Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that he will end New York State’s declared disaster emergency today in response to declining COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalization rates, as well as increased vaccination rates. The state disaster emergency has been in place since March 7, 2020.

In an executive order issued earlier this month, the governor had extended until July 5 the remaining suspension of laws issued under the emergency powers. The extension included the suspension and modification of laws that allow for the notarization of documents electronically.

It is not yet known what the full impact of the governor’s decision to expire the state disaster emergency will have on the validity of the suspension or modifications of laws that were expected to continue until July 5. As a result, it has been recommended that it should not presumed that documents electronically notarized under the procedures outlined in the governor’s executive orders are valid after today, June 24, 2021.

We will continue to provide updates as developments occur. Please contact my office by phone or email with any question you may have regarding this and for our guidance.