.(c) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.(d) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.(e) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.8231.8. (a) In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall verify the identity of a principal by satisfactory evidence that meets the requirements of this subdivision and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subdivision, satisfactory evidence means the absence of information, evidence, or other circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the principal is not the individual he or she claims to be and any one of the following:(1) The oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the online notary public or of two credible witnesses that meet the requirements of Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(2) All of the following:(A) Remote presentation of a credential by the principal.(B) Credential analysis of the credential described in paragraph (A).(C) Identity proofing of the principal described in paragraph (A).(3) A valid public key certificate that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(4) Any other identity proofing method that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(b) The online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication used in an online notarization is secure from unauthorized interception.(c) The electronic online notarial certificate shall include a notation that the notarization is an online notarization. An electronic online notarial certificate shall be in the following form:(1) For an acknowledgment:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________(here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________________ by means of audio-video communication, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within electronic record and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the electronic record the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the electronic record. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(2) For a jurat:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActSubscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ____ day of _____, 20__, by ____________________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me by means of audio-video communication.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(3) For a proof of execution by a subscribing witness:State of CaliforniaCounty of ________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________ (here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________ (name of subscribing witness) by means of audio-video communication, proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within electronic record, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ______________________________ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying credential._________________ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, as a witness at the request of ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)).WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal____________(d) The certificate for a copy certification of a power of attorney performed by means of audio-video communication shall include the representations required under subdivision (c) of Section 4307 of the Probate Code.8231.9. An online notary public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for any of the acts authorized under subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 8211. 8231.6.An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located:(a)In this state.(b)Outside this state but within the United States.(c)Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.8231.7.8231.10. (a) Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.(b) A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.8231.11. (a) The Secretary of State may approve registrations of online notaries public for the military and naval reservations of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps of the United States that are located in the State of California. Such registrants must meet the requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to the requirements of this article.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8203.2, an online notary public approved for registration under subdivision (a) may perform notarial acts for principals who are stationed at the reservation for which that online notary public was appointed, regardless of whether the principal was physically located on the reservation at the time of the notarial act.(c) Notwithstanding Section 8203.5, the electronic online notarial certificate by an online notary public shall contain the name of the reservation for which the online notary public was appointed and where the principal for which the online notarization was performed was stationed at the time of the online notarial act. A notation in the following form shall be sufficient for purposes of this subdivision:State of California Online Notarial ActMilitary Reservation of ________ 8231.8.8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.8231.9.8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019.SEC. 4. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
4342
4443 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4544
4645 ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4746
4847 SECTION 1. Section 1181.1 is added to the Civil Code, to read:1181.1. Section 1181 shall not be construed to authorize any person other than an online notary public authorized by the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to take proofs or acknowledgments by means of appearances using two-way audio and video communication technology.
4948
5049 SECTION 1. Section 1181.1 is added to the Civil Code, to read:
5150
5251 ### SECTION 1.
5352
5453 1181.1. Section 1181 shall not be construed to authorize any person other than an online notary public authorized by the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to take proofs or acknowledgments by means of appearances using two-way audio and video communication technology.
5554
5655 1181.1. Section 1181 shall not be construed to authorize any person other than an online notary public authorized by the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to take proofs or acknowledgments by means of appearances using two-way audio and video communication technology.
5756
5857 1181.1. Section 1181 shall not be construed to authorize any person other than an online notary public authorized by the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to take proofs or acknowledgments by means of appearances using two-way audio and video communication technology.
5958
6059
6160
6261 1181.1. Section 1181 shall not be construed to authorize any person other than an online notary public authorized by the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to take proofs or acknowledgments by means of appearances using two-way audio and video communication technology.
6362
6463 SEC. 2. The heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 1. Notaries Public
6564
6665 SEC. 2. The heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read:
6766
6867 ### SEC. 2.
6968
7069 Article 1. Notaries Public
7170
7271 Article 1. Notaries Public
7372
7473 Article 1. Notaries Public
7574
7675 Article 1. Notaries Public
7776
78-SEC. 3. Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 2. California Online Notary Act of 20188231. This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the California Online Notary Act of 2018.8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources. (d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.(e) Electronic record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by the online notary public and contains all of the following:(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.(2) The facts attested to by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic record.(i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources. (j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.(k) Online notarization and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.(m) Principal means an individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.(n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.8231.2. This article applies to online notarizations. To the extent that a provision of this article conflicts with Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), this article controls with respect to an online notarization.8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. article on or before January 1, 2020. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register public, or an applicant during the commissioning of an applicant for appointment as a notary public, may apply for registration with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.(2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.(3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:(A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.(B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.(C) The applicants email address.(b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.(3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal reappointment thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.(B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.(C) The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study. If the Secretary of State does not provide an online notary public education course of study, the Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.(c) An online notary public shall notify the Secretary of State when he or she applies to be appointed as a notary public, seeks reappointment, or enters into a new contract as to which third-party vendor online notarization platform he or she is registered with or will be using.8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations provided in this article.(c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:(1) In this state.(2) Outside this state but within the United States.(3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.(d) (1) A requirement that a principal appear before or in the presence of the online notary public may be satisfied by means of audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article.(2) Audio-visual communications with an online notary public meets the requirements of this article if it consists of continuous, synchronous audio and video feeds with adequate clarity such that all participants can be clearly seen and understood at all times. The online notary public may terminate the session at their discretion if, in the online notary publics judgment, the adequacy of communications is insufficient for all participants to be clearly seen and understood at all times.(e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature. 8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep one or more secure electronic journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public pursuant to this article.(b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.(c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:(1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.(2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.(3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.(4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.(6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:(A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.(B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.(C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.(7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.(d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.(e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.(f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.(g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal reappointment within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:(1) The name of the online notary public.(2) The Great Seal of the State of California. (2)(3) The words Online Notary Public.(3)(4) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.(5) The date the notary publics commission expires. (4)(6) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any. public.(5)(7) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.(c) A manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal shall apply to the Secretary of State to be assigned an identification number, through an application process prescribed by the Secretary of State. The electronic seal shall meet the requirements of this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State. (c)(d) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal. Failure to secure the electronic signature and seal shall be cause for the Secretary of State to take public administrative action against the commission and registration held by the online notary public pursuant to Section 8214.1.(d)(e) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.(e)(f) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.8231.8. (a) In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall verify the identity of a principal by satisfactory evidence that meets the requirements of this subdivision and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subdivision, satisfactory evidence means the absence of information, evidence, or other circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the principal is not the individual he or she claims to be and any one of the following:(1) The oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the online notary public or of two credible witnesses that meet the requirements of Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(2) All of the following:(A) Remote presentation of a credential by the principal.(B) Credential analysis of the credential described in paragraph (A).(C) Identity proofing of the principal described in paragraph (A).(3) A valid public key certificate that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(4) Any other identity proofing method that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(b) The online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication used in an online notarization is secure from unauthorized interception.(c) The electronic online notarial certificate shall include a notation that the notarization is an online notarization. An electronic online notarial certificate shall be in the following form:(1) For an acknowledgment:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________(here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________________ by means of audio-video communication, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within electronic record and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the electronic record the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the electronic record. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(2) For a jurat:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActSubscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ____ day of _____, 20__, by ____________________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me by means of audio-video communication.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(3) For a proof of execution by a subscribing witness:State of CaliforniaCounty of ________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________ (here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________ (name of subscribing witness) by means of audio-video communication, proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within electronic record, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ______________________________ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying credential._________________ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, as a witness at the request of ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)).WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal____________(d) The certificate for a copy certification of a power of attorney performed by means of audio-video communication shall include the representations required under subdivision (c) of Section 4307 of the Probate Code.8231.9. An online notary public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for any of the acts authorized under subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 8211. 8231.10. (a)Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified or removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a reappointment, within 30 days, pursuant to Section 8209, shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.(b)A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.8231.11. (a) The Secretary of State may approve registrations of online notaries public for the military and naval reservations of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps of the United States that are located in the State of California. Such registrants must meet the requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to the requirements of this article.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8203.2, an online notary public approved for registration under subdivision (a) may perform notarial acts for principals who are stationed at the reservation for which that online notary public was appointed, regardless of whether the principal was physically located on the reservation at the time of the notarial act.(c) Notwithstanding Section 8203.5, the electronic online notarial certificate by an online notary public shall contain the name of the reservation for which the online notary public was appointed and where the principal for which the online notarization was performed was stationed at the time of the online notarial act. A notation in the following form shall be sufficient for purposes of this subdivision:State of California Online Notarial ActMilitary Reservation of ________ 8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019. January 1, 2020.
