Four questions Notaries should ask when choosing a RON vendor If you want to start performing remote online notarizations (RON), you will likely need a RON vendor who will provide the tools for you to perform RONs and securely store your electronic records. But how do you choose the vendor that’s best for you? When selecting a RON vendor, be sure to ask these four important questions: 1. Does the RON vendor fully comply with all of my state’s laws? The first and most important question is if the vendor is fully compliant with your state’s RON laws. Some states, such as Wisconsin, have a set list of approved vendors, and Notaries may only select one from the approved list. Other states, such as Florida and Texas, allow Notaries to choose any RON technology provider as long as the vendor complies with all state rules and statutes. “It’s essential to know if the provider is compliant with state laws or officially approved,” said Pem Guerry, executive vice president of SIGNiX. When choosing a vendor, be sure to ask if the vendor provides secure storage and protected access to any RON records you are required by law to keep, such as audiovisual recordings of your notarization sessions or electronic journal records. If you find out a RON vendor isn’t approved by your state or doesn’t meet your statutory requirements, you’ll need to look elsewhere. 2. Does the RON vendor provide training and tech support for their system? A vendor may offer a great RON system, but it won’t be much help if you don’t know how to properly use it. When choosing a RON platform, ask if they offer training how to use their system and technical support if you encounter problems with the system when performing a RON. “My number one question when choosing my RON provider was if they provided phone support,” said Tracee Jordan, a remote online Notary in Houston, Texas. “I have a large clientele and I need to have access to tech support on demand when things are happening.” 3. Will the vendor provide you with a digital certificate or electronic seal for RONs, or will you need to purchase your own? Depending on your state’s requirements, you may need a digital certificate or electronic seal to perform RONs. When looking for a RON vendor, you should ask if the vendor provides Notaries with a digital certificate or eSeal, or if you will need to purchase your own. For example, Pat Kinsel, CEO of Notarize, said his company provides electronic seals for RONs that are fully compliant with each state’s RON laws. For digital certificates, Notarize prefers Notaries obtain their own digital certificate from an authorized provider to ensure full compliance with state rules. “Since some states require the digital certificate to be in the Notary’s possession, so we refer Notaries to a trusted issuing authority to purchase their digital certificates,” Kinsel said. 4. How much will it cost you to get set up with the vendor? Budget is an important part of any Notary’s business. When researching potential RON tech providers, be sure to ask how much it will cost to get set up with them so you can determine if the expense is affordable for your business. LOVE

REMOTE NOTARIZATION vs. TRADATIONAL NOTARIZATION The use of new technology tools for notarizations has caused confusion for many people, including Notaries. There is remote online notarization (RON), which is different from in-person electronic notarization (IPEN) or remote ink-signed notarizations (RIN). And all 3 are different from traditional, pen-and-paper notarizations. Here’s a step-by-step look at the differences between these notarization methods. Please note that this is a general description, and specific requirements in some states may vary. What does each type of notarization entail? A traditional notarization is the one most Notaries are familiar with. The signer and Notary meet physically face-to-face for the Notary to notarize a handwritten signature on a paper document. For in-person electronic notarization (IPEN), the Notary and signer still physically meet face-to-face. Instead of pen-and-paper signatures and documents, the Notary and signer use electronic signatures to sign and notarize an electronic document (often called an “electronic record” in state laws). For a remote online notarization (RON), the Notary and signer meet remotely from different locations using audio-visual communication technology, and the notarization is typically performed remotely using electronic signatures and records. During the COVID-19 emergency, some states authorized an alternative notarization process called Remote Ink-Signed Notarization (RIN) as an alternative to notarizing paper documents in person. Today, 7 states have permanent laws authorizing RIN notarizations. During a RIN, the signer signs a paper document while communicating live with the Notary online. The signer may be required to sign a declaration under penalty of perjury stating that the document they signed and send to the Notary is the same document and attach it to the document. The document is then sent to the Notary for notarization. Document formatting requirements for each type of notarization Each type of notarization (Traditional, IPEN, RON and RIN) has different document format requirements: Traditional notarization requires a physical paper document with an original written signature in ink. In-person electronic notarization requires an electronic record such as a PDF or Word file. The document is presented on a computer, laptop or mobile device. Remote online notarization typically requires an electronic record as with IPEN, although some states allow paper documents to be signed and notarized using RON. RIN requires a physical paper document with an original written signature but may also require an additional electronic copy of the document to be sent to the Notary. Identification of the signer Both traditional and in-person electronic notarization use the same methods for identifying signers. The signer must personally know or present satisfactory proof of identity to the Notary, typically an identification document such as a driver’s license or one or more credible witnesses who know the signer personally and can vouch for the signer’s identity, following the requirements of state Notary laws. Remote online notarization requires signers to be identified through a combination of at least 2 identity verification methods that are tailored for the remote environment. Examples include knowledge-based authentication (KBA) where the signer must answer questions correctly about their