The Connecticut real estate industry may be able to keep operating in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, but getting documents notarized as part of sales has emerged as a challenging issue.

Gov. Ned Lamont specifically exempted the industry from his sweeping order Friday for many businesses to shut their physical doors in an effort to stop the coronavirus pandemic in its tracks, but concerns over the virus have left many statewide wary of in-person interactions.

Lamont issued a new executive order Monday evening that permits notaries public to verify documents electronically.

The order stipulates a series of conditions for electronic notarization, including:

• The person seeking the notarization must present evidence of their true identity during a video chat with the notary, and not merely send it separately.
• The video chat used must be recorded and the recording must be retained by the notary for at least 10 years.
• The person seeking the notarization must affirm that they are physically present in Connecticut.
• The person seeking the notarization must send a signed copy of the document to the notary on the same day it is executed.

Lamont issued the order under authorities granted by the coronavirus state of emergency.