Information updated as at 13th July 2022.
Notaries Public are searching for ways to accelerate their Notary business, and amidst COVID-19 pandemic, Remote Online Notarization (RON) looks like the way forward. Some states have approved RON, while others are in the process of approving.
But how do you get to the point of notarizing client documents remotely and online?
Since the release of the Secured Signing Notary system, we have had Notaries Public come to us with that question. After many phone calls, digestion of online articles, and long email trails, we have created a guide that you, as a Notary Public, can follow to become a Remote Online Notary.
Step 1: Are you a Notary Public?
First, you must be a qualified Notary Public with a current commission ID. If you are not, it can take up to 4 weeks to become qualified notary public.
Step 2: Has your state approved RON? (If required)
Before progressing any further, it is important to check if your state has approved RON for the remote online notarization of documents.
Step 3: Get your Remote Online Notarization certification.
The next step is to become RON certified. Many states require the Notary Public to pass an exam to before they can notarize documents online through RON. This exam can include information based on the technology used and the procedures undertaken to successful notarize a document online. So before sitting the exam, it is important that you know the ins and outs of RON, from client authentication to what is required for a successful online notarization session.
Step 4: Purchase an electronic notary seal.
An electronic notary seal (or eSeal) is used in place of your physical notary seal to stamp and seal notarized documents. This eSeal is mandatory when notarizing documents online. Secured Signing partners with the National Notary Association, who can provide eSeal’s for Notaries Public. Also, they have an abundant wealth of knowledge when it comes to Remote Online Notarization, or notarizing documents in general. We recommend checking out their website for more information.
Step 5: Purchase a Federal Bridge digital certificate
In some states, it is a requirement for the notary to have a Federal Bridge digital certificate. This certificate allows governments to verify and trust documents that you have digitally signed and notarized and acts as your digital identity. Secured Signing partners with IdenTrust, who is cross certified with the U.S. Federal Bridge Certification Authority (FBCA) and can provide you with the right certificate to meet your requirements.
Step 6: Select a RON vendor.
When selecting a RON vendor, it is important that the platform or software provider enables you to perform remote online notarizations with the correct technology. The vendor must comply with the State’s legislation. In most cases, the vendor must offer:
- Identity proofing and credential analysis methods.
- Audio-visual conferencing technology.
- Digital signature certificate compatibility.
- Electronic notary seal compatibility.
- An electronic notary journal.
In some cases, your vendor will also need to be approved by your Secretary of State. When investigating options, and doing your research, make sure you check with your vendor to see if they are an approved vendor.
As at 13th of July 2022, Secured Signing is approved in the following states:
| Alabama, AL | Kentucky, KY | Oklahoma, OK |
| Alaska, AK | Maryland, MD | Pennsylvania, PA |
| Arizona, AZ | Michigan, MI | South Carolina, SC |
| Arkansas, AR | Minnesota, MN | Tennessee, TN |
| Colorado, CO | Mississippi, MS | Texas, TX |
| Florida, FL | Missouri, MO | Utah, UT |
| Georgia, GA | Montana, MT | Virginia, VA |
| Hawaii, HI | New Jersey, NJ | Washington, WA |
| Idaho,ID | New York, NY | West Virginia, WV |
| Illinois, IL | North Dakota, ND | Wisconsin, WI |
| Kansas, KS | Ohio, OH | Wyoming, WY |
Step 7: You are now RON-ready
Once you have completed all these steps, you will be RON-ready and able to notarize documents online.
Secured Signing offers an all-in-one remote online notarization platform, complete with everything you need to notarize documents, securely, online. If you have any questions about how Secured Signing’s Notary platform can work for you and your Notary business, email us on helpdesk@securedsigning.com and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as they can.
PLEASE NOTE:
Your state’s processes and requirements to become a Remote Online Notary may vary. Consult with your Secretary of State if you are unsure on the requirements or processes needed to become a Remote Online Notary.