House Approves Remote Notary Bill
The House on Feb. 27 approved the Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic (SECURE) Notarization Act. The legislation would help small businesses and consumers, including those engaged in the home building sector, as notarizations are used extensively in real estate transactions.
The SECURE Act would establish nationwide standards and technical requirements for remote online notarization and allow a notary public commissioned under state law to remotely notarize electronic records and perform notarizations for remotely located individuals.
The bill would also require U.S. courts and states to recognize remote notarizations, including remote notarizations from notary publics commissioned in other states or U.S. territories, that occur in or affect interstate commerce.
Current law requires a signer to physically be in the presence of a notary. This requirement is often impractical, costly or even completely unworkable because of ongoing social distancing constraints in some communities resulting from COVID-19, as well as other barriers including military service or work travel that prevents face-to-face interactions.
The SECURE Act would establish nationwide standards and technical requirements for remote online notarization and allow a notary public commissioned under state law to remotely notarize electronic records and perform notarizations for remotely located individuals.
The bill would also require U.S. courts and states to recognize remote notarizations, including remote notarizations from notary publics commissioned in other states or U.S. territories, that occur in or affect interstate commerce.
Current law requires a signer to physically be in the presence of a notary. This requirement is often impractical, costly or even completely unworkable because of ongoing social distancing constraints in some communities resulting from COVID-19, as well as other barriers including military service or work travel that prevents face-to-face interactions.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics
Dec 15, 2025
Builder Sentiment Inches Higher but Ends the Year in Negative TerritoryBuilder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes rose one point to 39 in December, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. Sentiment levels were below the breakeven point of 50 every month in 2025 and ranged in the high 30s in the final quarter of the year.
Advocacy
Dec 12, 2025
Judge Determines FEMA’s Termination of BRIC Program UnlawfulA federal judge ruled that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program was unlawful and issued a permanent injunction restoring the program. This action is of note to the housing community because NAHB has been pushing Congress to pass the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act, which would allow jurisdictions to qualify for BRIC funds if they have adopted one of the latest two code cycles.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Dec 15, 2025
Builder Sentiment Inches Higher but Ends the Year in Negative TerritoryBuilder confidence inched higher to end the year but still remains well into negative territory as builders continue to grapple with rising construction costs, tariff and economic uncertainty, and many potential buyers remaining on the sidelines due to affordability concerns.
Economics
Dec 11, 2025
Homeownership Rate Inches Up to 65.3%The latest homeownership rate rose to 65.3% in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS).
Economics
Dec 10, 2025
No Risk-Free Path: Fed Eases Monetary PolicyThe central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut rates a third and final time in 2025, reducing the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a 3.5% to 3.75% range. This reduction will help reduce financing costs of builder and developer loans.