Iowa Removes Training Requirement for Non-Remote Notarial Acts

The Iowa Secretary of State has recently updated its administrative rules to remove a training requirement for notaries public who are not performing remote notarizations.  Previously, all Iowa notaries were required to complete a training course within the six months prior to submitting an application for Appointment as a Notary Public.  The new rulemaking, effective October 14, 2020, noted that “[t]raining for notaries public who do not wish to perform remote notarial acts will continue to be offered and recommended by the Secretary of State’s Office but will no longer be mandatory.”

Iowa’s new electronic and remote notarization laws took effect July 1, 2020 (see WBK’s previous coverage here).