HB470 Summary

• Ratifies and validates all deeds, conveyances, deeds of trust, mortgages, mineral leases, marriage contracts, and other written instruments affecting real or personal property that were acknowledged via remote notarization before July 1, 2021.

• Authorizes notaries public to conduct remote notarization using two-way audio-video communication technology, provided the notary is physically located in Alabama and the communication is recorded and maintained for seven years.

• Requires identity verification of signatories through remote notarization using either the notary's personal knowledge, two valid government-issued forms of identification, or verification through public or private data sources.

• Establishes recording requirements for remote notarial acts, including date and time, document descriptions, notary attestation of being in-state, identification verification method, clear images of identification and signing, and notary authentication.

• Becomes effective July 1, 2021, and ratifies any remote notarization actions previously taken under the Alabama Emergency Management Act before that date.