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National Notary Association

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TN Senate Bill 1051

Legislation

State: Tennessee
Signed: April 03, 2025

Effective: January 01, 2026
Chapter: 124

Summary

Senate Bill 1051 requires Tennessee Online Notaries to complete a course of instruction and pass an examination.

Affects

Amends Section 8-16-306 of the Tennessee Code Annotated.

Changes
  1. Requires applicants for an Online Notary Public commission to complete a course of instruction and pass an examination administered by a course provider.
  2. Requires an applicant for an Online Notary Public commission to certify that the applicant has reviewed, understands, and will comply with the applicable rules and requirements promulgated by the Secretary of State.
  3. Requires the mandatory course of instruction to include, at a minimum, notarial laws, technology procedures of online notarizations.
  4. Requires a course of instruction to be approved by the Secretary of State or the Secretary's authorized representative or designee.
Analysis

Tennessee makes a significant step forward in ensuring applicants for an Online Notary commission are prepared to perform online notarial acts and the public is protected from those who perform them by requiring Online Notary applicants to complete a course of instruction and pass an examination. The NNA is particularly pleased that the course must not just cover Online Notary laws and technology procedures, but ethical requirements as well. But matters such as the length and mode of delivery of the course, type and number of examination questions, and the examination passing score are unaddressed by the new law. Private course vendors will deliver the course and examination, which must be approved by the Secretary of State. The NNA expects more details on the course and exam to follow in the weeks ahead of the January 1, 2026, effective date of the new law.

Read Senate Bill 1051.

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