MCL 55.286b Remote Electronic Notarization Platforms; Requirements; Approval; Review Standards; Recording Limitations; Journal; Requirements; Custodian

• Library: Michigan Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through Public Act 321 of the 2023 Legislative Session
• Year: 2023
• Citation: MCL 55.286b

(1) Beginning March 30, 2019, the secretary and the department of technology, management, and budget shall review and may approve remote electronic notarization platforms for the performance of notarial acts in this state. A notary public shall not use a remote electronic notarization platform that is not approved under this section.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), in developing criteria for the approval of any remote electronic notarization platform for use in this state, the secretary of state and the department of technology, management, and budget shall consider, at a minimum, all of the following:

(a) The need to ensure that any change to or tampering with an electronic record containing the information required under this act is evident.

(b) The need to ensure integrity in the creation, transmittal, storage, or authentication of remote electronic notarizations, records, or signatures.

(c) The need to prevent fraud or mistake in the performance of remote electronic notarizations.

(d) The ability to adequately investigate and authenticate a notarial act performed remotely with that remote electronic notarization platform.

(e) The most recent standards regarding remote electronic notarization promulgated by national bodies, including, but not limited to, the National Association of Secretaries of State.

(f) The standards, practices, and customs of other jurisdictions that allow remote electronic notarial acts.

(3) If a remote electronic notarization platform for the performance of remote electronic notarizations is approved or certified by a government-sponsored enterprise, as that term is defined in 2 USC 622 (8), the secretary of state and the department of technology, management, and budget shall approve the platform for use in this state if verifiable proof of that approval or certification is provided to the secretary and department, unless use of the remote electronic notarization platform is affirmatively disallowed by the secretary.

(4) The secretary and the department of technology, management, and budget shall review their standards for approving remote electronic notarization platforms for use in this state, and whether the number of approved remote electronic notarization platforms are sufficient, at least every 4 years.

(5) A notary public may perform a notarial act using a remote electronic notarization platform if either of the following is met:

(a) The notary public makes all applicable determinations under section 25 according to personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence, performance of the notarial act complies with section 27, and the notary public does not violate section 31 in the performance of the notarial act.