Open forum: AARP-VI Urges Members and Public to Call Governor in Support of Notary Bill

AARP in The Virgin Islands

AARP in The Virgin Islands is working to pass Bill No. 34-0155, the Virgin Islands Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts.

Here in the U.S. Virgin Islands, notaries public are under the careful watch of the lieutenant governor, and a recent measure by the 34th Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands has now reached Gov. Albert Bryan’s desk and will ensure notaries are more accessible.

This is extremely important now that COVID-19 has put an elongated pause on personal interaction. And though the government is slowly lifting mask mandates and other restrictions, there is still a need for caution.

Bill No 34-0155 is essential because it helps AARP-VI’s 22,000 members who are not only advanced in age but who are retired, disabled or caregivers. It helps with the modernization of recordkeeping and allows the Virgin Islands to lead the United States’ other territories in researching, drafting and promoting the integrity of notarial governance.

AARP-VI is asking our Virgin Islanders to contact Bryan’s office at 774-0001 to encourage him to sign Bill No. 34-0155. He has until April 8, 2022, to address the bill by signing or vetoing it, or it passes automatically.

And while AARP-VI would be happy with the automatic passage of the bill, we would be gratified if the governor openly supported this measure because a win for AARP-VI is a win for its members who live in this great territory.

“AARP is particularly concerned that all citizens and caregivers have continuous access to transact business and execute legal documents during this pandemic and beyond. The law provides access to this basic but essential service,” said de Chabert-Schuster. “It is important that the Virgin Islands be on the cutting edge of this digital age and be the first territory to permanently adopt (the bill), thereby giving access to remote notarization.”

To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/vi or the Facebook page at Facebook.com/aarpvi or Facebook.com/aarviespanol for information in Spanish.