credit history and background; credential analysis, where the signer’s ID is checked using an automated process to confirm the ID is genuine; remote presentation, where the signer presents ID to the Notary on camera so the Notary can read the information, biometrics, or a public key certificate. For a RIN, the signer must be identified through a process approved by the state. Examples may include the Notary’s personal knowledge of the signer, remote presentation of an ID document to the Notary or the oath/affirmation of a credible witness participating in the RIN. Notary signatures and seal Most Notaries are familiar with the traditional notarization process in which the customer signs the paper document in pen and ink. The Notary then completes the certificate wording, signs the certificate with pen and ink and affixes their physical Notary seal. For an IPEN, the customer signs the electronic document with an electronic signature — by clicking a mouse or writing the signature on a signature pad. The Notary then signs the notarial certificate with an electronic signature and affixes an electronic seal. For remote notarizations on electronic documents, the customer signs the electronic document with an electronic signature. The Notary then signs the notarial certificate with an electronic signature and affixes their electronic seal. For RIN, after communicating with the Notary online, the signer then mails, or if allowed by state law, faxes or electronically transmits the paper document to the Notary. After the Notary receives the document, the Notary prints out and performs the notarial act on the paper document, and mails (or faxes or electronically transmits, if applicable) it back to the signer. Recording the journal entry Depending on state laws, for traditional and IPEN notarizations the Notary completes a record of the notarization in a bound, paper journal or in some states, an electronic journal. For remote notarizations, usually an electronic journal entry is required, and the notarization must be recorded using audiovisual technology. The Notary must securely store the recording, along with any other journal information required by state law. For a remote ink-signed notarization, the Notary should record a journal entry for the RIN, even if not required by law. The Notary should also make a recording of the entire RIN audiovisual conference, ​even if not required by law, create a backup of the recording, and securely store both. Some states may have additional recordkeeping requirements.

Answers To Urgent Questions Notaries Are Asking About Remote Online Notarization Updated 6-21-21. Many Notaries have contacted the NNA with urgent questions about performing remote online notarization. To help you, we’ve provided answers to some of these questions below. The NNA will continue to update this article as we receive new information and updates. What states allow Notaries to perform RON and are fully set up to perform remote notarizations? The following states have enacted and fully implemented permanent remote online notarization laws and/or rules: Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, Nevada, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. South Dakota has enacted RON laws, but South Dakota limits RON to notarizing paper documents only. As of June 2021, the following states have also enacted permanent notarization laws: Alaska, Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and West Virginia. But I’ve heard that other states are allowing Notaries to perform RON or other remote notarizations because of the coronavirus emergency? That is correct. Due to the stay-at-home orders issued in many states and the Centers of Disease Control social distancing guideline of keeping 6 feet apart from another person, additional states have issued temporary authorizations for Notaries to perform RONs, remote ink-signed notarization (RIN) or other remote communication options for notarizations. These authorizations are issued through a Governor’s executive order, emergency rules and official guidance. The states with temporary authorizations to perform RONs are Alabama, Connecticut, Delware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wyoming. Notaries in these states must follow any rules set by the governor or state commissioning officials for these emergency authorizations. Rules for each of these states (and states with different emergency guideline alternatives to in-person notarizations) can be found in our article on state Notary emergency COVID-19 measures or at the NNA's State Notary Law Updates database. Please note that you must follow any guidelines set by your state to perform RON.Services such as Skype or Facetime may not be used as a replacement for RON technology guidelines mandated by state emergency orders. (This is a rapidly developing story and we are in the process of updating the map below with the latest information. — The Editors) Do I have to register to perform RONs? It depends. States that have passed RON laws typically require a Notary either to register with the commissioning official (Florida, for example) or obtain a special commission (Texas, for example). To register or obtain a separate commission to perform RONs, a Notary must submit an application to the commissioning official. You may also be required to submit information about the technology you will use to perform RONs, such as any digital certificates you purchase or any RON platforms you use. More information is available here. In some states with temporary authorizations issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, no registration or separate commission is required. What technology will I need perform RONs? For states that have RON laws and rules, you will likely need to use a dedicated remote online notarization platform. A list of RON platform providers with links to their websites can be found in this article. For states that have set up emergency RON or alternate Notarization rules for the coronavirus crisis, follow the guidelines provided in your state’s emergency orders. Some of these states do not require Notaries to use a RON platform. How much does it cost to register for a RON platform? That depends on the individual provider. You will need to contact the RON providers you are interested in to request pricing information. Please keep in mind that due to the current COVID-19 emergency, the RON platform providers may not be onboarding new Notaries or there may be a delay in doing so. But one provider announced it is adding Notaries from certain states. Where can I perform RON? Can I travel outside my state to perform RON notarizations? You can only perform a RON while physically located in the state where you hold a commission. You may not perform a RON while you are located out of the state where you have been commissioned. Can I register to perform RON through the NNA? The NNA is not a remote notarization platform provider. However, we do offer digital certificates issued by IdenTrust and electronic seal images, which can be used with some RON platforms. Before purchasing, please check with the platform provider you'll be working with to verify that you may use the digital certificate offered by the NNA with their system. LOVE

CLASS STRUCTURE FOR LESSON 14 REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION (Lesson 14) H2H NOTARY LLC RON VIDEO 1 REMOTE NOTARIZATION: What you need to know. PERFORM A REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION REMOTE NOTARIZATION vs. TRADATIONAL NOTARIZATION STATE OF REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION 3 WAYS REMOTE ONLINE NOTARY BENEFITS NOTARIES Notaries in the 21st Century: How to navigate PREVENT FRAUD WITH REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION HOW TO IDENTIFY SIGNERS FOR RON QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN DOING RON

Remote Notarization: What you need to know The NNA has received many calls from Notaries asking about Remote Online Notarization. Please refer to this frequently updated article for guidance first before calling. If you live in a state that has authorized the practice and has rules in place then you may perform remote notarizations. If your state has not authorized RON — or has authorized it but has not put rules in place — then you are not authorized to perform remote notarizations. As more states pass laws authorizing remote online notarizations, the practice continues to raise questions among Notaries and signers alike. What is remote notarization? Where can it be performed? Who can request it? Can I perform it? What technology is needed? COVID-19 UPDATE: In response to the COVID-19 health emergency, a number of states issued emergency measures allowing Notaries to perform remote online notarizations during the crisis. However, most states have let these measures expire or have replaced them with permanent remote notarization laws. For more information and updates, see "States Take Emergency Action On Remote Notarization And Signers' ID." Here are answers to the most common questions. What is remote notarization? With remote notarization, a signer personally appears before the Notary at the time of the notarization using audio-visual technology over the internet instead of being physically present in the same room. Remote online notarization is also called webcam notarization, online notarization or virtual notarization. Is remote notarization the same as electronic notarization? Many people confuse electronic notarization with remote notarization, believing they are the same. They are not. Electronic notarization, or eNotarization, involves documents that are notarized in electronic form, and the Notary and document signer sign with an electronic signature. But all other elements of a traditional, paper notarization apply to electronic notarization, including the requirement for the signer to physically appear before the Notary. The confusion arises from the fact that remote notarizations typically involve digital documents that are signed and notarized electronically. However they go a step further in that the transaction is conducted online rather than in person. What states allow remote notarization? Currently, 43 states have passed remote notarization laws. Those states include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Will other states permit remote notarizations in the future? As other states enact new remote notarization laws, we will continue to update this FAQ. How do I prepare for remote notarization? If you live in a state that has authorized remote notarization, simply follow the requirements of that state. Select your state from the drop-down on this page to learn more about your state's remote Notary laws. What kind of technology will I need to perform remote notarizations? Each state that authorizes remote notarizations may establish its own technology standards and requirements. There are a number of technology companies that offer end-to-end remote notarization systems. They include DocVerify, eNotaryLog, Nexsys (this company primarily works with businesses), Notarize, NotaryCam, NotaryLive, OneNotary, OnlineNotary.us, Pavaso, Safedocs and SIGNiX. In practical terms, signing up with one or more of these companies will provide most online Notaries with the technology they need. You can find more information on your state's specific technology provider requirements and a list of approved providers (if any) on your state's Notary agency website. Other providers may not be listed but may be used if they meet your state's statutory requirements. Please note: Some states may not provide a list of approved vendors and the NNA does not endorse a specific provider. Will being a remote Notary increase my market value? If you are a mobile Notary, adding services to your business offerings may increase your value, but it depends on the market and customers you serve. How will clients know I am a remote Notary? Some remote notarization system companies market their services directly to the public, so you don't have to. A couple of the companies also have apps in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. A person who needs to have a document remotely notarized downloads the app, pays the fee and is connected to a remote Notary who can help them. In these cases, companies function like signing services. Customers come to them for a notarization, and they schedule a remote Notary through their system. Typically, when you sign up, they will ask you when you are available to perform remote notarizations. You'll be paid a portion of the maximum fee for the remote notarization that the company collects from the signer through the app. If you use a technology company that doesn't market directly to the public, you will need to market yourself to potential clients just like you do today for paper notarizations. Can I list that I perform remote notarizations on my SigningAgent.com profile? Yes. Every profile has an "Additional Information" section where you can put other qualifications and services. Go ahead and list it there.

How To Perform A Remote Online Notarization Updated 1-10-22. Many Notaries have asked how a remote online notarization (RON) actually works. Here's a step-by-step description of a typical process. (The following is a general description of a remote online notarization. Please note that RON procedures may vary depending on state laws, and not all states permit Notaries to perform remote online notarizations. For example, California does not permit its Notaries to perform RONs, and South Carolina does not address RON in its Notary laws. Also, some states have passed temporary remote notarization measures due to the COVID-19 emergency that differ significantly from the process described below.) The signer contacts the Notary or a RON service provider to request a remote online notarization. The signer's document is sent to the Notary so it can be signed and notarized. Typically, the document is uploaded in an electronic format such as PDF to the online technology platform used to perform the notarization. The signer's identity is screened according to the requirements of the Notary's commissioning state. This may include answering questions based on the signer's personal and credit history (KBA), verifying the signer's identification documents online (credential analysis), the Notary remotely viewing the signer's ID during the notarization, or other RON identification methods set by statute. During the remote online notarization, the Notary and the signer communicate online using audiovisual technology — for example, via webcam. The Notary and signer do not meet face to face. Once the signer's identity has been verified and all other requirements for the notarization have been completed, both the signer and the Notary must sign the document and the Notary's seal attached. For electronic documents, this requires electronic signatures and an electronic version of the Notary's seal. The Notary records any required information for the Notary's journal records. The Notary must typically also retain an audio and video recording of the notarization session. The remotely notarized document is returned to the signer. Below is a video summarizing how to perform a remote online notarization. Additional RON Information You can also see our NNA Knowledge Center Remote Online Notary resources for information on becoming a RON and performing remote online notarizations in various states. LOVE

The State Of Remote Online Notarization Updated 11-17-21. A few years ago, if you had asked if it were possible to notarize for a signer who was hundreds or thousands of miles away from you, you'd have been told you were crazy. But today, nearly two dozen states across the nation have authorized Notaries to perform notarizations remotely using audiovisual technology via the internet. This is called remote online notarization, also known as RON. RON makes substantive changes to the way notarizations are performed. Some Notaries worry that RON deviates too far from traditional safeguards. Others are excited about the prospect of notarizing for customers hundreds or even thousands of miles away without needing to leave home and counter that RON is actually more secure than paper notarizations. One of the challenges faced by Notaries and others in embracing remote online notarization is the fact that the laws authorizing it redefine many of the elements of traditional notarization, including what it means for a signer to personally appear before the Notary, how the signer is identified and how records of notarizations are made and kept. In this article, we'll compare how remote notarization differs from traditional pen-and-paper notarization, discuss the most urgent concerns Notaries have raised about RON, and look at new remote online notarization business models emerging for Notaries and Signing Agents. The Most Radical Change The most radical change is the requirement for the signer to personally appear before the Notary at the time of the notarization. Until recently that requirement meant that the signer had to be in the physical presence of the Notary so they could communicate directly, face to face with each other. With remote online notarization, states have broadened that definition. Now, that face-to-face contact can be satisfied online using audiovisual technology such as a webcam. The signer can be in another town, another state or even another country. Naturally, many questions have been raised about this change. If you aren't face-to-face with a signer, how can you verify their identity? What if there is a person holding a gun off-camera? How do you meet your journal-keeping requirements? "I really want to learn more about remote notarization, but I have concerns," said Donna Laird, a Notary in San Bernardino County, California, a state that has not authorized remote online notarizations but is considering it. Living in a mountain community, Laird says the idea of reaching customers without needing to drive long distances is very appealing. At the same time, she worries whether RON remote notarization has enough safeguards against fraud. Proponents assert that the means for identifying signers of RONs produces greater confidence of a person's identity than the means of identifying signers for a paper notarization and that with today's communication technologies, a Notary can make determinations of a signer's willingness and mental competence just as well as a Notary who is physically present with the signer. Identifying Signers So how does a remote Notary confirm a signer's identity without being able to hold and examine an ID? State RON laws have crafted rules for the identity-vetting task that are tailored for the online environment in which a RON takes place. The main ways a Notary verifies an identity online include: • Knowledge-based authentication, known as KBA • Credential Analysis • Remote Presentation (Viewing IDs via webcam) With knowledge-based authentication, the signer must correctly