KS HB2696

Creates a new "verified notary public" category in Kansas for notaries who notarize real estate documents, requiring them to submit biometric information through a device-bound authentication system that uses three-dimensional liveness detection technology to confirm identity and prevent fraud.

Requires all notaries public who notarize real estate documents to become verified notaries public and use the biometric antifraud system by December 31, 2027, after which no county may accept a real estate document for recording without authentication through the system.

Mandates that every county develop and implement protocols for integrating the biometric authentication system by December 31, 2027, with certification hardware available at a minimum of one county government office per county, and requires the Secretary of State to approve all systems used for county recording.

Specifies that biometric data of verified notaries must be anonymized and held by the system vendor, while personal identification information is stored by the Secretary of State; no biometric data may be held by the state or any subdivision of the state.

Permits verified notaries public to charge a reasonable additional fee, approved by the Secretary of State, for notarizing real estate documents to cover costs of device-bound hardware and biometric system use, and amends K.S.A. 58-2209 and 58-2211 to subject real estate conveyance acknowledgments to the new requirements.