This bill amends provisions of the Notaries Public Reform Act.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's notary laws would see several updates under this bill, most notably a new requirement that any notary receiving a commission or renewed commission on or after May 6, 2026 keep a detailed journal — physical for in-person notarizations and electronic for remote ones — recording information like the date, type of notarial act, document description, and how the signer's identity was verified, with journals kept securely for 10 years before being destroyed. The bill also updates what counts as acceptable proof of identity, adding unexpired ID issued by federally recognized tribal governments and allowing identification through a "credible individual" who vouches for someone the notary doesn't personally know, while requiring an extra layer of identity verification for remote notarizations. It sets rules for when a notary's journal can be inspected — by the person who signed it, by law enforcement with a valid request, or by the Lieutenant Governor's office — and states that journals and remote notarization recordings are not public records subject to disclosure under Utah's open records law. Finally, the bill makes it a class B misdemeanor to forge, tamper with, or otherwise unlawfully interfere with a notary's journal, seal, signature, or related equipment, requires notaries to report such incidents or any loss/damage of these items to law enforcement and the Lieutenant Governor's office, and exempts notaries employed by attorneys, law firms, or title agencies from the journal-keeping requirement for work performed within that employment.
Current version: SB0139S02 (Substitute)
Introduction
Jan 20
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Feb 3
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 20
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 23
House Rules
Feb 23
House Committee
Feb 25
House Floor Vote
Mar 5
Governor Signed
Mar 17
IntroductionJan 20
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeFeb 3
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 20
Senate 3rd ReadingFeb 23
House RulesFeb 23
House CommitteeFeb 25
House Floor VoteMar 5
Governor SignedMar 17
This bill amends provisions of the Notaries Public Reform Act.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's notary laws would see several updates under this bill, most notably a new requirement that any notary receiving a commission or renewed commission on or after May 6, 2026 keep a detailed journal — physical for in-person notarizations and electronic for remote ones — recording information like the date, type of notarial act, document description, and how the signer's identity was verified, with journals kept securely for 10 years before being destroyed. The bill also updates what counts as acceptable proof of identity, adding unexpired ID issued by federally recognized tribal governments and allowing identification through a "credible individual" who vouches for someone the notary doesn't personally know, while requiring an extra layer of identity verification for remote notarizations. It sets rules for when a notary's journal can be inspected — by the person who signed it, by law enforcement with a valid request, or by the Lieutenant Governor's office — and states that journals and remote notarization recordings are not public records subject to disclosure under Utah's open records law. Finally, the bill makes it a class B misdemeanor to forge, tamper with, or otherwise unlawfully interfere with a notary's journal, seal, signature, or related equipment, requires notaries to report such incidents or any loss/damage of these items to law enforcement and the Lieutenant Governor's office, and exempts notaries employed by attorneys, law firms, or title agencies from the journal-keeping requirement for work performed within that employment.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
Senate/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Senate Secretary
Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
Senate Secretary
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Senate Secretary
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM