By Jordan M. Wassel, Esq.

In April of 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 health crisis, Governor Murphy signed into law temporary legislation permitting documents to be notarized remotely for the duration of the state of emergency. At that time, in light of the social distancing protocols, the legislation provided notaries and officers authorized to take oaths, the ability to notarize documents using videoconferencing technology.

On July 22, 2021, Governor Murphy signed into law a permanent version of the temporary law. Beyond the change from temporary to permanent, the law now permits remote notarization for Last Wills and Testaments and Codicils. Additionally, the new law expands the continuing education and examination requirements for notaries who are not attorneys.

The education and examination requirements are effective 365 days from enactment and the other provisions, including the remote notarization of Last Wills and Testaments and Codicils, are effective 90 days from enactment.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact any member of Schenck Price’s Tax Trusts and Estates Practice Group.

DISCLAIMER: This Alert is designed to keep you aware of recent developments in the law.  It is not intended to be legal advice, which can only be given after the attorney understands the facts of a particular matter and the goals of the client.