Maryland e-signature and notarization law

Maryland's electronic signature law: the Maryland Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (Md. Code, Com. Law §§ 21-101 to 21-120). Electronic signatures are also valid under the federal ESIGN Act for most transactions. Some documents are excluded, such as wills, divorce and adoption documents, court orders and certain official notices.

The fuller federal list is in our guide to e-signing in the United States.

What Maryland's e-signature law does not cover

Commercial Law § 21-102 lists what the Maryland Act leaves out. It does not apply to:

• The rules for creating and executing a will, a codicil or a testamentary trust.
• The Maryland Uniform Commercial Code, other than §§ 1-107 and 1-206 and Titles 2 and 2A.
• The Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act.
• A law or regulation governing notice of the cancellation or termination of utility services, including water, heat and power, and certain other notices.
• A law governing adoption, divorce or other family law matters.
• Court orders, notices or official court documents, except as provided in the Maryland Rules.
• Documents required to accompany transportation or handling of hazardous materials, pesticides or other toxic or dangerous materials.

Remote online notarization in Maryland

Remote online notarization: allowed in Maryland since October 1, 2020.

Under Maryland's State Government Article § 18-214, a notary public located in Maryland may perform a notarial act using communication technology for a remotely located individual, meaning someone not in the physical presence of the notary.

The step before a Maryland notary's initial remote act is a notification to the Secretary of State, rather than a separately named remote registration.

The Department of Legislative Services notes that Chapter 407 of 2019, which authorized this, took effect October 1, 2020.

SignAndGo doesn't notarize documents. A commissioned notary does that, using a remote notarization platform where the state allows it.

Where to read Maryland's law

• Electronic signatures: Md. Code, Com. Law §§ 21-101 to 21-120, exclusions at § 21-102.
• Remote notarization: Md. Code, State Gov't § 18-214, added by 2019 Md. Laws ch. 407 (SB 678).

Checked against Maryland's published law on November 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.