SB275 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Sam GivhanSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Notary publics, 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

Summary

SB275 authorizes remote notarization for acknowledgments in Alabama, ratifies prior emergency-era remote actions, and sets rules, penalties, and limits related to notaries and voting.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new section that lets an Alabama-based notary perform remote notarizations for acknowledgments when the signer appears via two-way video, with the session recorded and kept for seven years. It requires identity verification, describes what must be recorded (date/time, documents, ID images, and signing), and defines when the notarization time is considered to occur. It ratifies remote notary actions taken under the Emergency Management Act before July 1, 2021. It prohibits remote notarization for absentee ballot applications or affidavits and imposes a Class C misdemeanor for intentional or fraudulent violations.

Who It Affects

• Notaries public in Alabama gain new authority to perform remote notarizations for acknowledgments, with recording, verification, retention requirements, and potential penalties for violations.
• People who need documents notarized (signers) can use remote notarization for acknowledgments if the notary is in Alabama and signers appear via two-way video, subject to identity checks and recording rules; remote notarization cannot be used for absentee ballot applications or affidavits or voting-related documents.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 36-20-73.1 to authorize remote notarization of acknowledgments and defines relevant terms (original signature, signatory).
• Allows appearance by physical presence or two-way audio-video with the notary in Alabama; requires recording of the session and seven-year retention.
• Requires identity verification by either the notary's personal knowledge or two valid IDs plus a data-source verification process.
• Requires the recording to include date/time, description of the documents, attestation of the notary being in Alabama, method of identity verification, clear images of IDs and the signing, and defines the official notarization time.
• Provides for ratification of remote notarizations conducted under the Emergency Management Act before July 1, 2021.
• Prohibits remote notarization for absentee ballot applications or affidavits or any voting-related purpose.
• Imposes a Class C misdemeanor for intentional or fraudulent violations of the section.
• Effective date is July 1, 2021, with provisions excluding the bill from certain constitutional expenditure requirements due to crime-definition changes.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Notaries Public