Remote Online Notary

Public Notaries have existed in Ohio law since the 1800s. While laws and regulations changed, the process mostly remained the same: meet someone in person, verify their identity, and notarize
their form(s). While straightforward, as we all know, nothing is ever this simple. From trying to schedule appointments with clients, witnesses, or individuals to geographical limitations, we have all experienced frustrations with the process (especially in a post-COVID world where personal interactions have significantly decreased). Electronic notarizations have entered the picture to combat this.

Electronic notarization, referred to as Remote Online Notarization (RON), is a process that provides the ability to notarize documents through Zoom-esque software. Leading the pack, Virgina, first passed a law in 2011 permitting RONs. While many states (15) passed laws prior to COVID permitting RONs, 23 other states only adopted these laws following the global pandemic. As states continue to update these laws to match the growing technological industry, Ohio has allowed RONs since September 20, 2019.

While RONs have increased the reach of and access to notaries, it is important to understand the requirements and procedures for RONs. As a RON myself, I am a steadfast proponent of electronic notarizations. From witnesses on cases residing hours away to clients who work 9-5’s, obtaining my RON certification has vastly improved my ability to advocate for my clients. But, if you are thinking about obtaining your RON credentials, here are important facts that you need to know.

■ You need to be certified as a traditional notary before becoming a RON.
■ As an attorney, your notary credentials do not expire as long as you are in good standing with the Ohio Bar. However, RON credentials do expire for everyone. Be sure to know when you need to renew your license.
■ You must obtain a RON platform that is approved by the State of Ohio. There are numerous options available to serve your individual or firm needs. Be sure to research each platform and determine the best option. One important (and other than user-interface, arguably the most important) factor to consider is the frequency of which you will use the platform. Nearly every approved platform has a base cost, as well as a fee per notarization. Most even provide the option to have one of their company notaries to utilize.
■ Personally, I chose Blue Notary. Blue Notary has a lower subscription cost and is better suited for those who may only need to use their RON credentials once or twice per month.
■ Per Ohio law, a RON document is legally the same as an original document.
■ RON platforms have a more in-depth verification process and are commonly deemed more reliable as the signer must not only provide an ID, but also verify their identity through other means. One common method is KBD or “knowledge based authentication”. This is similar to government verification processes asking questions like “which of the following addresses have you lived at?” or “which of the following employers have you worked for?” Due to this extra protection, the process is much more secure and you can trust the authenticity of the document.

Remote online notarizations can truly transform your practice and reduce the hassle of scheduling conflicts as well as allow you to readily and easily assist your clients. While it can be expensive based on your needs, I highly recommend looking into becoming a remote-online notary as the benefits are potentially limitless