A notary public acts as an impartial and official representative of the state, overseeing the signing of important documents: a common process when buying a home or creating a will.
Until recently, laws required both the signer and the notary to be in the same place. With high-quality internet access now available for more people, the rules are changing. Now, a majority of U.S. states permit eNotarization to occur. In this process, the online notary public and the signer join a secure connection, providing the same level of validity as expected when visiting a notary in person.
The fees of an online notary public are similar to that of traditional, in-person fees. In some states, a remote notary can determine their own charges. In other states, there are limitations to keep the service widely accessible. Check with your state on pricing guidelines.
Many documents that require notarization contain private information, often of a significant financial nature. Digital security is therefore of paramount importance. Not all online notarization platforms will offer the same safety features.
DocVerify, part of Black Knight since being acquired in 2020, provides layers of security to keep documents safe and unalterable. For example, DocVerify adds timestamps and watermarks to all digital files, inhibiting the ability to tamper with their contents. Our platform also produces an electronic seal. Notaries need to have a digital certificate, which most states require to be a X509 certificate.
To learn more about how we encrypt documents for safety, take a look at our security page.
Each U.S. state determines its own electronic notary requirements, so these steps are general and may not apply to your exact location.
There are a few items that most states require online notaries to own. First and foremost, you’ll need to be licensed by the state and have an authorized account on a digital notary public platform such as DocVerify.
You will obtain an electronic journal through the online platform, which is an official and secure location to place the virtual records of each eNotarization. Make sure the vendor you choose has an electronic journal available, and that it will meet any state guidelines or directives. Most signings also require an electronic seal in place of the physical seal used by traditional notaries.
The following technology tools may also be required:
When witnessing an in-person signature, a notary uses an official state seal to mark the paper. Self-inking stamp versions are popular for their ease of use. It’s just as easy to use an electronic notary seal, which is virtual and never runs out of ink.
Any authenticated eNotary account with DocVerify comes with access to your own state-specific electronic seal. Learn more about obtaining an electronic notary seal here.
Errors and omissions (“E&O”) is a professional liability insurance used across many professions including notaries, doctors and lawyers. If a client were to file a lawsuit with claims of negligence or neglect of duty, this insurance offers protection by covering legal fees.
A person who operates as a notary public through their workplace may be covered by their employer’s insurance. A self-employed eNotary may need to obtain their own policy through an insurance company
Many notaries say they have not had to use their E&O insurance policies. However, without insurance, a lawsuit could cost thousands of dollars, so many see E&O as a small price to pay for peace of mind.
If you need further clarification about electronic notarization or the role of an eNotary, DocVerify is here to help. Our knowledgeable, responsive support team can provide any information about electronic notarization or becoming an eNotary. Contact us at support@docverify.com.