Maryland Changes Notary Law to Include Remote Notarizations

Maryland has amended its notary law to allow for remote notarizations. The changes go into effect on October 1, 2020.

Under the new law, among other requirements, notaries will have to notify the Secretary of State beforehand that they will be performing remote notarizations, and of the communication technology they intend to use.  Notaries must use identity proofing to establish the correct identity of the remote individual.  The communication technology must enable notaries and the remote individual to simultaneously communicate with each other by sight and sound, with considerations made for individuals with vision, hearing, or speech disabilities.  Notaries must also retain a copy of the audio-visual recording of the remote notarization.