What is a Remote Online Notarization?
A remote online notary is a Traditional Notary Public who has been commissioned and authorized to perform notarizations via an internet audio-video connection. Just like Notaries that perform in-person, on paper notarizations, remote Notaries are held to the same standard of impartiality when it comes to witnessing the signing of digital documents.
A remote online notarization (RON) is the act of performing a notarization remotely using two-way audio-video technology. It is the online equivalent of an in-person, paper-based notarization where every part of the process is done via the Internet.
How Remote Notarizations Work
Below are the steps on how to perform a remote notarization:
- The signer personally appears before a remote Notary in real time using audio-video technology.
- The Notary verifies the signer's identity using traditional identity-proofing methods with the addition of two steps unique to remote online notarizations: knowledge-based authentication (KBA) and credential analysis.
- Once the remote Notary verifies the signer's identity, they complete the notarization with the attachment of an electronic Notary seal and a digital certificate.
- The Notary collects payment and records the notarial act in their digital journal.
Remote online notarization is currently allowed in 47 states and the District of Columbia.