MN SF4

Permits notarial officers to satisfy the personal appearance requirement for certain real estate documents through video conferencing during and for 60 days after a COVID-19 peacetime public health emergency declared by the governor.

Requires notarial officers to create and maintain audio and video recordings of all remote notarizations for at least ten years, with recordings subject to inspection by the Minnesota commissioner of commerce.

Mandates notarial officers inform signers that the authority is temporary, that recording is occurring, that recordings may be inspected by the commissioner of commerce, and that recordings will be maintained for ten years.

Requires both the notarial officer and signer to be physically located within Minnesota and communicate in real time via video conference for the remote notarization to be valid.

Expires January 6, 2021, with notarial officers required to take reasonable steps to ensure recording integrity, security, and authenticity and to maintain backup copies protected from unauthorized access.