77+SEC. 3. Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 2. California Online Notary Act of 20188231. This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the California Online Notary Act of 2018.8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.(a)(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity. identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources. (b)(d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.(c)(e) Electronic document record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.(d)(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the portion of a notarized electronic document part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by an the online notary public and contains all of the following:(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, electronic seal, title, and commission expiration date. as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.(2)Other required information concerning the date and type of the online notarization.(3)(2) The facts attested to or certified by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.(e)(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic document that confirms the online notary publics name, jurisdiction, sequential identifying number, and commission expiration date, and record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper documents. records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(f)(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic document record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic document. record.(i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources. (g)(j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.(h)(k) Online notarization means and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by means of two-way video and audio conference an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article. article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(i)(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been authorized by registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.(j)(m) Principal means an individual whose electronic signature is notarized in an online notarization, or the individual taking an oath or affirmation from the online notary public, but not in the capacity of a witness for the online notarization. individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.(n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (k)(o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.8231.2. This article applies to online notarizations. To the extent that a provision of this article conflicts with Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), this article controls with respect to an online notarization.8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.(2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.(3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:(A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.(B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.(C) The applicants email address.(b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.(3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.(B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.(C) The Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.8231.4.8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations by means provided in this article.(c)An online notary public may perform a notarial act by means of two-way audio and video communication.(c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:(1) In this state.(2) Outside this state but within the United States.(3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.(d) A requirement that an individual a principal appear before or in the presence of a the online notary public may be satisfied by means of two-way audio and video audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. State pursuant to this article.(e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature. 8231.5.8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep a one or more secure electronic journal with each journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public if the notarial act is an online notarization pursuant to this article.(b)An online notary public shall immediately notify an appropriate law enforcement agency and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary public's electronic journal.(b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.(c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:(1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.(2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.(3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.(4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.(6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:(A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.(B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.(C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.(7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.(d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.(e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.(f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.(g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:(1) The name of the online notary public.(2) The words Online Notary Public.(3) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.(4) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any.(5) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.(c) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.(d) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.(e) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.8231.8. (a) In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall verify the identity of a principal by satisfactory evidence that meets the requirements of this subdivision and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subdivision, satisfactory evidence means the absence of information, evidence, or other circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the principal is not the individual he or she claims to be and any one of the following:(1) The oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the online notary public or of two credible witnesses that meet the requirements of Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(2) All of the following:(A) Remote presentation of a credential by the principal.(B) Credential analysis of the credential described in paragraph (A).(C) Identity proofing of the principal described in paragraph (A).(3) A valid public key certificate that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(4) Any other identity proofing method that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(b) The online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication used in an online notarization is secure from unauthorized interception.(c) The electronic online notarial certificate shall include a notation that the notarization is an online notarization. An electronic online notarial certificate shall be in the following form:(1) For an acknowledgment:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________(here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________________ by means of audio-video communication, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within electronic record and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the electronic record the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the electronic record. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(2) For a jurat:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActSubscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ____ day of _____, 20__, by ____________________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me by means of audio-video communication.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(3) For a proof of execution by a subscribing witness:State of CaliforniaCounty of ________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________ (here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________ (name of subscribing witness) by means of audio-video communication, proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within electronic record, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ______________________________ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying credential._________________ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, as a witness at the request of ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)).WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal____________(d) The certificate for a copy certification of a power of attorney performed by means of audio-video communication shall include the representations required under subdivision (c) of Section 4307 of the Probate Code.8231.9. An online notary public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for any of the acts authorized under subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 8211. 8231.6.An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located:(a)In this state.(b)Outside this state but within the United States.(c)Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.8231.7.8231.10. (a) Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.(b) A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.8231.11. (a) The Secretary of State may approve registrations of online notaries public for the military and naval reservations of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps of the United States that are located in the State of California. Such registrants must meet the requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to the requirements of this article.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8203.2, an online notary public approved for registration under subdivision (a) may perform notarial acts for principals who are stationed at the reservation for which that online notary public was appointed, regardless of whether the principal was physically located on the reservation at the time of the notarial act.(c) Notwithstanding Section 8203.5, the electronic online notarial certificate by an online notary public shall contain the name of the reservation for which the online notary public was appointed and where the principal for which the online notarization was performed was stationed at the time of the online notarial act. A notation in the following form shall be sufficient for purposes of this subdivision:State of California Online Notarial ActMilitary Reservation of ________ 8231.8.8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.8231.9.8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019.
7978
8079 SEC. 3. Article 2 (commencing with Section 8231) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read:
8180
8281 ### SEC. 3.
