Florida Notaries...2019 SB 548 filed 1/28/2019

“Electronic Legal Documents; Revising provisions relating to use of the office of notary public; authorizing online notarizations; specifying registration and qualification requirements for online notaries public; prescribing online notarization procedures; specifying the manner by which an online notary public must verify the identity of a principal or a witness, etc.”

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/00548/?Tab=BillText

Also HB 409 (2019)

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/00409

Looks like changes may be coming!

Effective Date: Except as otherwise expressly provided in this act, and except for this section, which shall take effect upon becoming a law, this act shall take effect January 1, 2020
Last Action: 1/28/2019 Senate - Filed

Well, I made it thru page 22 of 63 before I couldn’t stop laughing. Most interesting is Venue is where the notary is located AND the laws of notary’s state will be applicable to any lawsuit. Wonder how that will work out for everyone NOT in FL.

Oh, yeah, and notary chooses remote provider…but what if lender/TC use/want a different one? Admittedly, this IS something I just don’t understand about remote notarization.

UPDATE: Passed the house this morning - Yeas 87 Nays 28

On to the Senate.

Florida notaries be prepared - this looks like it will be a done deal. Now to wait for the fallout from it (a/k/a lawsuits)

UPDATE: Passed the Senate - most likely will become law.

It will behoove all Florida notaries to read this bill… http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/00409/?Tab=BillText

note

a. $25,000 bond required
b. $25,000 E&O required
c. Electronic journal required }
d. Retention of video required } both c & d are required to be kept for 10

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UPDATE AGAIN: Approved by Governor

CS/CS/HB 409 (2019) Electronic Legal Documents
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/00409
– Approved by Governor

Whew… good luck FL notaries. So much in this bill is ‘to be determined later’.