answer a set of computer-generated questions related to their life, credit and financial history. State rules and industry standards allow for the signer to take a second KBA with a subset of different questions if they fail the first one. If the signer cannot successfully pass the KBA, the Notary will not perform the notarization. One drawback to KBA is that it often cannot be used to verify the identities of minors and young adults because they lack sufficient credit histories to generate the KBA questions. KBA also cannot be used to identify foreign citizens who lack a Social Security number. With credential analysis, the RON technology solution is used to scan the signer's ID credential for the presence of identifiers and security elements to confirm that the ID is valid. KBA and credential analysis are typically incorporated into the technology used by the Notary. With remote presentation, the signer holds their ID to the camera and the Notary can check that the signer's appearance and other details match the information on the ID. Credential analysis and remote presentation compare and correspond to the Notary's handling the physical ID during a paper notarization today. Many existing RON laws require Notaries to use at least two of the methods mentioned above, but most require all three. These states typically also allow a Notary to identify a signer based on the Notary's personal knowledge or through the oath or affirmation of credible witness, just like for a paper notarization. As more states enact remote online notarization laws, they may have different requirements for identifying signers. South Dakota, for example, only permits its Notaries to use personal knowledge to verify a remote signer's identity. How A Remote Online Notarization Is Performed To start a remote notarization, both the signer and Notary must access a RON platform. In most cases, the document for a remote online notarization must be in an electronic format such as a PDF. The document is uploaded to the RON platform. The platform provides the audiovisual technology allowing the Notary and signer to see, hear and communicate with each other. Once the Notary verifies the signer's identity and the Notary is confident the signer is willing and mentally competent, the signer and Notary both sign the document electronically, and the Notary affixes an electronic seal. When finished, the notarized electronic document can be retrieved by the signer at any time. Remote Notarization Journal Entries In addition to keeping a journal of the remote online notarization, Notaries are also required to create an audiovisual recording of each remote notarization. Most RON platforms create both the electronic journal entry and the recording of the RON event. If a remote notarization is ever challenged in court, the electronic journal entry and recording provide evidence that the notarization took place as claimed. Depending on state law and the Notary's business model, Notaries may be permitted to store their audiovisual records through a RON service provider they choose to work with. Where Remote Online Notarizations Can Be Performed Remote online notarization is not permitted in all U.S. jurisdictions. Currently, 40 states have RON laws in effect or scheduled to take effect in the near future. Some states also enacted temporary emergency RON laws during the COVID-19 emergency. For signers, there are no restrictions on where they can be. A signer literally can be anywhere in the world and still get their document notarized remotely. A Notary, however, must be physically located in the state where they are commissioned. RON Providers Vs. Independent Services If you are in a state that permits remote online notarization and want to offer these services as part of your business, there are two main business models available. The first is signing on with a platform provider — such as NotaryCam or Notarize — that offers remote online notarization services to customers. The RON provider sets up the Notary with access to the company's platform, trains them how to use the platform and directs customers to the Notary. The second is building your own system. "The biggest advantages working for a provider is that they take care of all your technology, data privacy and customer service needs for remote online notarizations," said Dushunna Scott, a Notary from North Chesterfield, Virginia, who has performed remote online notarizations since 2016. In addition, the service provider also stores her audiovisual recordings. Typically, she is on-call for remote notarizations on Wednesday nights and weekends and works as a mobile Notary and Signing Agent during the rest of the week. Scott receives part of the fee for each remote notarization she performs with Notarize, who also pay her for her time spent on-call. Scott likes utilizing a RON provider because it's convenient having customers directed to her, and she gets to work from home. "But even though I work with Notarize, I still market myself as an individual Notary," she said. Remote online notarizations are just one component of her business. Melissa Johnson Eldridge of Mansfield, Texas, also started out doing remote notarizations through a company, but eventually wanted to strike out on her own. She purchased a web-based, remote online notarization platform from technology provider DocVerify and started her own company, Certified Texas Electronic Notary. Going independent was very different than using a RON provider that handles customer contact, initial identity screenings and sending the signer's documents to the Notary. Eldridge had to learn how to do all these things on her own. "I had to simulate a mock remote online notarization by sending a document to myself so I could figure out how to use it," she said. "While I had to learn and be responsible for more aspects of the process," she said. "I work when I choose to and have more flexibility. And I don't have to share the