News — Pennsylvania Remote Notarization

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has signed into law a Philadelphia Bar Association-backed bill that allows for remote notarization of legal documents. The law goes into effect immediately.

Please see the following information from the Pennsylvania Department of State regarding remote notarization updates: Until the COVID-19 epidemic, Pennsylvania law required all notarial acts, even those performed electronically with respect to electronic records, to be done in the physical presence of the notary or other notarial officer. Remote online notarization was first permitted in March 2020, but was limited to very specific transactions per COVID-19 waivers approved by the Governor. On April 20, 2020, Governor Wolf signed into law Act 15, effective immediately, which temporarily authorizes remote notarization for all Pennsylvania notaries public. This authorization will expire 60 days after termination or...