By: Michael L. Moskowitz and Melissa A. Guseynov

As practitioners are aware, notarization is required for numerous sworn statements and affidavits. This typically requires the person executing the document to physically appear before a notary public. However, with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, New York allowed remote notarization to take place on a limited and temporary basis. However, on December 22, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Senate Bill 1780C, which permanently provides for electronic notarization with the use of video technology, subject to certain restrictions. The law, which takes effect on June 20, 2022, aligns New York with a majority of states that permit remote notarization.