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Governor Mills issued an Executive Order this week permitting remote notarization for most transactions, including estate planning and business transactions. The order took effect on April 8 and will terminate after 30 days unless amended or rescinded. The League joined with several other interested parties in requesting Governor Mills’ action on this issue.
“Our League is very pleased that Governor Mills temporarily granted the ability for remote notarization,” said Robert Caverly, League Vice President of Governmental Affairs. “Notarizing documents is an essential daily function at credit unions and not having the ability to do this remotely was becoming a challenge for our institutions.”
This order does not authorize electronic notarization, but allows for the use of cameras to remotely witness a signature. Among other things, the Executive Order states:
- The Notary must be physically located within Maine.
- Notarization and witnessing should be completed via two-way audio-video communication, following specific conditions.
- The Signatory must verify that he or she is located in Maine and state the County in which they are located.
“Remote notary will enable Mainers and credit unions to keep the flow of important verified paperwork in process as we continue to deal with the current pandemic,” said Caverly.
Please read the full Executive Order for full details regarding the conditions that must be met to suspend in-person notarial acts.