The National Notary Association reported that Washington Governor issued a Proclamation regarding SB 5641, which authorized notarial acts to be performed for remotely located individuals. "The law was supposed to take effect on October 1, 2020, but the emergency Proclamation makes the new law effective temporarily from March 27, 2020, through midnight of April 26, 2020."

This authorization will aid help people in executing estate plans, powers of attorney, community property agreements, trusts, and other documents they may need during this time of uncertainty.

The bill directs the Department of Licensing to adopt rules to implement the bill, but the Department has not yet adopted rules for remote notarization.