COVID-19 Update: New York Permits "Virtual" Notarization Due To Coronavirus

On March 19, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order permitting documents to be notarized utilizing audio-video technology through April 18, 2020.  Pursuant to the executive order, any notarial act required under New York State law is authorized to be performed remotely pursuant to the following guidelines:

• The signatory must present valid photo ID to the notary during the videoconference (if the person is not personally known to the notary).
• The videoconference must allow for direct interaction (i.e. no prerecorded videos).
• The signatory must affirmatively represent that he or she is physically in New York.
• The signatory must transmit by fax or electronic means a copy of the signed document to the notary on the same date it was signed.