HB470 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andy WhittRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Notary publics, all deeds and other instruments in writing acknowledged via remote notarization before July 1, 2021, ratified and validated, use of remote authorization, authorized, Sec. 36-20-73.1 added; Sec. 35-4-26 am'd.

Summary

HB470 would authorize remote notarization in Alabama and ratify past remote acknowledgments for deeds and related instruments.

What This Bill Does

It ratifies and validates remote notarizations of deeds, mortgages, and other title documents executed or acknowledged before July 1, 2021. It also creates a formal framework to allow remote notarization going forward, including live two‑way audio‑video notarizations, identity verification, and records retention. It clarifies that out‑of‑state acknowledgments that meet the proper standards have the same effect as in‑state acknowledgments, and it confirms emergency remote notarization actions previously allowed under state law.

Who It Affects

• Notaries public in Alabama who perform acknowledgments, now authorized to conduct remote notarizations under the new rules.
• Signatories to deeds, mortgages, and other instruments affecting title in Alabama (e.g., property buyers/sellers, borrowers, lenders, and military or armed forces dependents) who may use remote notarization.

Key Provisions

• Amendment to Section 35-4-26 to allow acknowledgments and related instruments to be taken by specified officials in and outside Alabama and to recognize valid out-of-state acknowledgments.
• New Section 36-20-73.1 establishing remote notarization rules, including requirement that the notary be physically in Alabama, use two-way audio-video, and record the session for seven years with specified identity verification and documentation retention.
• Provisions ratifying remote acknowledgments and certain instruments previously recorded or executed before July 1, 2021 (and potentially using two-way video) as valid.
• Section authorizing and preserving emergency remote notarization actions under the Alabama Emergency Management Act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Notaries Public