Connecticut’s Governor Lamont Revises Remote Notarization Executive Order to Suspend Witness Requirements
On March 30, 2020, Connecticut’s Governor, Ned Lamont, issued
Executive Order 7Q, repealing and replacing the provisions relative to remote notarization in his earlier
Executive Order 7K. This new Executive Order does not change the process for conducting a remote notarization, as defined in Executive Order 7K. However, the revised Order provides helpful clarity and guidance regarding the use of remote notarizations in real estate transactions.
Specifically, Executive Order 7Q suspends witness requirements for the execution of all documents, other than a Last Will and Testament.
In addition, Executive Order 7Q provides that documents remotely notarized in accordance with the requirements of the Order must be accepted for recording by Town Clerks.
Documents that are submitted for recording must be accompanied by a one-page certification confirming the use of remote notarization procedures to execute the document. CATIC’s
suggested form includes an optional numbered paragraph 6 to address the situation where the party who has taken the remote notarization receives the original signed Document, together with the electronically notarized copy, within thirty (30) days after the date of its execution, and repeats the notarization of the original signed Document as of the date of execution. This optional process, allowed by the Order, may be required by interested parties or by recording offices, depending upon their interpretation of the Order.
Should you have any questions about this Order, please contact a
CATIC Connecticut Underwriter. To read CATIC’s Agent Alert on Governor Lamont’s original remote notarization Executive Order, please
click here. We look forward to continuing to serve you and your clients throughout this crisis and beyond.
