A new version of a bill that was introduced in 2023 is here. The SECURE Notarization Act of 2025 has been introduced to the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the House of Representatives.
Oregon Republican Representative Cliff Bentz is the originator of the bill, which is now called H.R. 1777.
What the SECURE Notarization Act Does
We are going to go through the basics. Please understand we are not lawyers, so take our review with a pinch of salt.
The SECURE Notarization Act of 2025 aims to install standards for interstate commerce, notarizations done beyond state lines. It will install minimum standards states must follow when dealing with situations when the notary assigned is not from the state of signing.
Basically, any signing affecting interstate commerce falls under the purview, and other things like judicial proceedings. The bill does not specify every situation, although it does go into detail on many as you dig through the bill.
Both states and federal institutions will have to acknowledge and follow the new rules (if the bill navigates all of the steps and gets passed).

Whose Rules to Follow
Signings still must be done under the laws of the state of the notarys’ licensed state. State courts must follow this. Notarys’ must also follow the minimum directives set forth in the bill.
While this makes courts follow the laws put forth in other states, but makes it easier on notaries, as they only need to follow the laws of the state they are licensed in, as well as the minimum requirements set forth in the bill.
If the Notary is in the Wrong
The SECURE Notarization Act of 2025 puts forth rules regarding the sanctioning and false advertising of notaries. Of note, is that the rules set forth are many of the same as the recent bill we wrote about concerning Florida notary law on Notarios.
States are still in charge of sanctioning notaries, including suspensions and rejections.
Nothing in this Act may be construed to prevent a State, or a notarial regulatory official of a State, from— establishing requirements and qualifications for, or denying, refusing to renew, revoking, suspending, or imposing a condition on, a commission or appointment as a notary public;
False advertising under the SECURE Notarization Act is mainly focused on notaries that are not licensed lawyers in their state.
An emphasis in placed on notarios. Notaries would no longer be allowed to call themselves a notario or notario publico.
Unless specific rules are in place for the notary, they would no longer be able to say they give immigration advice or advice on how to become a United States citizen.
Our Thoughts on the SECURE Notarization Act of 2025
The SECURE Notarization Act of 2025 would be a step forward in uniting rules between states, and potential freeing up notaries for more work. While the current version is still vague, these bills tend to mature as they go through the process.
The process?
It is important to remember this bill has only been recently introduced to the House of Representatives and sent to committee.
There is a long way before it can become law.
The House would have to vote yes on it, it would have to be sent to the Senate who will draft their own bill, which is then negotiated with the House bill. The Senate would then have to vote yes and it would be passed to the president.
The SECURE Notarization Act of 2025 would take some good steps into establishing signings between states. This would simplify the process, even though some laws between states vary.
We’ll find out if it gains any traction in the House and Senate.