Notarization has come a long way, from completely physical interaction to digital interaction. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses had to make their services and products available to customers without customers visiting their offices. The pandemic made the transition more seamless and a requirement due to the no physical contact condition.
So if you are not in the same location as your Notary, worry no more. For example, if you live in Pennsylvania and you are seeking the electronic notarization process, you can get authentic and legit documents notarized from the comfort of your home. Different states follow different notary rules.
What is remote online notarization?
Remote online notarization (RON) is the process of having your documents signed by a notary agent through virtual means like a webcam. This means that you will not meet the other party to complete the procedure. In this write-up, we look at the steps you and your Notary agent can take to complete the process online.
What kind of agreements does RON support?
- Power of attorneys
- Trust certifications
- Deeds
- Auto title transfer
- Spousal consents
- Total loss claims
- Affidavits
What does the process entail?
The process of digital notarization will involve you sending your documents electronically to a notary and getting them back signed. The following are the steps of the process:
Contacting a RON service provider
The first action you should take is to contact a Notary and request the remote online notarization. By doing so, you will learn the requirements and conditions of the process.
Uploading your documents
After speaking to your RON service provider, you will receive instructions on how to upload your documents. The Notary will tell what documents will be needed for the type of transaction you want to carry out.
Identity screening and verification
The most crucial step for a notary is to prove and ensure that you are who you claim to be. Using your personal information, the Notary will acquire your credit history and any other relevant information that the Notary will require. Your face must match the image on your identification card.
In this step, your Notary will require you to hold your identification card close to your face. This provides further proof of your identity. During the meeting, you will answer questions about yourself. The Notary will verify your answers through a special software.
Signing the documents
After verification, the service provider will sign the documents. The signatures are electronic, and your RON service provider will ensure the signature on your document is tamper-proof and legit. At this point, your RON service provider will sign your documents in real-time during the digital meeting.
Record of information on the Notary’s journal records
Regarding the legitimacy of your documents, your Notary will record the transaction between you and them. For that reason, your information and transaction will be recorded for future reference or proof and kept in the system for easy retrieval if necessary.
Return of the documents
Once the process is complete, you can access your notarized document with a tamper-proof digital signature.
The benefits of remote online notarization
Bearing in mind that remote online notarization is more accessible to many people than in-person notarization, the following are the benefits you can enjoy from RON:
It is convenient
RON offers convenience because you can access the services from the comfort of your home. For example, if you are unwell, have a disability, or cannot afford transport to go to the Notary’s office, RON will be the next best choice.
It is secure
The process employs security measures to ensure the signed document is legit. The tamper-proof digital signature and the audio-visual recording will serve as proof of the transaction.
It minimizes fraud
Ascertaining who you are is a big concept for your Notary, and the process uses security measures to verify your identity. In an in-person encounter, the measures might not be as extreme.
If you are considering getting your documents signed from the comfort of your home, ensure you meet the requirements of your state laws. Have all the requirements ready before you or your Notary can virtually sign your documents. Also, keep in mind that the notary public office will keep a copy of your audio-visual file as evidence of the interaction.