Bulletin: CA2023011

Dear Associates:

Chapter 291, Senate Bill 696 was signed by the governor on September 30, 2023. Effective January 1, 2024, you may begin accepting the use of Remote Online Notarization (RON) for the notarization of documents involving transactions in California, provided that: (i) the RON is performed by a non-California notary commissioned in a state where RON is permissible, (ii) the RON is performed in accordance with the collective requirements set forth in STG national bulletins, SLS2020003 and SLS2022008, and (iii) the county in which the documents are to be recorded accommodates electronic recordings, as there is no “papering out” provision in the new legislation (as of the date of this revision, there are still thirteen counties that do not yet e-record).

Further, you must understand and comply with both your company’s internal guidelines and requirements regarding RON, and, when applicable, the lender’s RON guidelines and requirements.

NOTE: Item 10 and the linked chart in SLS2020003 may not yet, as of the date of issuance of this bulletin, be revised to include California. For questions regarding RON and its application and/or use in California transactions, please contact an STG California underwriter; for states other than California, please contact the applicable state's Regional Underwriting Counsel.

There are other provisions of Chapter 291 that have delayed implementation. Effective January 1, 2025, RON software companies will be required to meet certain specified requirements. On January 1, 2030 (or sooner if the Secretary of State finalizes the rules and regulations), the California Online Notarization Act will take effect and California notaries will be able to apply for approval to conduct RON transactions.

If you have any questions about this bulletin or any other bulletin, please contact a member of your Stewart Title Guaranty Company's California Underwriting Team.

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