8382
84- Article 2. California Online Notary Act of 20188231. This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the California Online Notary Act of 2018.8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources. (d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.(e) Electronic record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by the online notary public and contains all of the following:(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.(2) The facts attested to by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic record.(i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources. (j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.(k) Online notarization and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.(m) Principal means an individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.(n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.8231.2. This article applies to online notarizations. To the extent that a provision of this article conflicts with Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), this article controls with respect to an online notarization.8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. article on or before January 1, 2020. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register public, or an applicant during the commissioning of an applicant for appointment as a notary public, may apply for registration with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.(2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.(3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:(A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.(B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.(C) The applicants email address.(b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.(3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal reappointment thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.(B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.(C) The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study. If the Secretary of State does not provide an online notary public education course of study, the Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.(c) An online notary public shall notify the Secretary of State when he or she applies to be appointed as a notary public, seeks reappointment, or enters into a new contract as to which third-party vendor online notarization platform he or she is registered with or will be using.8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations provided in this article.(c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:(1) In this state.(2) Outside this state but within the United States.(3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.(d) (1) A requirement that a principal appear before or in the presence of the online notary public may be satisfied by means of audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article.(2) Audio-visual communications with an online notary public meets the requirements of this article if it consists of continuous, synchronous audio and video feeds with adequate clarity such that all participants can be clearly seen and understood at all times. The online notary public may terminate the session at their discretion if, in the online notary publics judgment, the adequacy of communications is insufficient for all participants to be clearly seen and understood at all times.(e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature. 8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep one or more secure electronic journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public pursuant to this article.(b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.(c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:(1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.(2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.(3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.(4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.(6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:(A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.(B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.(C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.(7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.(d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.(e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.(f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.(g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal reappointment within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:(1) The name of the online notary public.(2) The Great Seal of the State of California. (2)(3) The words Online Notary Public.(3)(4) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.(5) The date the notary publics commission expires. (4)(6) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any. public.(5)(7) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.(c) A manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal shall apply to the Secretary of State to be assigned an identification number, through an application process prescribed by the Secretary of State. The electronic seal shall meet the requirements of this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State. (c)(d) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal. Failure to secure the electronic signature and seal shall be cause for the Secretary of State to take public administrative action against the commission and registration held by the online notary public pursuant to Section 8214.1.(d)(e) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.(e)(f) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.8231.8. (a) In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall verify the identity of a principal by satisfactory evidence that meets the requirements of this subdivision and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subdivision, satisfactory evidence means the absence of information, evidence, or other circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the principal is not the individual he or she claims to be and any one of the following:(1) The oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the online notary public or of two credible witnesses that meet the requirements of Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(2) All of the following:(A) Remote presentation of a credential by the principal.(B) Credential analysis of the credential described in paragraph (A).(C) Identity proofing of the principal described in paragraph (A).(3) A valid public key certificate that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(4) Any other identity proofing method that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(b) The online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication used in an online notarization is secure from unauthorized interception.(c) The electronic online notarial certificate shall include a notation that the notarization is an online notarization. An electronic online notarial certificate shall be in the following form:(1) For an acknowledgment:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________(here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________________ by means of audio-video communication, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within electronic record and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the electronic record the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the electronic record. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(2) For a jurat:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActSubscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ____ day of _____, 20__, by ____________________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me by means of audio-video communication.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(3) For a proof of execution by a subscribing witness:State of CaliforniaCounty of ________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________ (here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________ (name of subscribing witness) by means of audio-video communication, proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within electronic record, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ______________________________ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying credential._________________ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, as a witness at the request of ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)).WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal____________(d) The certificate for a copy certification of a power of attorney performed by means of audio-video communication shall include the representations required under subdivision (c) of Section 4307 of the Probate Code.8231.9. An online notary public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for any of the acts authorized under subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 8211. 8231.10. (a)Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified or removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a reappointment, within 30 days, pursuant to Section 8209, shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.(b)A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.8231.11. (a) The Secretary of State may approve registrations of online notaries public for the military and naval reservations of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps of the United States that are located in the State of California. Such registrants must meet the requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to the requirements of this article.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8203.2, an online notary public approved for registration under subdivision (a) may perform notarial acts for principals who are stationed at the reservation for which that online notary public was appointed, regardless of whether the principal was physically located on the reservation at the time of the notarial act.(c) Notwithstanding Section 8203.5, the electronic online notarial certificate by an online notary public shall contain the name of the reservation for which the online notary public was appointed and where the principal for which the online notarization was performed was stationed at the time of the online notarial act. A notation in the following form shall be sufficient for purposes of this subdivision:State of California Online Notarial ActMilitary Reservation of ________ 8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019. January 1, 2020.
83+ Article 2. California Online Notary Act of 20188231. This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the California Online Notary Act of 2018.8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.(a)(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity. identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources. (b)(d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.(c)(e) Electronic document record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.(d)(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the portion of a notarized electronic document part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by an the online notary public and contains all of the following:(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, electronic seal, title, and commission expiration date. as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.(2)Other required information concerning the date and type of the online notarization.(3)(2) The facts attested to or certified by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.(e)(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic document that confirms the online notary publics name, jurisdiction, sequential identifying number, and commission expiration date, and record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper documents. records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(f)(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic document record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic document. record.(i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources. (g)(j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.(h)(k) Online notarization means and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by means of two-way video and audio conference an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article. article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(i)(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been authorized by registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.(j)(m) Principal means an individual whose electronic signature is notarized in an online notarization, or the individual taking an oath or affirmation from the online notary public, but not in the capacity of a witness for the online notarization. individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.(n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (k)(o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.8231.2. This article applies to online notarizations. To the extent that a provision of this article conflicts with Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), this article controls with respect to an online notarization.8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.(2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.(3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:(A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.(B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.(C) The applicants email address.(b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.(3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.(B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.(C) The Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.8231.4.8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations by means provided in this article.(c)An online notary public may perform a notarial act by means of two-way audio and video communication.(c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:(1) In this state.(2) Outside this state but within the United States.(3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.(d) A requirement that an individual a principal appear before or in the presence of a the online notary public may be satisfied by means of two-way audio and video audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. State pursuant to this article.(e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature. 8231.5.8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep a one or more secure electronic journal with each journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public if the notarial act is an online notarization pursuant to this article.(b)An online notary public shall immediately notify an appropriate law enforcement agency and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary public's electronic journal.(b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.(c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:(1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.(2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.(3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.(4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.(6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:(A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.(B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.(C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.(7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.(d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.(e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.(f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.(g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:(1) The name of the online notary public.(2) The words Online Notary Public.(3) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.(4) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any.(5) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.(c) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.(d) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.(e) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.8231.8. (a) In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall verify the identity of a principal by satisfactory evidence that meets the requirements of this subdivision and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subdivision, satisfactory evidence means the absence of information, evidence, or other circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the principal is not the individual he or she claims to be and any one of the following:(1) The oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the online notary public or of two credible witnesses that meet the requirements of Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(2) All of the following:(A) Remote presentation of a credential by the principal.(B) Credential analysis of the credential described in paragraph (A).(C) Identity proofing of the principal described in paragraph (A).(3) A valid public key certificate that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(4) Any other identity proofing method that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(b) The online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication used in an online notarization is secure from unauthorized interception.(c) The electronic online notarial certificate shall include a notation that the notarization is an online notarization. An electronic online notarial certificate shall be in the following form:(1) For an acknowledgment:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________(here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________________ by means of audio-video communication, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within electronic record and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the electronic record the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the electronic record. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(2) For a jurat:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActSubscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ____ day of _____, 20__, by ____________________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me by means of audio-video communication.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(3) For a proof of execution by a subscribing witness:State of CaliforniaCounty of ________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________ (here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________ (name of subscribing witness) by means of audio-video communication, proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within electronic record, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ______________________________ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying credential._________________ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, as a witness at the request of ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)).WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal____________(d) The certificate for a copy certification of a power of attorney performed by means of audio-video communication shall include the representations required under subdivision (c) of Section 4307 of the Probate Code.8231.9. An online notary public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for any of the acts authorized under subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 8211. 8231.6.An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located:(a)In this state.(b)Outside this state but within the United States.(c)Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.8231.7.8231.10. (a) Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.(b) A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.8231.11. (a) The Secretary of State may approve registrations of online notaries public for the military and naval reservations of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps of the United States that are located in the State of California. Such registrants must meet the requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to the requirements of this article.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8203.2, an online notary public approved for registration under subdivision (a) may perform notarial acts for principals who are stationed at the reservation for which that online notary public was appointed, regardless of whether the principal was physically located on the reservation at the time of the notarial act.(c) Notwithstanding Section 8203.5, the electronic online notarial certificate by an online notary public shall contain the name of the reservation for which the online notary public was appointed and where the principal for which the online notarization was performed was stationed at the time of the online notarial act. A notation in the following form shall be sufficient for purposes of this subdivision:State of California Online Notarial ActMilitary Reservation of ________ 8231.8.8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.8231.9.8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019.
