Remote Online Notarization Act; enact.
If enacted, SB2622 will amend existing sections of the Mississippi Code to encompass the new procedures for remote notarization. It enables notaries to verify identities through various means, such as personal knowledge and identity proofing from trusted sources. Additionally, notaries will be required to maintain audiovisual recordings of the notarization sessions, thereby enhancing the security and traceability of such transactions. This reform is anticipated to improve access to notarial services, particularly in a post-pandemic context where remote interactions are increasingly common.
Senate Bill 2622, known as the Remote Online Notarization Act, seeks to establish a new framework for notarial acts in Mississippi by allowing notaries to perform these acts using communication technology. This modernizes the traditional process of notarization, which typically requires physical presence, enabling notaries to facilitate transactions for remotely located individuals. The bill outlines specific definitions related to this process, including the terms 'communication technology', 'identity proofing', and 'remotely located individual', all of which serve to clarify how notarial duties can be conducted in a digital environment.
While many support the modernization approach presented by SB2622, concerns have arisen regarding the potential risks associated with remote notarization, such as the adequacy of identity verification when individuals are not physically present. Critics argue that reliance on technology could lead to fraud if notaries are unable to substantiate identities effectively. Furthermore, there are apprehensions about ensuring that the necessary standards for communication technology are met to maintain the integrity of notarial acts. As the Secretary of State is tasked with adopting rules governing these new practices, the effectiveness of the implementation will depend on the regulatory framework developed in response to these challenges.