Civil litigants in New York may file affidavits and other sworn documents without notarization beginning Jan. 1 under a bill signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Backers call it a measure that will expand access to justice.

Signing the bill into law lifts what co-sponsors, state Sen. Brad Holyman-Sigal, D-Manhattan, and Assemblymember Charles Lavine, D-Glen Cove, said was an “unduly burdensome” requirement that disproportionately impacts unrepresented litigants, and those that are poor and of color.