California Online Notary Act of 2019.
The act mandates online notaries to maintain secure electronic journals to record their notarial acts, ensuring documentation integrity. Moreover, it incorporates provisions to protect electronic notarial certificates, which must conform to specific formats and be signed under penalty of perjury. This modernization holds significant implications for California's civil law framework, enhancing notary services and potentially affecting a broad array of transactions that require notarized documentation.
Assembly Bill 199, known as the California Online Notary Act of 2019, seeks to modernize the notarial process by enabling online notarizations through audio-video communication. Set to begin on January 1, 2021, the bill allows notaries public or applicants to register as online notaries with the Secretary of State, contingent upon meeting specified requirements. By developing an application for registration, the Secretary of State will facilitate the transition to online notarization, thus broadening access and efficiency in notarization processes across California.
A crucial aspect of AB 199 is its delineation of authorized online notaries from unauthorized individuals, enforcing strict regulations against the misuse of electronic signatures and seals. Those who unlawfully obtain or damage notary materials may face misdemeanor charges. The focus on regulatory compliance and identity verification, including the potential use of credential analysis, underscores concerns about compliance and security within this new digital framework of notarization.