fee with anyone." Concerns About Remote Online Notarizations Notaries and others — especially those in states that have not adopted remote online notarizations — have raised many questions and concerns about the process. In a letter to a California State Assembly member opposing a remote online notarization bill, the ACLU cautioned that remote online notarization "… creates significantly greater data privacy issues than traditional notarization." Notary Matt Miller of San Francisco, California, who organized opposition to the same RON legislation in California, says his biggest concern is possible electronic privacy breaches of sensitive signer and Notary information. "How can a Notary be held to account for the exclusive control of their journal data if you have an online platform involved that then sends this data on to yet another third party? Also, what happens when one of these companies goes out of business?" Miller said. Rick Triola, founder and CEO of NotaryCam, said that his company takes numerous steps to ensure signer and Notary privacy. For example, NotaryCam and other RON platform providers do not retain any KBA answers provided by signers. NotaryCam also follows SOC 2 compliance standards for emergency backups, redundant systems and other protections for remote online notarization journal data, Triola said. DocVerify's platform uses encryption to protect stored data from RON recordings as well as other data associated with the notarization, and in most cases the platform exceeds the requirements of state RON laws, said Chief Technology Officer Darcy Mayer. Remote Online Notarization And Loan Document Signings Can remote online notarizations be used for loan document signings? Absolutely, said Triola. His company has completed many successful remote loan closings during the past 6 years. Initially, only Virginia Notaries could only perform remote notarizations. Many experts believed that Virginia Notaries would be able to handle the majority of remote notarizations throughout the country. It turned out, however, that consumers wanted to use remote Notaries from their own states. Major title underwriters also were reluctant to use out-of-state RON Notaries in those early days, Triola said. As more states start commissioning RON Notaries, that reluctance is dwindling. Today many lenders are adopting the process because of the convenience to their customers. NotaryCam requires Signing Agents they work with to be NNA certified and background screened, and Triola estimates that approximately 87 percent of U.S. recording offices can accept remotely notarized documents for recording. Looking To The Future RON is continuing to gain momentum. Nine new states have passed remote notarization laws that take effect in 2020. That has some Notaries worrying that remote notarization will replace traditional notarizations. Triola doesn't see that happening any time soon. "Remote online notarization is not trying to take traditional Notaries out of the equation. It simply gives Notaries a new market for their services where there wasn't one before," he said. Eldridge believes that as more Notaries learn about remote online notarization and understand it better, they will be more confident about using it. "Lack of knowledge puts fear in us," she said. "I think when other Notaries truly use it, they will see that it's even more secure than a traditional notarization."

3 ways remote online notarization benefits Notaries Many Notaries are cautious about remote online notarization (RON) because it’s strange and unfamiliar — but you may not know RON is bringing some surprising benefits to Notaries as well. We asked remote online Notaries how RON helped their business, and here are 3 examples: 1. RON helps Notaries work more efficiently and reduces expenses. One benefit is that RON eliminates many time-consuming and costly requirements for traditional mobile Notary and NSA assignments, such as travel time, fuel purchases, and having to print documents for loan signing assignments. Removing the need for Notaries to drive to appointments saves time and allows them to schedule more assignments per day, which in turn means more income, said Tracee Jordan, a remote online Notary in Houston, Texas. “I’m in the fourth largest city in the U.S. Being able to service more customers and being able to stay at home and earn more income is the biggest benefit for me,” Jordan said. “I can see more clients remotely in a day than I could in person.” 2. RON is more convenient for Notaries and customers because notarizations can be completed at home. Jordan said that RON is much more convenient for her and for customers, because all participants can now schedule and complete notarizations without needing to leave their homes. “(At one point) I’ve performed 105 notarizations in 3 ½ months, all of them RON,” Jordan said. “Some of my older customers were apprehensive about the technology at first, but they’ve told me that RON turned out to be a lot easier for them than they anticipated.” 3. RON reduces the risk of contracting COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were about catching the disease from in-person meetings — including notarizations. Because remote online notarizations allow signers and Notaries to communicate remotely without physical proximity, RON eliminates any risk of the virus spreading during a notarization appointment. Herb Guinup, a Notary in Tampa, Florida, said requests for his RON services increased dramatically after COVID-19 started. During the pandemic, RON enabled Guinup to perform urgently needed notarizations safely for signers with high-risk health issues. For example, he was contacted by signers in nursing homes who need insurance or Medicaid documents notarized. Bringing a Notary into the facility to physically notarize carried a risk of COVID-19 exposure, but thanks to RON, Guinup was able to notarize for these customers without any danger of spreading illness.