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86- Article 2. California Online Notary Act of 20188231. This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the California Online Notary Act of 2018.8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources. (d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.(e) Electronic record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by the online notary public and contains all of the following:(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.(2) The facts attested to by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic record.(i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources. (j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.(k) Online notarization and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.(m) Principal means an individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.(n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.8231.2. This article applies to online notarizations. To the extent that a provision of this article conflicts with Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), this article controls with respect to an online notarization.8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. article on or before January 1, 2020. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register public, or an applicant during the commissioning of an applicant for appointment as a notary public, may apply for registration with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.(2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.(3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:(A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.(B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.(C) The applicants email address.(b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.(3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal reappointment thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.(B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.(C) The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study. If the Secretary of State does not provide an online notary public education course of study, the Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.(c) An online notary public shall notify the Secretary of State when he or she applies to be appointed as a notary public, seeks reappointment, or enters into a new contract as to which third-party vendor online notarization platform he or she is registered with or will be using.8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations provided in this article.(c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:(1) In this state.(2) Outside this state but within the United States.(3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.(d) (1) A requirement that a principal appear before or in the presence of the online notary public may be satisfied by means of audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article.(2) Audio-visual communications with an online notary public meets the requirements of this article if it consists of continuous, synchronous audio and video feeds with adequate clarity such that all participants can be clearly seen and understood at all times. The online notary public may terminate the session at their discretion if, in the online notary publics judgment, the adequacy of communications is insufficient for all participants to be clearly seen and understood at all times.(e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature. 8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep one or more secure electronic journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public pursuant to this article.(b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.(c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:(1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.(2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.(3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.(4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.(6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:(A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.(B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.(C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.(7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.(d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.(e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.(f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.(g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal reappointment within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:(1) The name of the online notary public.(2) The Great Seal of the State of California. (2)(3) The words Online Notary Public.(3)(4) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.(5) The date the notary publics commission expires. (4)(6) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any. public.(5)(7) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.(c) A manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal shall apply to the Secretary of State to be assigned an identification number, through an application process prescribed by the Secretary of State. The electronic seal shall meet the requirements of this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State. (c)(d) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal. Failure to secure the electronic signature and seal shall be cause for the Secretary of State to take public administrative action against the commission and registration held by the online notary public pursuant to Section 8214.1.(d)(e) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.(e)(f) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.8231.8. (a) In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall verify the identity of a principal by satisfactory evidence that meets the requirements of this subdivision and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subdivision, satisfactory evidence means the absence of information, evidence, or other circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the principal is not the individual he or she claims to be and any one of the following:(1) The oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the online notary public or of two credible witnesses that meet the requirements of Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(2) All of the following:(A) Remote presentation of a credential by the principal.(B) Credential analysis of the credential described in paragraph (A).(C) Identity proofing of the principal described in paragraph (A).(3) A valid public key certificate that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(4) Any other identity proofing method that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(b) The online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication used in an online notarization is secure from unauthorized interception.(c) The electronic online notarial certificate shall include a notation that the notarization is an online notarization. An electronic online notarial certificate shall be in the following form:(1) For an acknowledgment:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________(here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________________ by means of audio-video communication, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within electronic record and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the electronic record the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the electronic record. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(2) For a jurat:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActSubscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ____ day of _____, 20__, by ____________________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me by means of audio-video communication.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(3) For a proof of execution by a subscribing witness:State of CaliforniaCounty of ________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________ (here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________ (name of subscribing witness) by means of audio-video communication, proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within electronic record, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ______________________________ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying credential._________________ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, as a witness at the request of ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)).WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal____________(d) The certificate for a copy certification of a power of attorney performed by means of audio-video communication shall include the representations required under subdivision (c) of Section 4307 of the Probate Code.8231.9. An online notary public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for any of the acts authorized under subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 8211. 8231.10. (a)Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified or removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a reappointment, within 30 days, pursuant to Section 8209, shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.(b)A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.8231.11. (a) The Secretary of State may approve registrations of online notaries public for the military and naval reservations of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps of the United States that are located in the State of California. Such registrants must meet the requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to the requirements of this article.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8203.2, an online notary public approved for registration under subdivision (a) may perform notarial acts for principals who are stationed at the reservation for which that online notary public was appointed, regardless of whether the principal was physically located on the reservation at the time of the notarial act.(c) Notwithstanding Section 8203.5, the electronic online notarial certificate by an online notary public shall contain the name of the reservation for which the online notary public was appointed and where the principal for which the online notarization was performed was stationed at the time of the online notarial act. A notation in the following form shall be sufficient for purposes of this subdivision:State of California Online Notarial ActMilitary Reservation of ________ 8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019. January 1, 2020.
