The current surge in the use of technology in the business space has led to the elimination of paperwork documentation. Businesses are increasingly adopting paperless business environments using remote e-notarization. The e-notarization has helped several companies maximize the benefits of going green. With RON services, businesses can get their documents signed through video conferencing.
What is Remote e-Notarization (RON)?
RON is a procedure of acquiring state-licensed notary public notarizing a document remotely using an electronic notarial journal, audio-visual, identity verification, and electronic signature. Business owners can also use record-keeping technologies to acquire RON. The convenience of RON is significant for those who visit a notary public to sign a document. Better still, there are several other benefits of using RON. The benefits include but are not limited to;
- Reduced risk of identity fraud
- Enforceability and security
- Increased access to notarial services
General Criteria For Performing RON
With the increasing growth in digital space, there’s a dramatic increase in the number of states authorizing the use of online notaries. While different states use different criteria, the following legislations are common.
- Registration of the notary with the state
- Entrance to common data privacy principles
- Use of audio-visual communication technology
- Application of electronic seals and electronic signatures
- Use of credential analysis technology to validate the government-issued ID
- Depending on digital audio trail creation, storage, electronic journaling, and recordings.
Benefits Of Using An Online Notary
Online notary offers numerous benefits over in-person notarization, including;
- Increased access and excellent convenience to many users. It solves the inconvenience of gathering in a single location to offer notarial services. Also, it opens up opportunities and removes the barrier to accommodating people living in remote areas, who have non-traditional work arrangements, and those with inadequate transportation services. Additionally, online notary allows those with health issues to offer their notarial services from their homes.
- Reduces Fraud. Notarization ensures that the person signing a document is who they say they are. Online notary goes a step ahead to use identity confirmation techniques, including;
- Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) is where the signer answers several questions from their personal level before they can sign the document. The answers signers provide are verified by a third-party database before the signer is allowed to join the audio-visual session.
- Identity verification where the signers must present the government-issued ID on the camera. An online notary scans the ID to verify the cryptographic and physical security features.
- Online notary enhances enforceability and security by using a few classical security features to authenticate the signed document. For example, it uses a tamper-evident seal, automatically generated to verify if the document was changed. Also, online notary employs robust audit trail where audio-visual recordings and electronic journals are the evidence of the notarial act.
Is RON Technologically Secure and Legal?
The online notary is gaining exponential transactions as a secure and convenient way to notarize agreements and documents. However, laws governing online rotary vary with state. Thus, it’s prudent to familiarize yourself with the nuances of this burgeoning procedure and consult with a local and relevant attorney when necessary.
