The Mississippi House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 1154 (HB 1154) which addresses the use of remote online notarization (“RON”) in the state. On February 17, 2025, the bill was advanced to the Senate for consideration.
HB 1154 establishes a legal framework for notaries public to perform remote notarizations by means of audio-video communication. The bill aims to modernize the state’s notarization process, enhance convenience for users, and expand access to notarial services.
Notable requirements under the bill include:
- The bill would apply to notarial acts performed after July 1, 2025.
- Notaries would be prohibited from performing a remote notarization when the notary does not know how to operate the required technology or if the technology does not meet certain requirements.
- Notarial certificates would need to indicate when a notarization is performed remotely by adding language that the notary act “involved the use of communication technology” and was acknowledged “in a manner that satisfied the requirements of Section 25-34-11”. Section 5 of HB 1154 would update Mississippi Code Section 25-34-11 to require a notary to register with the Secretary of State.
- Notaries public would be required to keep a secure electronic journal for online notarial acts that is capable of providing both physical and electronic copies of an entry.
- If a notary dies or becomes incompetent, all audio-video recordings would need to be provided to a repository designated by the Secretary of State. All recordings must be retained for at least seven years after an audio-visual recording is made.
If passed into law, the bill would require the Mississippi Secretary of State to develop an application for notary registration and establish rules for implementing remote online notarizations. DocMagic will provide additional updates regarding the status of HB 1154 as more information becomes available.
