Notary Services
What is remote online notary?
A remote notary is a legally commissioned notary public who is authorized to conduct notarizations over the internet via digital tools and a live audio video call. Remote online notarization allows individuals, banks, law firms and other businesses to connect with a notary over the internet. Authorized online notaries in Florida can now notarize electronic documents for clients located anywhere in the United States over a secure audio-video connection.
To perform a remote notarization
- The Notary and signer must be able to see and communicate with each other simultaneously.
- The signer must be identified through either personal knowledge; 2 types of third-party identity verification systems; or a credible identifying witness.
- The signer contacts the Notary or a RON service provider to request a remote online notarization.
- The signer’s document is sent to the Notary so it can be signed and notarized. Typically, the document is uploaded in an electronic format such as PDF to the online technology platform used to perform the notarization.
- The signer’s identity is screened according to the requirements of the Notary’s commissioning state. This may include answering questions based on the signer’s personal and credit history (KBA), verifying the signer’s identification documents online (credential analysis), the Notary remotely viewing the signer’s ID during the notarization, or other RON identification methods set by statute.
- During the remote online notarization, the Notary and the signer communicate online using audiovisual technology — for example, via webcam. The Notary and signer do not meet face to face.
- Once the signer’s identity has been verified and all other requirements for the notarization have been completed, both the signer and the Notary must sign the document and the Notary’s seal attached. For electronic documents, this requires electronic signatures and an electronic version of the Notary’s seal.
- The Notary records any required information for the Notary’s journal records. The Notary must typically also retain an audio and video recording of the notarization session.
- The remotely notarized document is returned to the signer.
Is remote notarization the same as electronic notarization?
Many believe they are the same, but they are not. While electronic notarizations involve documents signed and notarized in an electronic format, all other elements of a traditional notarization apply, including the signer physically appearing before the notary. With remote notarizations, the transaction is performed online through means of audio-video technology rather than in person.