Your Cookies are Disabled! NationalNotary.org sets cookies on your computer to help improve performance and provide a more engaging user experience. By using this site, you accept the terms of our cookie policy. Learn more.

Menu
National Notary Association

Knowledge Center

NC House Bill 517

Legislation

State: North Carolina
Signed: July 07, 2026

Effective: July 07, 2026
Chapter: 2026-52

Summary

House Bill 517 extends the temporary emergency video notarization and witnessing provisions adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic until July 1, 2027, or when the Secretary of State approves the first remote electronic notarization platform.

Affects

Amends Sections 10B-25 and 10B-200 of the North Carolina General Statutes. 

Changes

  1. Extends the emergency remote notarial act and video witnessing provisions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic (GS 10B-25) to the earlier of (a) 12:01 a.m. July 1, 2027, or (b) the date the Secretary of State issues the first license to a platform in accordance with GS 10B-134.19.

  2. Provides that if the Secretary issues the first platform license prior to 12:01 a.m. July 1, 2027, the Secretary must file that date with the Codifier of Rules to be published in the North Carolina Register as the expiration date of the temporary emergency remote notarial act and video witnessing authorizations (GS 10B-25).  

Analysis

Platform licensing is the final step in implementing North Carolina's Remote Electronic Notarization Act (RENA) and subsequent administrative rules. Until the Secretary of State begins licensing platforms, Notaries cannot register to perform remote electronic notarization. With House Bill 517, therefore, the North Carolina General Assembly extends the temporary Emergency Video Notarization (EVN) authority first enacted in May 2020, which permits Notaries to take acknowledgments and administer oaths and affirmations for principals appearing by audio-video communication technology, together with companion provisions authorizing remote witnessing. 

Close