Notaries in the 21st Century: How to navigate the digital age In the past, Notaries were strictly old school — to succeed, all they needed to know was how to affix a seal, fill out a certificate and write an entry in a journal, using paper and ink. 2020 turned this traditional approach of the Notary upside-down. COVID-19 forced Notaries to rapidly adjust to a new paradigm of remote notarization and online communication — and Notaries rose to the challenge, learning how to use eSeals, electronic journals and remote online communication platforms to perform notarizations for signers who could not meet Notaries face-to-face due to COVID concerns. Notaries in 2021 have risen to new challenges and developed new technology skill sets in response to the ever-changing demands of their industry. To be successful, today's Notary must understand and adapt the traditional requirements for proper notarizations to new online communication and privacy technology and practice appropriate digital privacy standards. We spoke with Notaries who shared how they have successfully stayed focused on best practices while they adapted to new approaches for notarizing and recordkeeping, and about their experiences with new technology such as remote online notarization (RON). Sticking to the basics is still important COVID-19 has certainly made the traditional role of a Notary more challenging, and that isn't likely to change any time soon. For example, Notaries who take up remote notarizations have to adjust to relying on new high-tech methods to identify signers such as knowledge-based authentication (KBA), where an online signer confirms their identity by answering a set of personal questions. This required many Notaries to adjust their approach to notarizations. While he has handled several online notarizations, Harding Goodman, owner of TCSL Services in Conroe, Texas, says they can be tricky to master because the various remote notarization platforms work differently from each other. "Every platform adheres to state requirements, but the tools vary a lot," he says. "I wish there was a standardized process and toolset." However, there is one standard common to all remote notarizations, regardless of how they are performed: It's still essential to stick to sound ethics and best practices, whether a notarization is remote or in-person. "Nothing has really changed. We're the gatekeepers helping to protect against fraud," observes Sharnise Sears, a Notary of 13 years and owner of Cleveland Pro Enterprises in Cleveland, Ohio. Sears, who performs remote notarizations for customers, has experienced firsthand how Notary fundamentals can be put to the test. While communicating with a signer during a recent online notarization, Sears learned that the signer — who had claimed to be located in Ohio — was actually in a different state, but had falsely listed an Ohio address on the document. Sears only had one option. "He wasn't truthful, so I didn't move forward with the notarization," she says. Sears adds that her experience applying sound, essential Notary practices has helped her identify other situations when a signer was "trying to pull a fast one." No matter if it's a remote or a face-to-face notarization, Sears says she sticks to one of the most important fundamentals. "What's important for any Notary is that you have to feel comfortable asking questions," she says. For example, when performing remote notarizations, Sears always asks the signer "Is there anyone else in the room with you?" — even if the signer appears alone — to help her confirm there is no coercion taking place. Make sure any technology you use is secure — and that private information stays private Today, many states allow Notaries to keep records of their notarizations electronically on computers. In the case of RONs, some states allow Notaries to contract with a data depository —a third-party company that securely maintains electronic records — so the Notary doesn't have to personally store large amounts of electronic data. And many Notaries must share sensitive documents and messages with customers via email and other online communication channels. With a major data breach or ransomware attack occurring nearly every week, today's Notaries need to be vigilant in protecting their valuable client information. Not every state requires a Notary to keep a journal, but Notaries that do either because of state requirements or personal preference need to practice additional caution, particularly if they keep an electronic journal. As a New York State Notary, Michael Gilman is not required to keep a journal, but he does anyway and takes extra precautions to ensure his electronic journal cannot be hacked or illegally accessed. To complete his electronic journal entries, he collects the signer's information, scans it, and uploads it onto a computer that is both password-protected and not connected to the Internet. He does not take photographs of personal documents with a camera phone. His secure electronic journal provides clear records that he saw, personally identified, and proofed the signer's ID. "There's no question why I did what I did," he says. Likewise, Sears is extremely cautious with her electronic Notary