85+ Article 2. California Online Notary Act of 20188231. This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the California Online Notary Act of 2018.8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.(a)(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity. identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources. (b)(d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.(c)(e) Electronic document record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.(d)(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the portion of a notarized electronic document part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by an the online notary public and contains all of the following:(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, electronic seal, title, and commission expiration date. as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.(2)Other required information concerning the date and type of the online notarization.(3)(2) The facts attested to or certified by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.(e)(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic document that confirms the online notary publics name, jurisdiction, sequential identifying number, and commission expiration date, and record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper documents. records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(f)(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic document record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic document. record.(i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources. (g)(j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.(h)(k) Online notarization means and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by means of two-way video and audio conference an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article. article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(i)(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been authorized by registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.(j)(m) Principal means an individual whose electronic signature is notarized in an online notarization, or the individual taking an oath or affirmation from the online notary public, but not in the capacity of a witness for the online notarization. individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.(n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (k)(o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.8231.2. This article applies to online notarizations. To the extent that a provision of this article conflicts with Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), this article controls with respect to an online notarization.8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.(2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.(3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:(A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.(B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.(C) The applicants email address.(b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.(3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.(B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.(C) The Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.8231.4.8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations by means provided in this article.(c)An online notary public may perform a notarial act by means of two-way audio and video communication.(c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:(1) In this state.(2) Outside this state but within the United States.(3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.(d) A requirement that an individual a principal appear before or in the presence of a the online notary public may be satisfied by means of two-way audio and video audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. State pursuant to this article.(e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature. 8231.5.8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep a one or more secure electronic journal with each journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public if the notarial act is an online notarization pursuant to this article.(b)An online notary public shall immediately notify an appropriate law enforcement agency and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary public's electronic journal.(b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.(c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:(1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.(2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.(3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.(4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.(6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:(A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.(B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.(C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.(7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.(d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.(e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.(f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.(g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:(1) The name of the online notary public.(2) The words Online Notary Public.(3) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.(4) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any.(5) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.(c) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.(d) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.(e) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.8231.8. (a) In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall verify the identity of a principal by satisfactory evidence that meets the requirements of this subdivision and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subdivision, satisfactory evidence means the absence of information, evidence, or other circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the principal is not the individual he or she claims to be and any one of the following:(1) The oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the online notary public or of two credible witnesses that meet the requirements of Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(2) All of the following:(A) Remote presentation of a credential by the principal.(B) Credential analysis of the credential described in paragraph (A).(C) Identity proofing of the principal described in paragraph (A).(3) A valid public key certificate that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(4) Any other identity proofing method that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(b) The online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication used in an online notarization is secure from unauthorized interception.(c) The electronic online notarial certificate shall include a notation that the notarization is an online notarization. An electronic online notarial certificate shall be in the following form:(1) For an acknowledgment:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________(here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________________ by means of audio-video communication, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within electronic record and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the electronic record the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the electronic record. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(2) For a jurat:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActSubscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ____ day of _____, 20__, by ____________________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me by means of audio-video communication.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(3) For a proof of execution by a subscribing witness:State of CaliforniaCounty of ________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________ (here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________ (name of subscribing witness) by means of audio-video communication, proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within electronic record, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ______________________________ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying credential._________________ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, as a witness at the request of ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)).WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal____________(d) The certificate for a copy certification of a power of attorney performed by means of audio-video communication shall include the representations required under subdivision (c) of Section 4307 of the Probate Code.8231.9. An online notary public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for any of the acts authorized under subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 8211. 8231.6.An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located:(a)In this state.(b)Outside this state but within the United States.(c)Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.8231.7.8231.10. (a) Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.(b) A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.8231.11. (a) The Secretary of State may approve registrations of online notaries public for the military and naval reservations of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps of the United States that are located in the State of California. Such registrants must meet the requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to the requirements of this article.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8203.2, an online notary public approved for registration under subdivision (a) may perform notarial acts for principals who are stationed at the reservation for which that online notary public was appointed, regardless of whether the principal was physically located on the reservation at the time of the notarial act.(c) Notwithstanding Section 8203.5, the electronic online notarial certificate by an online notary public shall contain the name of the reservation for which the online notary public was appointed and where the principal for which the online notarization was performed was stationed at the time of the online notarial act. A notation in the following form shall be sufficient for purposes of this subdivision:State of California Online Notarial ActMilitary Reservation of ________ 8231.8.8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.8231.9.8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019.
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9291 8231. This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the California Online Notary Act of 2018.
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9695 8231. This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the California Online Notary Act of 2018.
9796
98-8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources. (d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.(e) Electronic record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by the online notary public and contains all of the following:(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.(2) The facts attested to by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic record.(i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources. (j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.(k) Online notarization and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.(m) Principal means an individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.(n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.
97+8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.(a)(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity. identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources. (b)(d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.(c)(e) Electronic document record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.(d)(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the portion of a notarized electronic document part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by an the online notary public and contains all of the following:(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, electronic seal, title, and commission expiration date. as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.(2)Other required information concerning the date and type of the online notarization.(3)(2) The facts attested to or certified by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.(e)(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic document that confirms the online notary publics name, jurisdiction, sequential identifying number, and commission expiration date, and record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper documents. records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(f)(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic document record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic document. record.(i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources. (g)(j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.(h)(k) Online notarization means and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by means of two-way video and audio conference an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article. article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.(i)(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been authorized by registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.(j)(m) Principal means an individual whose electronic signature is notarized in an online notarization, or the individual taking an oath or affirmation from the online notary public, but not in the capacity of a witness for the online notarization. individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.(n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (k)(o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.
9998
10099
101100
102101 8231.1. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:
103102
104103 (a) Audio-video communication means being able to see, hear, and communicate with another individual in real time using electronic means.
105104
106-(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.
105+(a)
106+
107+
108+
109+(b) Credential means a record evidencing an individuals identity. identity pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code.
107110
108111 (c) Credential analysis means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the validity of a credential through review of public and proprietary data sources.
109112
113+(b)
114+
115+
116+
110117 (d) Electronic means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.
111118
112-(e) Electronic record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.
119+(c)
113120
114-(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by the online notary public and contains all of the following:
115121
116-(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.
117122
118-(2) The facts attested to by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.
123+(e) Electronic document record means a document or record that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.
119124
120-(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.
125+(d)
121126
122-(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic record.
127+
128+
129+(f) Electronic online notarial certificate means the portion of a notarized electronic document part of, or attachment to, an electronic record that is completed by an the online notary public and contains all of the following:
130+
131+(1) The online notary publics electronic signature, electronic seal, title, and commission expiration date. as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 27391, where applicable, and electronic seal.
132+
133+(2)Other required information concerning the date and type of the online notarization.
134+
135+
136+
137+(3)
138+
139+
140+
141+(2) The facts attested to or certified by the online notary public in the particular online notarization.
142+
143+(e)
144+
145+
146+
147+(g) Electronic seal means information within a notarized electronic document that confirms the online notary publics name, jurisdiction, sequential identifying number, and commission expiration date, and record that generally corresponds to information in notary seals used on paper documents. records and that, where applicable, conforms to the requirement of this article, including, but not limited to, subdivision (b) of Section 8231.7 and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.
148+
149+(f)
150+
151+
152+
153+(h) Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attaching to or logically associated with an electronic document record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic document. record.
123154
124155 (i) Identity proofing means a process or service operating according to criteria adopted by the Secretary of State through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources.
125156
157+(g)
158+
159+
160+
126161 (j) Notarial act means the performance of a duty authorized by Section 8205.
127162
128-(k) Online notarization and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.
163+(h)
129164
130-(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.
131165
132-(m) Principal means an individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.
