BILL REQ. #:  H-0208.1 

Read first time 01/25/2005.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     AN ACT Relating to authentication of documents; and amending RCW 5.44.130 and 5.52.050.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 5.44.130 and Code 1881 s 434 are each amended to read as follows:
     A seal of court or public office, when required to any writ, process, or proceeding to authenticate a copy of any record or document, may be affixed by making an inked, printed, or embossed impression directly on the ((paper which)) document and shall be ((as)) considered valid ((as if made upon a wafer or on wax)).

Sec. 2   RCW 5.52.050 and Code 1881 s 2356 are each amended to read as follows:
     Except as ((hereinbefore)) otherwise provided in this chapter, any instrument in writing, duly certified, under his or her hand and official seal, by a notary public, commissioner of deeds, or clerk of a court of record, to be genuine, within the personal knowledge of such officer, may, together with such certificate, be sent by telegraph or other electronic transmission and the telegraphic or other electronic transmission copy thereof shall, prima facie, only have the same force, effect and validity, in all respects whatsoever as the original, and the burden of proof shall rest with the party denying the genuineness, or due execution of the original.