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SCR 35

NOTARIES: Urges and requests the Louisiana State Law Institute to study the use of remote online notarization for executing certain authentic acts.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Franklin Foil

Louisiana would study and draft proposed changes to allow remote online notarization for authentic acts, with exclusions, and report back by March 1, 2027.

Signed by the Speaker of the House.
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Bill Summary · SCR 35

Summary: Senate Concurrent Resolution 35 (SCR 35) — Louisiana, 2026 Session

Purpose

  • Urge and request the Louisiana State Law Institute to study and draft proposed legislation amending the Remote Online Notarization Act (RON Act) and related laws to authorize remote online notarization (RON) for executing authentic acts as defined in Civil Code Article 1833, with certain exclusions.
  • The Institute would report findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature.

Key Provisions and Changes Proposed by the Resolution

  • Targeted authorization: Allow remote online notarization for executing authentic acts as defined in Civil Code Article 1833, excluding instruments prohibited by law (specifically those listed in R.S. 35:623(B)).
  • Scope of reform: Amend the Remote Online Notarization Act and related statutes as necessary to enable RON for authentic acts, while preserving limits on what may be notarized remotely.
  • Inclusion of stakeholders: The study group for the Institute should include representatives from:
    • Secretary of State
    • Louisiana Notary Association
    • Louisiana Bankers Association
    • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • Louisiana Association of Independent Land Title Agents
    • Louisiana Land Title Association
    • Louisiana Clerks of Court Association
    • Louisiana Public Tag Association
  • Reporting deadline: The Institute must submit its findings and proposed legislation to the Louisiana Legislature no later than March 1, 2027.

Affected Parties and Entities

  • Notaries: Potential expansion of authority to perform authentic acts via remote online notarization.
  • Parties to authentic acts: Individuals and entities relying on authentic acts for legal and financial transactions (e.g., real estate transfers, mortgages) could benefit from remote execution.
  • Rural communities: The measure seeks to address access issues in rural Louisiana by facilitating notarizations remotely where notaries are scarce.
  • Professional and trade associations: Various groups representing notaries, banks, title companies, attorneys, clerks, and tag agencies would participate in the study process.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Action by body: Resolution introduced and referred to the Judiciary A Committee for consideration.
  • Study mandate: The Louisiana State Law Institute is tasked with studying and formulating proposed legislation to modify the RON Act and related laws.
  • Reporting deadline: Final findings and proposed legislation due to the Legislature by March 1, 2027.

Context and Rationale (as indicated in the resolution)

  • The existing Remote Online Notarization Act (act adopted in 2020) governs who may perform RON, how identities are verified, and recordkeeping requirements, including:
    • Notaries must be regularly commissioned and authorized to perform RON.
    • Specific location, identity verification, and recording requirements (audio/video) for remote notarizations.
    • Retention of electronic copies and recordings for at least 10 years.
  • Advances in technology and evolving use of RON, especially in rural areas with notary shortages, prompt consideration of extending RON to authentic acts, which currently may be restricted.
  • Other jurisdictions permit remote execution of authentic acts, suggesting potential benefits for Louisiana in terms of commerce and access.

Bottom Line

SCR 35 does not itself change the law. It commissions a targeted study by the Louisiana State Law Institute to evaluate and draft proposed legislation to authorize remote online notarization for authentic acts (excluding instruments prohibited by law), with input from key industry stakeholders, and to report back by March 1, 2027.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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