166+
167+(k) Online notarization means and online notarial act mean a notarial act performed by means of two-way video and audio conference an online notary public by means of audio-video communication technology that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this article. article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.
168+
169+(i)
170+
171+
172+
173+(l) Online notary public means a notary public who has been authorized by registered with the Secretary of State to perform online notarizations pursuant to this article.
174+
175+(j)
176+
177+
178+
179+(m) Principal means an individual whose electronic signature is notarized in an online notarization, or the individual taking an oath or affirmation from the online notary public, but not in the capacity of a witness for the online notarization. individual, other than a credible witness pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, whose electronic signature is notarized, or whose oath or affirmation is taken by an online notary public during an online notarization.
133180
134181 (n) Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
182+
183+(k)
184+
185+
135186
136187 (o) Remote presentation means transmission to the online notary public through communication technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the individual seeking the online notary publics services and to perform credential analysis.
137188
138189 8231.2. This article applies to online notarizations. To the extent that a provision of this article conflicts with Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), this article controls with respect to an online notarization.
139190
140191
141192
142193 8231.2. This article applies to online notarizations. To the extent that a provision of this article conflicts with Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), this article controls with respect to an online notarization.
143194
144-8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. article on or before January 1, 2020. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.
195+8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.
145196
146197
147198
148-8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. article on or before January 1, 2020. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.
199+8231.3. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to implement this article. The rules shall set and maintain standards for online notarizations, including standards for remote presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing. The rules may also address the form and content requirements for an online notarys electronic journal. The Secretary of State may confer with other departments or agencies on matters relating to equipment, security, and technological aspects of the online notarization standards.
149200
150-8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register public, or an applicant during the commissioning of an applicant for appointment as a notary public, may apply for registration with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.(2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.(3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:(A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.(B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.(C) The applicants email address.(b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.(3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal reappointment thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.(B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.(C) The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study. If the Secretary of State does not provide an online notary public education course of study, the Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.(c) An online notary public shall notify the Secretary of State when he or she applies to be appointed as a notary public, seeks reappointment, or enters into a new contract as to which third-party vendor online notarization platform he or she is registered with or will be using.
201+8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.(2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.(3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:(A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.(B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.(C) The applicants email address.(b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.(3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.(B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.(C) The Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.
151202
152203
153204
154-8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register public, or an applicant during the commissioning of an applicant for appointment as a notary public, may apply for registration with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.
205+8231.4. (a) (1) A notary public or an applicant for appointment as a notary public may register with the Secretary of State to be an online notary public in the manner provided by this section.
155206
156207 (2) The Secretary of State may charge a fee for an application for registration submitted pursuant to this section in an amount necessary to administer this article.
157208
158209 (3) The Secretary of State shall develop an application for registration to be submitted by an applicant. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
159210
160211 (A) The applicants name as it appears on the applicants commission or application as a notary public.
161212
162213 (B) A certification that the applicant will comply with this article and the Secretary of States rules and standards adopted pursuant to this article.
163214
164215 (C) The applicants email address.
165216
166217 (b) An applicant for registration as an online notary public shall meet all of the following requirements:
167218
168219 (1) The applicant has a valid commission as a notary public pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), or the applicant has satisfied all of the qualification requirements specified in Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).
169220
170221 (2) The applicant has paid the fee for an application for registration charged by the Secretary of State.
171222
172223 (3) The applicant has submitted the application for registration to the Secretary of State.
173224
174-(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal reappointment thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.
225+(4) (A) The applicant, in connection with the original application for registration, and each renewal thereof, has provided proof that the applicant has satisfactorily completed a three-hour course of study and an examination approved by the Secretary of State concerning the functions and duties of an online notary public.
175226
176227 (B) This course of study and examination required by subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the course of study required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8201.
177228
178-(C) The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study. If the Secretary of State does not provide an online notary public education course of study, the Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.
229+(C) The Secretary of State shall review a course of study proposed by any vendor and shall prescribe by regulation the application form and the certificate of approval form in the same manner as set forth in Section 8201.2. Any approved course of study shall include a required examination that shall be satisfactorily completed by the applicant prior to registration. The Secretary of State may provide an online notary public education course of study.
179230
180-(c) An online notary public shall notify the Secretary of State when he or she applies to be appointed as a notary public, seeks reappointment, or enters into a new contract as to which third-party vendor online notarization platform he or she is registered with or will be using.
181-
182-8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations provided in this article.(c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:(1) In this state.(2) Outside this state but within the United States.(3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.(d) (1) A requirement that a principal appear before or in the presence of the online notary public may be satisfied by means of audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article.(2) Audio-visual communications with an online notary public meets the requirements of this article if it consists of continuous, synchronous audio and video feeds with adequate clarity such that all participants can be clearly seen and understood at all times. The online notary public may terminate the session at their discretion if, in the online notary publics judgment, the adequacy of communications is insufficient for all participants to be clearly seen and understood at all times.(e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature.
231+8231.4.8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations by means provided in this article.(c)An online notary public may perform a notarial act by means of two-way audio and video communication.(c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:(1) In this state.(2) Outside this state but within the United States.(3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.(d) A requirement that an individual a principal appear before or in the presence of a the online notary public may be satisfied by means of two-way audio and video audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. State pursuant to this article.(e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature.
183232
184233
185234
186-8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.
235+8231.4.8231.5. (a) An online notary public is a notary public for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) and is subject to Article 1 to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under Article 1, unless otherwise expressly provided in this article.
187236
188-(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations provided in this article.
237+(b) An online notary public may perform notarial acts provided by Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to online notarizations by means provided in this article.
238+
239+(c)An online notary public may perform a notarial act by means of two-way audio and video communication.
240+
241+
189242
190243 (c) An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located in any of the following places:
191244
192245 (1) In this state.
193246
194247 (2) Outside this state but within the United States.
195248
196249 (3) Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.
197250
198-(d) (1) A requirement that a principal appear before or in the presence of the online notary public may be satisfied by means of audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article.
199-
200-(2) Audio-visual communications with an online notary public meets the requirements of this article if it consists of continuous, synchronous audio and video feeds with adequate clarity such that all participants can be clearly seen and understood at all times. The online notary public may terminate the session at their discretion if, in the online notary publics judgment, the adequacy of communications is insufficient for all participants to be clearly seen and understood at all times.
251+(d) A requirement that an individual a principal appear before or in the presence of a the online notary public may be satisfied by means of two-way audio and video audio-video communication with an online notary public that meets the requirements of this article and any of the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. State pursuant to this article.
201252
202253 (e) A requirement under Section 8205 that a certificate of acknowledgment or proof, or a deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation, or certification of a copy, be signed in the notary publics own handwriting, is satisfied by an electronic signature.
203254
204-8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep one or more secure electronic journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public pursuant to this article.(b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.(c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:(1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.(2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.(3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.(4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.(6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:(A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.(B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.(C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.(7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.(d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.(e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.(f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.(g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal reappointment within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.
