The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is among a group of organizations that have expressed their support for a bill that would permit remote notary signing.
The organizations point out that requiring the physical presence of the signer for a notarized document is often impractical, particularly with COVID-19-related distancing practices, which is why they support the Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic (SECURE) Notarization Act (H.R. 3962).
H.R. 3962 would allow for the immediate nationwide use of remote online notarization technology. The technology provides certainty for interstate recognition and establishes robust consumer protection standards.
“The SECURE Notarization Act provides businesses and consumers with the ability to execute critical documents using two-way audiovisual communication. Current requirements for a signer to physically be in the presence of a Notary are often impractical and sometimes impossible due to social distancing constraints resulting from COVID-19, as well as other barriers including military service or work travel,” the organizations wrote in a letter to the bill’s sponsors, U.S. Reps. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) and Kelly Armstrong (R-SD).
The proposed legislation has more than 90 co-sponsors from both parties.
“Given the dramatic adjustments businesses have had to make during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government should provide the critical tools to leverage technology to continue to keep Americans safe while also meeting their needs into the future through innovation. The past few years have shown technological solutions can increase accessibility and reduce burdens for people across the United States,” they added.