ME Administrative Rules (2023)
Rule/Regulation
Effective: October 02, 2023
Summary
The Maine Secretary of State has adopted permanent rules implementing the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, including electronic and remote notarization.
Affects
Replaces CMR 29-250-700.
Changes
- Adopts the temporary emergency rules governing Notaries Public, notarial officers, and the procedures for electronic and remote notarization that were adopted effective July 5, 2023.
- Clarifies that the rules for remote notarization do not apply to judges, justices, clerks, or deputy clerks of Maine courts performing remote notarization as part of their official court duties pursuant to statute, or rules or administrative orders adopted by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
- Clarifies that the rules for remote notarization do not apply to a court reporter administering an oath to a witness in a deposition conducted pursuant to the rules of procedure adopted by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court or the federal courts.
AnalysisThe Maine Secretary of State has adopted permanent rules to implement the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (House Paper 1503) enacted in 2022 and effective on July 1, 2023. The rules address the Notary commissioning and renewal process, complaints and administrative adjudication, process for notarial officers to notify the Secretary that they will be performing electronic or remote notarial acts, or both, procedures for performing these notarial acts, and rules for the approval of technology system providers of electronic and remote notarization. The rules also clarify the requirements for an official Notary Public stamp.
Read the adopted administrative rules.