New RON Laws in South Dakota
South Dakota has officially authorized fully remote online notarization (RON) services through Senate Bill 211, signed by Governor Kristi Noem on March 14, 2024, which improves signer identification, permits electronic documents, and will take effect on June 23, 2024, aligning the state with 44 others that allow RON and enabling the Secretary of State to establish related regulations.
If you’ve looked at a map of states with remote online notarization (RON) laws over the past four years, you may have noticed South Dakota standing out among its neighbors. Legislation passed in 2019 and modified in 2021 never fully digitized the state’s remote notarization process.
Thanks to legislation introduced and passed this year, South Dakota can now be officially added to the map, and notaries will soon be able to provide fully remote notarization services.
On March 14th, Governor Kristi Noem signed Senate Bill 211, which amended South Dakota’s notarization laws. The bill made necessary improvements to the signer identification process and authorized the use of electronic documents. These changes add South Dakota to the list of 44 other states that have authorized RON.
Senate Bill 211 will be effective on June 23, 2024. Like other states, South Dakota’s Secretary of State is permitted to establish new regulations and processes for notaries. For more information, refer to the state's notary services division.
Electronic documents offer significant advantages over paper alternatives and are a welcomed addition to the notarization process in South Dakota. When combined with enhanced remote identity proofing standards and new recording and retention requirements, SB 211 delivers a more robust process and safer experience for the people and notaries of South Dakota.