By law, a notary must witness the signing of a document in order to notarize it. Traditionally, this meant that the notary and the signer had to meet in person. However, this outdated method is quickly being replaced by a new service known as online remote notarization.
A remote notary is a notary who is legally authorized to perform notarizations remotely over the internet. The notary witnesses the signing of a document via video call. Each party signs the document using an electronic notarization, which is essentially the same as an electronic signature.
Which States Allow Online Notary?
In 2012, Virginia became the first state to approve remote notarization. It also authorized its notaries to provide services nationwide, giving nearly all Americans access to online notary services. Currently, four states (Virginia, Montana, Nevada, and Texas) allow online remote notarization. Thirty-two other states allow electronic notarization but not remote notarization, which means that the notary and the signer meet in person but sign the documents electronically, saving time.
Benefits of Using a Remote Notary
The two biggest benefits of using online remote notary services are cost and convenience. Working online is cheaper than having an office, which allows remote notaries to pass on some of those savings to their clients. When it comes to convenience, who wouldn’t want to notarize a document online instead of going to a notary’s office?
Are Online Notaries Legitimate?
Many people ask if online notary services are legal. The answer is a resounding “yes.” It’s true that notaries are only authorized to perform notarial services within their state’s jurisdiction. However, as this helpful blog from the National Association of Notaries explains, a notary can notarize documents sent or filed out of state as long as the notarization takes place within their jurisdiction. In short, you don’t have to be in Virginia (or Montana, Nevada, or Texas) to notarize a document in Virginia. The only requirement is that the notary be located in Virginia.
The Top 10 Online Notary Services
Now that we understand what online remote notarization is and the difference between a remote notary and an electronic notary, let’s take a look at the top 10 service providers. The first four on this list provide remote notary services to individuals and businesses that need documents notarized. The next four are remote and electronic notary platforms that serve notaries and notary offices. The last two are industry groups that help connect people with remote and electronic notaries.
Best Remote Notary Services
1. Notarize
Notary is the oldest and most comprehensive remote legal notary service. It serves almost all types of clients, from individuals to businesses and real estate agents. It offers the highest level of security, including sophisticated identity verification and an audit trail for every transaction. It also offers a flexible pricing structure with a notary fee and monthly subscriptions for individuals, as well as wholesale prices for businesses and real estate agencies.
2. NotaryCam
NotaryCam is considered the second best online notary service due to its excellent features and global reach. It serves individuals and businesses with volume discounts for notarizing 10 or more documents per month. It uses bank-grade SSL encryption and 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data. You can even have your documents notarized from abroad, which is ideal if you need a U.S. notary outside of a U.S. consulate.
3. SafeDocs
SafeDocs offers personal notarization services to the general public, although it is best known for providing notarization services to large businesses. From a business perspective, the process of notarizing a large number of documents can be very difficult. SafeDocs has a solution for businesses, via an API, that allows you to automatically submit documents for notarization. It serves a variety of businesses, including banks, mortgage lenders, and the healthcare industry.
4. OnlineNotary.Net
OnlineNotary.Net is the best service for those who are only concerned about online notarization fees. While the top three service providers on this list charge $25 per notarization, OnlineNotary.net charges just $19.95. It also offers a monthly business plan that includes a 25% discount on notarization. Please note that OnlineNotary.net only notarizes documents for US residents, and you must have a valid US residential address.
Best Remote and E-Notarization Platforms
5. DocVerify
DocVerify is a platform that allows authorized notaries to perform remote or electronic notarizations. It does not offer electronic notary services directly to the public. However, it has a useful notary directory that allows the public to search for DocVerify notaries that offer remote and electronic notary services. This tool is free, although it requires an account.
6. Signix
Signix’s eNotaryDoX is a secure remote electronic notary service for contract notaries. This platform allows notaries to perform notarizations remotely, rather than in person. Signix’s security features include TotalAudit, a detailed log of the signing and notarization process, and multi-factor authentication options (such as knowledge-based authentication) to verify the identity of signers.
7. SignNow
SignNow is an e-signature solution for businesses that also allows its customers to notarize documents remotely. With SignNow’s remote notary service, documents are notarized instantly, and their authenticity is as legally binding as a signature attached to the document through SignNow. Note that SignNow only offers its remote notary service to businesses that have already subscribed to its e-signature platform.
8. DocuSign
If your organization performs notarial services, DocuSign’s eNotary solution allows you to perform electronic notarizations by electronically signing documents. Note that DocuSign only supports in-person e-notary services and does not allow your organization to perform remote notarizations. DocuSign eNotary is available in more than a dozen states, including California, Texas, and New York.
Best Remote Notary and E-Notary Industry Groups
9. American Association of Notaries
The American Notary Association is a non-profit organization that brings together notaries. It facilitates communication between notaries and the public through a free notary search tool. This tool allows users to search for notaries by city and state, county and province, or name. Some notaries listed in the directory offer electronic and remote notary services.
10. American Notary USA
American Notaries USA aims to connect notaries with individuals and organizations in need of their services. It offers a free directory of notaries in America, some of which offer electronic and remote notary services. To access the directory, simply sign up for a free account and follow the instructions.