records on a day-to-day basis. The computer she uses for her Notary business is only for her business. She regularly updates her passwords and periodically cleans the computer of unneeded documents. She also uses virus scan software to make sure the documents that are coming to her are clean. To protect his clients from hackers and malware, Brian Gaughan, owner of The Celtic Closers in Cleveland, Ohio, has a personal safety policy — if an email from a title company he hasn't heard from, he'll delete the message without opening it. For Notaries authorized to perform remote notarizations, the following steps will protect your commission and your clients, including: Practice 1: Make sure any remote notarization platform you use complies with your state's laws before you sign on to use them. Practice 2: During a RON, be alert if someone else is in the background. As with a face-to-face notarization, it could be possible that a signer is being coerced. But that may be difficult to determine since you won't be in the same space as the signer. Determine who is with the signer or if there are any telltale signs of coercion. And, as Sears wisely recommends, ask the signer questions throughout the process. Ask the signer to "pan" the room they are sitting in with the camera of the device they are using to connect with you. Practice 3: If you perform remote or other electronic notarizations, don't share the image or information about your electronic seal online. A savvy criminal could download it and use it for fraudulent purposes. Most state laws require a Notary who performs remote notarizations to ensure that their electronic seal is secure from the use by anyone else. With new technology, such as RON, Notaries also need to be patient with customers. Sears recounts that her first notarization took hours and hours to complete because the signers weren't computer savvy. She had to patiently walk them through the technological issues in order to successfully complete the notarization. Tools of the 21st-century trade Sticking to the fundamentals, staying up on evolving Notary technology and protecting clients' privacy. These are all necessary practices for a successful 21st-century Notary. But what tools does a modern Notary need to succeed in today's business environment? Goodman suggests that Notaries should have the following: A good printer (or two). Many Notaries and Signing Agents recommend looking for printers with dual tray capability, fast printing speed and quality, and multifunction capability so your printer can also serve as a scanner and fax machine. A reliable computer or laptop with enough storage (many modern computers start with 2 terabytes). A backup drive to regularly save your important files and prevent them from being accidentally lost or destroyed. Cloud backup (Cloud backup can provide a safety net if a Notary's personal devices are damaged or erased. However, a Notary must also consider if there is a risk that a cloud backup service could be compromised. Some paid cloud backup services offer stronger security and redundancy.). Top-of-the-line internet service, particularly if you plan to apply to perform remote notarizations in your state. Knowledge of how the main RON platforms operate. Knowledge is perhaps the most important for the 21st-century Notary, considering how quickly technology related to notarizations is evolving. Brian Gaughan, owner of The Celtic Closers in Cleveland, Ohio, said that he reinvests in himself each year, taking a Notary course from one of the several Notary training providers (including the NNA). "We have to adapt to the world we live in." For Wilfred Rivera, a Notary who works in Port Ritchie, Fla., today's advanced digital tools have made things "a lot easier." A Notary for 10 years, he says that he enjoys the face-to-face aspect of being a Notary, putting people at ease when they may feel like they're signing their lives away. "I like to meet people and deal with people," he says. And while he prefers the traditional way of doing things, paying bills at the bank, meeting signers in person, he acknowledges the overriding reality of today's digital times. "We have to adapt to the world we live in," he says. Goodman has adapted, but he's still a traditionalist at heart and makes a strong case for the old ways while embracing the new. "I guess I'm an old-timer. I really think in-person signings are critical for the industry," he says. "Sitting down, looking someone in the eyes, getting to know them better, get a real feel for the document you're notarizing, I think the old ways are still here and will stay with us a long time." As these Notaries show, the old and the new can coexist in harmony, despite the challenges new technology brings. LOVE

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CLASS STRUCTURE FOR LESSON 15 REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION PROVIDERS (Lesson 15) RON PLATFORMS VIDEO 1 RON PLATFORMS VIDEO 2 RON PLATFORM VIDEO 3 RON PLATFORMS VIDEO 4 RON PLATFORMS VIDEO 5 RON PORTFOLIO VIDEO H2H NOTARY LLC NEVADA ELECTRONIC PROIDERS LIST BLUE NOTARY CYBERIZE IT BILL GIMBEL INDUSTRY LEADER LOOK AT RON PLATFORM

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