255+8231.5.8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep a one or more secure electronic journal with each journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public if the notarial act is an online notarization pursuant to this article.(b)An online notary public shall immediately notify an appropriate law enforcement agency and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary public's electronic journal.(b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.(c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:(1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.(2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.(3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.(4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).(5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.(6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:(A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.(B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.(C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.(7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.(d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.(e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.(f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.(g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.
205256
206257
207258
208-8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep one or more secure electronic journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public pursuant to this article.
259+8231.5.8231.6. (a) An online notary public shall keep a one or more secure electronic journal with each journals to record each online notarial act performed by the online notary public if the notarial act is an online notarization pursuant to this article.
260+
261+(b)An online notary public shall immediately notify an appropriate law enforcement agency and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary public's electronic journal.
262+
263+
209264
210265 (b) For notarial acts performed pursuant solely to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200), an online notary public may maintain either an electronic journal pursuant to this section, or one active and sequential journal pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206, or both.
211266
212267 (c) The electronic journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized electronic records that may be in the possession of the online notary public and shall include all of the following:
213268
214269 (1) The date, time, and type of each official act. The time entered shall be the time at the notarys location at the time of the online notarial act.
215270
216271 (2) The physical location of the principal as represented to the online notary public by the principal at the time of the online notarial act.
217272
218273 (3) The character of every electronic record sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the online notary public.
219274
220275 (4) Whether the notarial act was an online notarial act pursuant to this article or a notarial act pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200).
221276
222277 (5) The electronic signature of each person whose electronic signature is being notarized.
223278
224279 (6) Satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal whose acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation was taken pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8231.8, which shall be in the form of:
225280
226281 (A) A notation of the type of identification credential provided to the online notary public for credential analysis, a record of the identity proofing, and other information as may be required by the Secretary of State.
227282
228283 (B) The name of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the persons identity and, for each credible witness, a description of the type of credential provided to the online notary public and any other information required by the Secretary of State.
229284
230285 (C) A notation of the public key certificate or other means of identity proofing pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 8231.8, if any.
231286
232287 (7) The fee, if any, charged for the online notarization.
233288
234289 (d) The online notary public shall maintain a recording of an online notarization that is the basis for evidence of identity and a notation of the type of credential presented as evidence pursuant to the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. The recording shall be in addition to, and apart from, the electronic journal, and the online notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the recording from unauthorized use.
235290
236291 (e) The requirements of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8206 do not apply to an online notarial act.
237292
238293 (f) The online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic journal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. The electronic journal may be maintained on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic journal. The online notary public shall maintain a backup of the electronic journal and protect the journal from unauthorized use.
239294
240295 (g) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic journal.
241296
242-(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal reappointment within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.
297+(h) An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified, is removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a renewal within 30 days shall, pursuant to Section 8209, within 30 days deliver the electronic journal to the clerk of the county in which the online notary publics current official oath of office is on file.
243298
244-8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:(1) The name of the online notary public.(2) The Great Seal of the State of California. (2)(3) The words Online Notary Public.(3)(4) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.(5) The date the notary publics commission expires. (4)(6) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any. public.(5)(7) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.(c) A manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal shall apply to the Secretary of State to be assigned an identification number, through an application process prescribed by the Secretary of State. The electronic seal shall meet the requirements of this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State. (c)(d) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal. Failure to secure the electronic signature and seal shall be cause for the Secretary of State to take public administrative action against the commission and registration held by the online notary public pursuant to Section 8214.1.(d)(e) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.(e)(f) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.
299+8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:(1) The name of the online notary public.(2) The words Online Notary Public.(3) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.(4) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any.(5) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.(c) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.(d) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.(e) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.
245300
246301
247302
248303 8231.7. (a) An online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any registered device used to create an electronic signature or electronic seal is current and has not been revoked or terminated by the devices issuing or registering authority.
249304
250305 (b) Notwithstanding Section 8207, when an online notary publics electronic signature is required to be accompanied by an online notary publics electronic seal, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic seal of the online notary public contains all of the following:
251306
252307 (1) The name of the online notary public.
253308
254-(2) The Great Seal of the State of California.
309+(2) The words Online Notary Public.
255310
256-(2)
311+(3) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.
257312
313+(4) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any.
258314
315+(5) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.
259316
260-(3) The words Online Notary Public.
317+(c) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.
261318
262-(3)
319+(d) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.
263320
264-
265-
266-(4) The name of the county where the bond and oath of office of the online notary public are filed.
267-
268-(5) The date the notary publics commission expires.
269-
270-(4)
271-
272-
273-
274-(6) The sequential identification number assigned to the online notary public, if any. public.
275-
276-(5)
277-
278-
279-
280-(7) The sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal.
281-
282-(c) A manufacturer or vendor of the online notary publics electronic seal shall apply to the Secretary of State to be assigned an identification number, through an application process prescribed by the Secretary of State. The electronic seal shall meet the requirements of this article and any rules adopted by the Secretary of State.
283-
284-(c)
285-
286-
287-
288-(d) An online notary public shall keep the online notary publics electronic signature and electronic seal in a secure manner under the direct and exclusive control of the online notary public. For purposes of this subdivision, the electronic signature and electronic seal may be kept on a storage device or online media that is accessed by the online notary public with a password or other secure means of authentication and protected by the minimum-security requirements as set forth by the Secretary of State. The online notary public shall not allow another person to use the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal. Failure to secure the electronic signature and seal shall be cause for the Secretary of State to take public administrative action against the commission and registration held by the online notary public pursuant to Section 8214.1.
289-
290-(d)
291-
292-
293-
294-(e) An online notary public shall attach or logically associate the online notary publics electronic signature and seal to an electronic online notarial certificate of an electronic record in a manner that is capable of independent verification and makes evident any tampering or subsequent change or modification to the electronic record that has occurred.
295-
296-(e)
297-
298-
299-
300-(f) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.
321+(e) An online notary public shall immediately notify all appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State of the loss, compromise, theft, vandalism, or use by another person of the online notary publics electronic signature or electronic seal.
301322
302323 8231.8. (a) In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall verify the identity of a principal by satisfactory evidence that meets the requirements of this subdivision and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subdivision, satisfactory evidence means the absence of information, evidence, or other circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the principal is not the individual he or she claims to be and any one of the following:(1) The oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the online notary public or of two credible witnesses that meet the requirements of Section 1185 of the Civil Code.(2) All of the following:(A) Remote presentation of a credential by the principal.(B) Credential analysis of the credential described in paragraph (A).(C) Identity proofing of the principal described in paragraph (A).(3) A valid public key certificate that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(4) Any other identity proofing method that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.(b) The online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication used in an online notarization is secure from unauthorized interception.(c) The electronic online notarial certificate shall include a notation that the notarization is an online notarization. An electronic online notarial certificate shall be in the following form:(1) For an acknowledgment:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________(here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________________ by means of audio-video communication, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within electronic record and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the electronic record the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the electronic record. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(2) For a jurat:State of CaliforniaCounty of __________________________Online Notarial ActSubscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ____ day of _____, 20__, by ____________________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me by means of audio-video communication.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal ____________(3) For a proof of execution by a subscribing witness:State of CaliforniaCounty of ________________________Online Notarial ActOn ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________ (here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________ (name of subscribing witness) by means of audio-video communication, proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within electronic record, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ______________________________ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying credential._________________ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, as a witness at the request of ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)).WITNESS my hand and official seal.Electronic Signature___________Electronic Seal____________(d) The certificate for a copy certification of a power of attorney performed by means of audio-video communication shall include the representations required under subdivision (c) of Section 4307 of the Probate Code.
