Bill > HB5289

This bill amends Michigan's existing notary public law to permanently establish guidelines for remote online notarization (RON), which allows notaries to perform notarial acts using two-way audiovisual technology. The bill requires that the video technology enable direct, simultaneous interaction between the notary, the person seeking notarization, and any witnesses, with the entire interaction being recorded. Notaries must verify the identity of participants both before and during the video conference, and can only proceed if the document is related to a Michigan matter or transaction. The bill specifies that participants must be able to digitally sign documents in a tamper-evident manner, and the notary must receive a legible copy of the signed document on the same day and then notarize and return it. Importantly, the bill removes previous time limitations on remote notarization, effectively making these provisions permanent. The legislation also encourages governmental agencies to accept electronically notarized documents and considers remote audiovisual interactions as satisfying in-person witness and notary requirements. Additionally, the bill provides legal protections for documents notarized under these provisions, presuming compliance unless clear evidence of intentional non-compliance can be proven.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-5289