A. The secretary of state may adopt rules to implement the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts. Rules adopted regarding the performance of notarial acts with respect to electronic records may not require, or accord greater legal status or effect to, the implementation or application of a specific technology or technical specification. The rules may:
(1) prescribe the manner of performing notarial acts regarding tangible and electronic records;
(2) include provisions to ensure that any change to or tampering with a record bearing a certificate of a notarial act is self-evident;
(3) include provisions to ensure integrity in the creation, transmittal, storage or authentication of electronic records or signatures;
(4) prescribe the process of granting, renewing, conditioning, denying, suspending or revoking a notary public commission and assuring the trustworthiness of an individual holding a commission as notary public;
(5) include provisions to prevent fraud or mistake in the performance of notarial acts;
(6) establish the process for approving and accepting surety bonds and other forms of assurance pursuant to Subsection D of Section 20 [14-14A-20 NMSA 1978] of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts;
(7) provide for the administration of the examination pursuant to Subsection A of Section 21 [14-14A-21 NMSA 1978] of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts and the course of study pursuant to Subsection B of Section 21 of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts; and
(8) provide for the administration of continuing legal education for notarial officers authorized to practice law in this state in collaboration with the board of bar commissioners of the state of New Mexico and pursuant to rules adopted by the board of bar commissioners of the state of New Mexico.
B. In adopting, amending or repealing rules about notarial acts with respect to electronic records, the secretary of state shall consider, so far as is consistent with the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts:
(1) the most recent standards regarding electronic records promulgated by national bodies, such as the national association of secretaries of state;
(2) standards, practices and customs of other jurisdictions that substantially enact the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts; and
(3) the views of governmental officials and entities and other interested persons.
History: Laws 2021, ch. 21, § 26.
Effective dates. — Laws 2021, ch. 21, § 38 made Laws 2021, ch. 21, § 26 effective January 1, 2022.
Applicability. — Laws 2021, ch. 21, § 37 provided that the provisions of Laws 2021, ch. 21 apply to notarial acts performed in this state on and after January 1, 2022.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 14 - Records, Rules, Legal Notices, Oaths
Article 14A - Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts
Section 14-14A-1 - Short title. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-2 - Definitions. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-3 - Authority to perform notarial act. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-4 - Requirements for certain notarial acts. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-6 - Identification of individual. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-7 - Authority to refuse to perform notarial acts. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-8 - Signature if individual is unable to sign. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-9 - Notarial acts in this state. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-10 - Notarial act in another state. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-12 - Notarial act under federal authority. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-13 - Foreign notarial acts. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-14 - Certificate of notarial act. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-15 - Short-form certificates. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-16 - Official stamp. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-17 - Stamping device. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-18 - Journal. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-23 - Database of notaries public. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-24 - Prohibited acts. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-25 - Validity of notarial acts. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-26 - Rules. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-27 - Notary public commission in effect. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-28 - Fees. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-29 - Inspection of public records act compliance. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-30 - Saving clause. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
Section 14-14A-31 - Uniformity of application and construction. (Effective January 1, 2022.)