IA Proclamations (2020)

Executive Order

State: Iowa
Signed: March 23, 2020

Effective: March 23, 2020

Summary

Iowa Governor Reynolds issues a temporary order allowing remote online notarizations (RON) to be performed immediately.

Affects

Implements Iowa Code Section 9B.6 and 9B.14A.

Changes

Temporarily suspends the personal appearance requirement of Iowa Code 9B.6 but only to the extend that the notarial act complies with the requirements of new section 9B.14A and any other additional guidance provided by the Iowa Secretary of State regarding approved communication technology.

Analysis

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Iowa's Governor issues the second state order allowing the normal rules of in-person personal appearance to be waived and remote online notarizations to be performed. Essentially, the order bumps up the effective date of Chapter 44 of the 2019 Iowa Acts that enacted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts provisions regarding notarization of records for remotely located individuals. It is important to note that the order, while effective on March 22, is effective only temporarily. Its expiration date is linked to the Governor's prior public health disaster emergency proclamations made on March 17 and 19, which are set to expire on April 16, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., unless sooner terminated or extended by the Governor.

Read the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency.

In a proclamation issued on April 2, 2020, the Governor extended the effective date through April 30, 2020.

In a proclamation (Part 3, Section 135) issued on April 27, 2020, the Governor extended the effective date through May 27, 2020.

In a proclamation issued on May 26, 2020, the Governor extended the effective date through June 25, 2020.

In a proclamation (Section 125) issued on June 25, 2020, the Governor extended the effective date until July 1, 2020, the effective date of Senate Bill 475 (Iowa Acts Chapter 44).