Notarial act in the District

  1. Law
  2. District of Columbia Code
  3. Government Organization
  4. Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts
  5. Notarial act in the District

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*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on February 4, 2022. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation affecting this section, click this link: Permanent Version.*

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on October 22, 2021. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Permanent Version.*

(a) A notarial act may be performed in the District by:

(1) A notary public of the District;

(2) A judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of a court of the District; or

(3) Any other individual authorized to perform the specific act by the law of the District.

(b) The signature and title of an individual performing a notarial act in the District shall be prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine and that the individual holds the designated title.

(c) The signature and title of a notarial officer described in subsection (a)(1) or (2) of this section shall conclusively establish the authority of the officer to perform the notarial act.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of District law, during the period of time from March 11, 2020, until November 5, 2021, a notarial act shall be deemed to be performed in the District.

(Dec. 4, 2018, D.C. Law 22-189, § 10, 65 DCR 11606; June 24, 2021, D.C. Law 24-9, § 807(c), 68 DCR 004824; July 24, 2021, D.C. Act 24-125, § 3(dd)(2), 68 DCR 007342.)

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3(dd)(2) of Public Emergency Extension and Eviction and Utility Moratorium Phasing Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-125, July 24, 2021, 68 DCR 007342).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 807(c) of Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-96, June 7, 2021, 68 DCR 006025).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 807(c) of Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-30, Mar. 17, 2021, 68 DCR 003101).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 807(c) of Coronavirus Support Second Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-405, Aug. 19, 2020, 67 DCR 10235).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 807(c) of Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-328, June 8, 2020, 67 DCR 7598).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 807(c) of Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-326, May 27, 2020, 67 DCR 7045).

Temporary Legislation

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 807(c) of Coronavirus Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Law 24-9, June 24, 2021, 68 DCR 004824).

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 807(c) of Coronavirus Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Law 23-130, Oct. 9, 2020, 67 DCR 8622).


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