Remote Online Notary

E-Notaries

There are two main categories of e-notaries.  An electronic notary can sign documents in-person in the same room as the client electronically and a Remote Online Notary can sign documents over the internet with clients in remote locations.

 

In states that have approved e-notary services, most require that these commissioned notaries meet additional requirements to become remote online notaries.  Notary Express will help you navigate the notary application, remote notary registration and coverage for your state’s bond and insurance requirements. Remote online notarization carries more risk, so protect yourself with additional error and omissions insurance.

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Steps To Become A Remote Online Notary

Each state has specific requirements for new and current notaries to become a Remote Online Notary.  Below are the general steps to become a remote online notary.  Please check your specific state requirements for additional information.

 

  1. Meet your states requirements for Traditional and Remote Notaries
  2. Complete your states remote online notary registration
  3. Pay any additional state fees for remote notary registration (if applicable)
  4. Get additional bond coverage and E&O insurance from Notary Express (as required by your state)
  5. Complete any additional remote notary education and training (if applicable) 
  6.  Register with a state approved remote online notary technology provider

How Remote Online Notary Works

Remote online notarization uses an electronic signature process and the client appears before the notary using an online audio-video technology platform.  Typically there are 4 steps in the remote notarization process that include:  Uploading the document to be notarized, verifying the clients identity, connecting to an audio-video call and downloading the final remotely notarized document.

State Requirements

Remote online notarization is not permitted in all U.S. jurisdictions.  Click on your state below to view information and requirements for remote online notaries.  Notary Express offers additional notary bond coverage and E&O insurance to meet state requirements and protect you from the additional risk associated with remote notarization. 

Please see IL State Legislation on Remote Notarization and guidance.

 

  • Electronic notary bond is $25,000 or one bond for $30,000 that includes both traditional and electronic notary
  • Electronic notaries must keep video recording in addition to journal record for each e-notarization for a period of no less than 7 years, regardless of whether the act was actually completed
  • New statue separates Remote Notarial Acts as Remote Ink Notarizations and Electronic Notarial Acts as Remote Online Notarizations
    o Remote notarial act – can be done by audio-video communication but requires the notary uses their physical stamp to notarize the document, not an electronic seal or signature
    o Requires an additional $25,000 bond in addition to their traditional $5,000 notary bond

Requirements: See Indiana state resource

Remote Online Notarization effective 3/30/19.

 

Requirements:

 

To become eligible to conduct electronic or remote notarization’s there are three essential steps that must be met:

 

  1. Complete the process to become commissioned as a notary public in Michigan; if you are not currently commissioned as a Michigan notary public.
  2. Select and purchase an electronic notarization system/platform from the Secretary of State’s Approved E-Notary and Remote Notary Public Vendors list. A vendor must be on the list to be used in Michigan.  Note: You must work with the vendor to purchase the system/platform. 
  3. Provide our office with the name, contact information and system/platform once purchased:

            -Request for Duplicate/Notice of Change (if currently a notary public) or

 

            -Notary Application and Instructions (if new or renewing applicant)

 

Once the Secretary of State has been notified of a commissioned notary public’s approved vendor system/platform choice(s), it is acceptable to perform the notarial acts electronically or remotely as appropriate.

 

This means that before performing the first electronic or remote notarial act the information must be on file with our office. The Michigan Department of State provides training on the requirements and duties of a notary public but cannot provide any assistance with choosing or using a vendor that supplies electronic or remote notary system or platform. 

Pending State Legislation on Remote Notarization

 

See: Missouri SOS

Remote Online Notarization effective 7/1/18.

 

Requirements:

 

  • An eligible individual must apply electronically to the Texas Secretary of State through the online electronic commissioning system
  • The online electronic commissioning system is available on the Secretary of State’s website. The commissioning system will take the individual through a number of screens that will require the notary to provide certain information, certify to certain statements, and submit an electronically signed statement of officer.
  • There must be no good cause for the Secretary of State to reject the application for appointment.
  • Pay a $50 application fee to Texas SOS.

 

Texas SOS Brochure 

Remote Online Notarization effective 5/1/20.

 

Requirements:

 

  • Obtain training on the standards for remote online notarization through an approved technology provider and  use their software platforms to perform the remote online notarial acts. 
  • Contact a state approved technology vendor.  DocVerify is offering online training opportunities for Wisconsin notaries.
  • The technology provider will contact the WI SOS once you’ve completed training and are ready to begin performing remote online notarization’s using their platform.
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Technology Requirements

Each state has established its own technology standards and requirements. There are a number of technology companies that offer end-to-end remote notarization platforms.  Check your state requirements before choosing a vendor.  

 

Technology vendors include:

 

  • DocVerify
  • Notarize
  • NotaryCam
  • Pavaso
  • Safedocs
  • SIGNiX
  • Onespan

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