What Is Remote Online Notarization RON

Learn More to Understand What you Should Know About Remote Online Notarization

What is Remote Online Notarization?

A Six Step Guide to Remote Online Notarization (RON): What You Need to Know

Remote online notarization (RON) has been growing in popularity as a way to conduct business online. But what is Remote Online Notarization, exactly?

And what do you need to know before diving in?

This six step guide will answer all your questions and help you decide if Remote Online Notarization is right for you and your business at this time. So let's dive in!

05/01/2022
By Mark Wills - Course Instructor of Loan Signing System, Forbes Real Estate Council Member, and Best Selling Author

What is a Remote Online Notary and what is the difference between RON and an E-signing/E-closing?

Remote Online Notarization, or RON, is when a notary public performs a legal notarization remotely via the internet using a digital notary stamp (an e-seal) through an online video or audio call.

If you’re a loan signing agent reading this, it’s important to understand the difference between RON and an e-signing/e-closing.
An e-signing/e-closing (sometimes referred to as one or the other) means that a full set of loan documents can be signed over the internet (every single loan document).

This is an important distinction as RON refers ONLY to notarizations (such as a simple Jurat or Acknowledgement) that can be done online.

To put it simply, a state may allow notarizations to be done remotely (RON), however it does NOT mean that lenders (Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chase, etc.) allow their complete loan packages to be signed via the internet.

And because most lenders still prefer a wet signature when it comes to executing their loan documents in order to prevent fraud, e-signings/e-closings are still uncommon for loan signing agents.

In conclusion, RON and e-signings are two different things but both must be allowed in order for loan signings to move to a completely remote digital experience.

But!

If you’re thinking of performing general notary work online, read on for a six step by step guide on how you can become an online notary.

Here’s what you need to know in order to get started with RON:

Six Step Guide to Becoming a Remote Online Notary (RON)

#1: Check with your Secretary of State

When it comes to Remote Online Notarization, each state has different rules and regulations so be sure that you check with your Secretary of State before you start investing in becoming a remote online notary.

As of April 2022, there are 37 out of 50 states who have permanently adopted RON for standard notary service work, with the state of New York becoming one of the newest states to allow for RON beginning June 2022.

Keep in mind there are also some states who have allowed for Remote Online Notarization temporarily, but it’s important to check with your Secretary of State to confirm how long the use for RON will be allowed.

Here is the current list of all of the states:

How To Get Your Remote Online Notarization: Required Applications, Exams, and Training

State
Alabama	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Alabama
Alaska	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Alaska
Arizona	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Arizona
Arkansas	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Arkansas
California Prohibited	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in California
Colorado	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Colorado
Connecticut	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Connecticut
Delaware Temporary	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Delaware
District of Columbia Prohibited	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in District of Columbia
Florida	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Florida
Georgia Temporary	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Georgia
Hawaii	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Hawaii
Idaho	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Idaho
Illinois	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Illinois
Indiana	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Indiana
Iowa	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Iowa
Kansas	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Kansas
Kentucky	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Kentucky
Louisiana	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Louisiana
Maine Temporary	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Maine
Maryland	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Maryland
Massachusetts Temporary	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Massachusetts
Michigan	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Michigan
Minnesota	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Minnesota
Mississippi Temporary	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Mississippi
Missouri	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Missouri
Montana	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Montana
Nebraska	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Nebraska
Nevada	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Nevada
New Hampshire	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in New Hampshire
New Jersey	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in New Jersey
New Mexico	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in New Mexico
New York Effective June 2022	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in New York
North Carolina Temporary	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in North Carolina
North Dakota	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in North Dakota
Ohio	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Ohio
Oklahoma	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Oklahoma
Oregon	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Oregon
Pennslyvania	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Pennsylvania
Rhode Island Temporary	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Rhode Island
South Carolina No Guidance	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in South Carolina
South Dakota	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in South Dakota
Tennessee	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Tennessee
Texas	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Texas
Utah	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Utah
Vermont	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Vermont
Virginia	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Virginia
Washington	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Washington
West Virginia	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in West Virginia
Wisconsin	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Wisconsin
Wyoming	How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Wyoming

#2: Register for a Remote Online Notarization Approved Course

Once you have verified that RON is allowed in the state you reside, you will need to follow all requirements from your Secretary of State in order to start work as a remote online notary, which includes obtaining your notary commission if you haven’t already.

Sign up for a RON course approved through the Secretary of State and follow all application requirements to be able to perform notarizations remotely.

#3: Obtain a Digital Notary Stamp and Electronic Notary Certificate

If your state requires a digital notary stamp, or an electronic seal (or e-seal), you’ll need to obtain this from an approved vendor, as well as a digital journal and electronic notary certificate (if applicable).

Just like the traditional notary stamp, your digital version provides an official seal to attest that a person’s identity and signature have been verified.

#4: Obtain Surety Bond and Errors & Omissions Insurance Policy

In many states, it’s required to obtain a notary surety bond, which is a legal document that ensures the notary will be performing their duties properly and protects the public from financial harm.

You’ll also need an Errors & Omissions policy, which is insurance coverage that protects you from potential mistakes while notarizing.

Also, make sure that both the Errors and Omissions Insurance as well as the notary surety bond provide coverage for remote work.

And because each state may vary when it comes to coverage amount requirements, confirm with your Secretary of State on exactly what you need to perform RON in your state.

#5: Learn the Necessary Remote Online Notarization Technology

It is important to be comfortable with technology used in RON and have the appropriate tools in order to perform remote online notarizations.

This includes having a computer/laptop that has a wifi, webcam, microphone or headphones as well!

#6: Choose a Remote Online Notarization Platform

To complete the RON registration process, you will need to choose a RON platform approved by the Secretary of State in which you reside.

The RON platform is where your closing request, signature verification process and digital seal are all held in order to complete the digital notarization process.

It’s important to do your research as your Secretary of State may only allow certain types of platforms for digital notarizations and most allow you to register for only ONE platform.

Some of the most popular RON platforms are:

   ✅ Notarize
   ✅ DocVerify
   ✅ NotaryCam
✅ SigniX
   ✅ Pavaso
   ✅ Nexsys

And there you have it! If RON is approved to work in your state and you want to utilize a remote online notary in your business, remember that this can mostly be beneficial for general notarial services.

Be Prepared to Fill the Demand

If you’re interested in a more detailed training on Remote Online Notarization, sign up below to be informed when there is an upcoming Remote Online Notarization training!

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