Relating to the execution of a waiver of citation by digitized signature in a suit for the dissolution of a marriage.
HB 809 removes a restriction that previously prevented parties from using digital signatures on divorce paperwork. It allows digitized signatures for waivers in divorce cases and aligns with electronic notarization rules for family law documents. This change applies to all divorce cases pending or filed after September 1, 2025. The bill modernizes how divorce-related documents are signed, updating Texas law to accept digital signatures in family court proceedings.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 5, 2025
Last action May 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
4 edits
·
May 2, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates the Texas Family and Government Codes to allow digitized signatures for waiving citation in divorce cases and for electronic notarization. The changes modernize legal procedures by permitting digital signatures instead of requiring physical signatures, making the process more accessible and efficient. The effective date remains September 1, 2025, applying to both pending and future divorce cases.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on divorce proceedings and electronic notarization, but now explicitly permits digitized signatures where previously only physical signatures were implied.
REQUIREMENT
Added explicit permission for parties to use digitized signatures when executing a waiver of citation in divorce suits
Updated Government Code to clarify that electronic signatures satisfy notarization requirements when properly associated with the document
TECHNICAL
Reformatted bill text from draft version to final engrossed version with proper legislative formatting
TIMELINE
Maintains September 1, 2025 effective date for the new electronic signature provisions
Floor votes · House May 1, 2025
How they voted
122–17
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 144
May 1, 2025
D
Democratic58
98% Yea
R
Republican86
75% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
27
Key actions
8
Committee
8
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recalled from subcommittee
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in subcommittee
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to s/c on Family & Fiduciary Relationships by Speaker
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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