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Remote Online Notarization v. Traditional Notarization v. Mobile Notaries
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If you have searched for a notary, chances are you have come across three types of notaries, Remote Online Notaries, traditional Notaries, and mobile Notaries. It can be difficult to know which one suits your needs. While each method achieves the end goal of having documents notarized, they utilize different ways to get there.
While both traditional and mobile notarizations involve the signer and notary meeting in person, Remote Online Notarization (RON) brings the parties together with audiovisual technology. While Virginia passed the first Remote Online Notarization law in 2011, many states are just now playing catch up with 41 states allowing RON. With this growing trend, Notarize Genie has brought the most inclusive Remote Online Notarization platform to make life easier for signers, notaries, and businesses needing notary services.
Before we get into the differences between Traditional, Mobile, and Remote Online Notarizations, it is important to understand what a notarization is and the Notary's role in it. Notarization is an identity-based, anti-fraud procedure performed by a notary public. A notary is a government-authorized individual who acts as a lawful witness of a signature, with their primary duty being to deter and avoid fraud.
Traditional and Mobile Notarizations
Traditional and mobile notarizations require the signer to meet face-to-face with the Notary, and the signer must bring the actual paper document to the Notary to sign in front of them. Once in front of a Notary, the Notary checks the signer's identification witnesses their signature, and affixes their signature and notarial stamp or seal to the signed document.
While a traditional notary works out of an office, the mobile Notary brings their services to the signer. Traditional notaries typically work in attorney's offices, banks, and government buildings. Working with an in-person notary requires the Notary to be available for a meeting at a time that works for the signer.
In addition to regular, pen-to-paper notarizations, in-person Notaries also offer electronic notarizations. Electronic notarizations simply use electronic signatures to sign and notarize an electronic document.
Once the Notaries finish the session, they are required to keep a journal documenting the notarization. These journals contain personal information and are kept in a bound journal, of which the Notary is responsible for the safekeeping.
With busy schedules and work, it can be difficult for a signer to find a time that works. One key advantage of remote online notarizations over traditional and mobile notaries is flexibility in the location and scheduling of appointments.
Remote Online Notarizations
While saving you the hassle of working notarizing documents into your schedule, RONs provide an efficient and safe alternative to traditional and mobile notarizations. Online notarizations utilize audiovisual technology to connect the signer and the Notary, who are in separate locations. On Notarize Genie, signers can schedule their appointment ahead of time or go to our website and use one of our on-demand notaries.
Verifying the Signer's Identity when using Remote Online Notarization In addition, online notarizations provide a more secure alternative to other methods of notarization. Unlike in-person notaries, a signer utilizing an online notary platform may undergo three different types of identity validation, including:
- 1. Dynamic knowledge-based authentication
- 2. Automated credential analysis of a government-issued ID
- 3. Remote presentation of a government-issued ID via audiovisual technology (a webcam)
While some states require all three methods, most states consider an identity validated if the Notary performs two of the three. The Notary may also verify the signer's identity through the Notary's personal knowledge of the signer's identity or the oath or affirmation of a credible witness.
Using a digital platform and collecting video recordings of the signing and notarization acts produce evidentiary confidence in the signer's identity and reduce the risk of fraud. Notarize Genie utilizes a third-party identity authenticator, IDology, to ensure there is no identity fraud.
Types of Documents for Remote Online Notarizations
When utilizing RON, the signers do not have to worry about sorting through paper copies, as Notarize Genie uses electronic documents. When using electronic documents, the signer can email the documents to the Notary or upload them in PDF format to the platform. The Notary pulls the document onto the screen during their session so the parties can review it together before applying the electronic signature.
Storage of Personal Data
Laws require notaries to keep a journal of all notarizations performed and in-person notaries keep a paper journal. However, Remote Online Notarization platforms, like Notarize Genie, store your personal information in a password-protected and encrypted file online. Only the Notary has access to your personal information, and only the law dictates who and how a third party has access to the Notary's journal.
Remote Online Notary Signature and Seal
Signers might wonder how the Notary will affix their signature and seal to the document. Fortunately, the law allows remote notaries to sign and place their seal on the document electronically. Once the signer electronically signs the document, the Notary will apply their signature and seal, making the document officially notarized.
Why Remote Online Notarization is Great for Signers and Businesses
With life being busy and the pandemic ushering in a new era of everything being done remotely, RON accommodates everyone's needs. Whether it's the signer unable to take time off work or a business not wanting to chase down customers for signatures, Notarize Genie is here to make everyone's life easier.
As a signer, making it to an office or finding time to meet with a mobile notary is hard. Remote Online Notarization allows you to get documents notarized online from home, at work, or on the go. Additionally, RON is helpful to those with difficulty traveling to access notaries, such as members of our military stationed overseas, people working abroad, child and elderly caregivers, and the sick and elderly.
As a business, Remote Online Notarization offers endless solutions for common issues. Whether you are a financial institution, a law firm, or a regular business with notary needs, getting clients to come to sign a document can be a headache. By offering Notarize Genie's services, we bring the document and Notary to your signer, saving you the hassle of setting up an appointment and losing time from your business hours.
For businesses with an in-house notary, Notarize Genie allows you to expand your notary business and add a perk for your customers. When given the option, clients will likely jump at the opportunity to sign the documents when and where it works best for them. Utilize Notarize Genie's platform and use your in-house Notary more efficiently!
Notarize Genie Has a Remote Online Notary Solution for Signers, Notaries, and Businesses
Are you looking for an easy way to sign your documents, or perhaps streamline your notary business? Remote Online Notarization offers efficiency and ease that traditional and mobile notaries cannot rival, and Notarize Genie has the most encompassing platform on the market.
With Notaries available 24/7, signers and businesses will always have someone available to notarize documents. Our users will benefit from live phone and email support for any issues that may arise during a notarization. To learn more about Notarize Genie or drop us a line, visit us at www.Notarizegenie.com.