303324
304325
305326
306327 8231.8. (a) In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall verify the identity of a principal by satisfactory evidence that meets the requirements of this subdivision and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subdivision, satisfactory evidence means the absence of information, evidence, or other circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the principal is not the individual he or she claims to be and any one of the following:
307328
308329 (1) The oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the online notary public or of two credible witnesses that meet the requirements of Section 1185 of the Civil Code.
309330
310331 (2) All of the following:
311332
312333 (A) Remote presentation of a credential by the principal.
313334
314335 (B) Credential analysis of the credential described in paragraph (A).
315336
316337 (C) Identity proofing of the principal described in paragraph (A).
317338
318339 (3) A valid public key certificate that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.
319340
320341 (4) Any other identity proofing method that conforms with standards adopted by the Secretary of State by rule.
321342
322343 (b) The online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication used in an online notarization is secure from unauthorized interception.
323344
324345 (c) The electronic online notarial certificate shall include a notation that the notarization is an online notarization. An electronic online notarial certificate shall be in the following form:
325346
326347 (1) For an acknowledgment:
327348
328349 State of California
329350
330351 County of __________________________
331352
332353 Online Notarial Act
333354
334355 On ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________(here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________________ by means of audio-video communication, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within electronic record and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the electronic record the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the electronic record.
335356
336357 I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
337358
338359 WITNESS my hand and official seal.
339360
340361 Electronic Signature___________
341362
342363 Electronic Seal ____________
343364
344365 (2) For a jurat:
345366
346367 State of California
347368
348369 County of __________________________
349370
350371 Online Notarial Act
351372
352373 Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ____ day of _____, 20__, by ____________________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me by means of audio-video communication.
353374
354375 Electronic Signature___________
355376
356377 Electronic Seal ____________
357378
358379 (3) For a proof of execution by a subscribing witness:
359380
360381 State of California
361382
362383 County of ________________________
363384
364385 Online Notarial Act
365386
366387 On ________ ______, 20____, before me, __________________________________ (here insert name and title of officer), personally appeared _______________________ (name of subscribing witness) by means of audio-video communication, proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within electronic record, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ______________________________ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying credential.
367388
368389 _________________ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within, attached, or logically associated electronic record, as a witness at the request of ____________________ (name(s) of principal(s)).
369390
370391 WITNESS my hand and official seal.
371392
372393 Electronic Signature___________
373394
374395 Electronic Seal____________
375396
376397 (d) The certificate for a copy certification of a power of attorney performed by means of audio-video communication shall include the representations required under subdivision (c) of Section 4307 of the Probate Code.
377398
378399 8231.9. An online notary public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for any of the acts authorized under subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 8211.
379400
380401
381402
382403 8231.9. An online notary public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for any of the acts authorized under subdivisions (a), (b), and (e) of Section 8211.
383404
384-8231.10. (a)Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified or removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a reappointment, within 30 days, pursuant to Section 8209, shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.(b)A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.
405+
406+
407+An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this article and the rules adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this article for a principal who is located:
385408
386409
387410
388-8231.10. (a)Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates An online notary public who resigns, is disqualified or removed from office, or allows his or her registration as an online notary public to expire without obtaining a reappointment, within 30 days, pursuant to Section 8209, shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.
411+(a)In this state.
412+
413+
414+
415+(b)Outside this state but within the United States.
416+
417+
418+
419+(c)Outside the United States if the online notary public has no actual knowledge that the act is prohibited in the jurisdiction in which the principal is physically located at the time of the act.
420+
421+
422+
423+8231.7.8231.10. (a) Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.(b) A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.
424+
425+
426+
427+8231.7.8231.10. (a) Except as provided by subdivision (b), an online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminates shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary publics official electronic signature or seal. The online notary public shall certify compliance with this subdivision to the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed by rule by the Secretary of State.
389428
390429 (b) A former online notary public whose commission to perform notarial acts terminated for a reason other than revocation or a denial of renewal is not required to destroy the items described by subdivision (a) if the former online notary public is recommissioned as an online notary public and registered as an online notary public with the same electronic signature and electronic seal within three months after the former online notary publics former commission terminated.
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394431 8231.11. (a) The Secretary of State may approve registrations of online notaries public for the military and naval reservations of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps of the United States that are located in the State of California. Such registrants must meet the requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to the requirements of this article.(b) Notwithstanding Section 8203.2, an online notary public approved for registration under subdivision (a) may perform notarial acts for principals who are stationed at the reservation for which that online notary public was appointed, regardless of whether the principal was physically located on the reservation at the time of the notarial act.(c) Notwithstanding Section 8203.5, the electronic online notarial certificate by an online notary public shall contain the name of the reservation for which the online notary public was appointed and where the principal for which the online notarization was performed was stationed at the time of the online notarial act. A notation in the following form shall be sufficient for purposes of this subdivision:State of California Online Notarial ActMilitary Reservation of ________
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398435 8231.11. (a) The Secretary of State may approve registrations of online notaries public for the military and naval reservations of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps of the United States that are located in the State of California. Such registrants must meet the requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 8200) in addition to the requirements of this article.
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400437 (b) Notwithstanding Section 8203.2, an online notary public approved for registration under subdivision (a) may perform notarial acts for principals who are stationed at the reservation for which that online notary public was appointed, regardless of whether the principal was physically located on the reservation at the time of the notarial act.
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402439 (c) Notwithstanding Section 8203.5, the electronic online notarial certificate by an online notary public shall contain the name of the reservation for which the online notary public was appointed and where the principal for which the online notarization was performed was stationed at the time of the online notarial act. A notation in the following form shall be sufficient for purposes of this subdivision:
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404441 State of California Online Notarial Act
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406443 Military Reservation of ________
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408-8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.
445+8231.8.8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.
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412-8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.
449+8231.8.8231.12. A person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains, conceals, damages, or destroys the certificate, disk, coding, card, program, software, or hardware enabling an online notary public to affix an official electronic signature or electronic seal is guilty of a misdemeanor.
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414-8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019. January 1, 2020.
451+8231.9.8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019.
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418-8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019. January 1, 2020.
455+8231.9.8231.13. This article shall become operative on July 1, 2019.
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420457 SEC. 4. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
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422459 SEC. 4. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
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424461 SEC. 4. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
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426463 ### SEC. 4.