Bill > A06441

This bill introduces comprehensive new requirements for notaries public and commissioners of deeds when handling residential real property transactions. Specifically, the bill mandates that these officials create and maintain a detailed notarial record for each property transfer document, which must include extensive information such as the date of the notarial act, property identification details, signatures and addresses of all parties, identification verification, and the notary's personal and professional information. The record must be filed within 14 days with the county clerk's office or, if created through a professional entity like a law firm or financial institution, retained by that organization. Notaries may charge an additional $25 fee for creating this record, and they are required to retain the record for ten years without making personal copies. The bill also expands legal definitions and penalties related to forgery and false documents in real property transactions, creating new criminal offenses for offering false instruments for filing that involve residential real property. Violations of these new requirements can result in significant financial penalties, including filing an official bond of $25,000 for a first offense and $50,000 for subsequent offenses. The legislation aims to increase transparency and reduce fraud in residential property transfers by implementing more rigorous documentation and verification processes.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6441