Tennessee Senate Bill SB1051

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/25
• Engrossed: 3/10/25
• Enrolled: 3/25/25
• Passed: 4/3/25
• Chaptered: 4/8/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 16, Part 3, relative to online notaries public.

Summary

SB1051 amends Tennessee’s laws governing online notaries public by adding a new training and testing requirement for applicants seeking authorization to perform online notarizations. Under the bill, an applicant must complete a course of instruction on online notarization and pass an examination administered by the course provider before qualifying for online notary status. The bill also updates the applicant certification language to require a statement that the applicant has reviewed, understands, and will comply with the statutory requirements and any rules issued by the Secretary of State. In addition, it directs that the required course cover notarial laws, the technology procedures used in online notarizations, and the ethical duties of online notaries, and it must be approved by the Secretary of State or the Secretary’s designee. The act takes effect January 1, 2026.

Impact

This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 16, Part 3, by tightening the qualification process for online notaries public and giving the Secretary of State a clearer role in approving training programs. It affects notary applicants, course providers, and the Secretary of State’s office by establishing minimum curriculum standards and an exam requirement for online notarization authorization.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have broad support and little opposition. It passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously 9-0 and later passed the floor motion to adopt unanimously 30-0, suggesting general agreement that additional training and oversight for online notaries is appropriate.

Contention

No major points of contention are reflected in the available record. The only implied policy issue is whether online notaries should face more formal training and testing requirements, but the unanimous committee and floor votes indicate that lawmakers largely agreed on the need for standardized instruction, technology competence, and ethical safeguards.