Remote online or electronic notarization is the process of working with a notary public to notarize important documents virtually instead of in person. When signing important documents, such as property deeds, wills, powers of attorney and more, a notary public serves as an impartial witness who has been licensed by the state government to perform certain functions. Notaries are authorized to administer oaths and to verify and certify the identities of persons executing documents. Different states require notarization for different types of documents.
Traditionally, if a document needed to be notarized, you needed to find a notary to witness your signature in person.
Remote online or electronic notarization
Remote online notarization enables a notary to meet with you online to verify your signature on an electronic document. States may use different terms or variations of this service, such as “remote online notarization,” “remote electronic notarization,” “electronic/remote notarization,” “e-notarization,” or others. Some states have allowed remote notarization on a temporary basis during the pandemic, but many others have instituted it on a permanent basis.
State laws vary, but in general, remote notarizations include
Allowing notaries to use audio or video communications to witness the signing of important documents.
Requiring notaries to verify the identity of the person signing the document.
Requiring notaries to record the audio or video communications between the notary and signer.
In order to prevent fraud
The notary may ask you to electronically submit a photo of your identification, such as a driver’s license, or show a picture of your identification during the recorded audio/video call.
Confirm you’re willing to sign the document and whether you understand the document or transaction
Finally, the notary would witness your electronic signature and use their own electronic signature and electronic seal to notarize the document.
States require the notary to keep the video recording and any other documentation, such as an entry in their notary journal, for a specific period of time, 7 years.
