NWCUA to Testify on Oregon Legislation Authorizing Remote Online Notarization

Posted by Ben Shuey on March 10, 2021

The Northwest Credit Union Association will provide testimony during Thursday’s hearing on Senate Bill 765, making permanent the law allowing for remote online notarization.

The testimony will include the following key points.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) allows a commissioned notary public to perform notarial acts for remotely located individuals under specified circumstances using audio/video technology provided by state-approved vendors that meet specific requirements. Remote online notarization benefits credit unions and their members by allowing notaries to electronically and remotely notarize documents, providing a tamper-proof electronic version of the document. It also would eliminate physical distancing concerns for consumers and would eliminate the need for rural residents to travel significant distances just to have a document notarized. The NWCUA would like to lend our voice and strong support for SB765 to make permanent the legislation passed in the first special session of 2020 (HB4212). HB4212 allows for remote notarization through June 30, 2021.

In 2019, the Northwest Credit Union Association led the charge to authorize the recording of documents (such as trust deeds) that were created and signed electronically. The legislation, signed into law, provided lenders, title insurers, and county recording offices the assurance that electronically signed documents can be recorded as long as they satisfy all applicable recording requirements. Remote notarization has been our next goal in updating laws related to lending practices.

This permanent change will allow for the ability to practice strong social distancing standards and provide Oregon citizens and businesses with a secure and safe method by which to execute important legal documents, and to promote and secure the safety and protections of individuals. We are especially aware that our senior citizens and rural Oregonians may need alternative methods for notarization during this time.

Your advocacy team will keep you updated on this effort.

Posted in Advocacy on the Move, Oregon Advocacy.