How To Become A Remote Online Notary
How to become an online notary
The benefits of becoming an online notary
Becoming an online notary offers numerous benefits that cater to the evolving needs of constituents in the digital age. People have greater expectations for speed and efficiency, with more everyday services moving online each day. Online notarization capabilities help you to modernize your notary practice to meet these expectations.
While traditional notary services will never go away, the ability to provide an online notarization session to constituents extends your reach for where, when, and how you can perform the notarial act.
By embracing technology and providing remote services, a traditional notary who can offer online notary can tap into a wider client base, offering convenience to clients who may be located in different regions or have limited mobility. This flexibility results in increased business opportunities and potential for revenue growth for online notaries. Moreover, the digital nature of online notarization enables efficient record-keeping, streamlined processing, and reduced paper consumption, making it an environmentally friendly option. As the world continues to digitize, online notaries are well-positioned to remain relevant and competitive in the legal landscape.
Start as a traditional notary public
First, before you can be an online notary public, you need to be a traditional notary public. If you do not already have a traditional notary public commission, that is a necessary first step. To find out what is required in order to become a notary public, find guidance for doing it in your state. This process is typically these high-level steps:
Complete an application for a license with your state
Pay the state’s filing fee
Take an approved notary course (if applies)
Pass the state’s exam and other requirements
Get your commission certificate from your state.
Notaries typically require a surety bond as part of the required steps to get a traditional notary certificate. Find local bond providers, they often can assist with other steps along the way. Notary supplies are easily found online, be sure you find a credible provider who knows the industry well and who has a proven history in the industry.
Add Remote Online Notary (RON)
Second, to answer how to become an online notary, you’ll need to acquire an add-on endorsement for RON from the state, and your state may have requirements and/or fees to complete this step. If you are becoming a notary public at the same time, this can be a simple upgrade to the process and it typically can be completed all at once with your notary certification.
You’ll also need to choose an easy-to-use, secure, and affordable remote online notarization platform to use. (Hello Notary Hub! 👋)
Digital certificate for online notary
In order to perform your notarial duties online you’ll need a digital signature, a digital stamp, along with a digital certificate and electronic journal compatible with the Remote Online Notary (RON) system you choose.
Good news is, Notary Hub makes all these available to our registered notary public users. By seamlessly integrating digital signing certificate acquisition with a trusted vendor, we've eliminated the need for you to purchase a separate Identrust certificate, making the whole process more convenient and user-friendly. To make finding, purchasing, and securing your notary compliant X.509 digital document signing certificate we’ve partnered with SSL so that you can easily purchase your cloud-based signing certificate at a discounted rate for the first year. We even prompt you with the option to secure your digital signing certificate during your account set up on Notary Hub — talk about turnkey. How to become an online notary? All you need is 15 minutes, a few easy clicks, and you’re not only a notary public, now you're an online notary!
When your online notary commission expires, Notary Hub will ensure that you retain access to your electronic notary journal, which gives you access to all the remote online notarizations that you've ever performed on the platform. We retain every electronic document, along with the video and audio conference data, via our secure third party vendors. If you choose to renew, we'll support that process through reminders and easy renewal of your digital certificate, which is backed by credential analysis using appropriate third party vendors.
Remote Notarization
Your electronic seal and electronic signature will create a verifiable electronic record of the notarial transaction when you perform online notarization.
Become an online notary public
Once step one and two are complete, you simply apply with your state to file an amendment to your traditional license to add online notary. Notary Hub is approved for use as an online notary RON platform in AK, AZ, FL, ID, KS, MO, NE, ND, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, and WA. How to become an online notary in each state may have slightly different requirements.
Once your application is approved, you are an online notary public! You may begin using your RON platform to constituents who are not physically present. Remember, you must typically be in the state your online notary amendment was granted in during the online notary session.
To find out if your state allows for remote online notarization and what the specific requirements are for you to become an online notary public, check with your Secretary of State Notary Department.
Notary Hub works well on both desktop and mobile devices
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to become an electronic notary?
Notary Hub subscription prices vary depending on the subscription, but with a four-year term, the subscription price is as low as $5/month. The digital certificate is provided by a third party vendor and costs between $4 - $5 per month, paid in 1-year or 4-year terms.
Corporate subscriptions unlock the ability for companies to centrally manage the subscriptions of many online notaries. Fees are pooled and each time the Corp's notaries perform online notarizations, the company consumes a credit for that month. The number of credits purchased by Corporate accounts varies based on the volume of notarial acts performed online.
The fees for existing notary public users to add an electronic notarial certificate vary by state.
Are online notarizations secure?
Online notarizations require signers to go through credential analysis prior to the start of the session, unless that person is personally known by the notary. Identity proofing is managed by particular third party vendors and includes a Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) quiz, which prompts the user to answer questions based on public data that only they would know, such as their prior addresses, prior employers, etc. The process of conducting identity proofing also requires the constituent to provide their government-issued identity. All these services are fully integrated into the Notary Hub platform, as well as a real-time video and audio conference.
When the notarial acts are finished, the document will contain your electronic seal and will be cryptographically signed by your digital certificate.
By implementing robust identity proofing measures, online notaries can maintain the trust and confidence that clients and stakeholders place in the notarization process, while also adapting to the demands of applicable statutes and the existing notary rules of traditional notarizations.
Does Notary Hub offer support?
Whether it's technological support needed, or other help for online remote notarizations, Notary Hub's customer support is ready to help. We have multiple channels to connect with us: live chat, email, or our toll-free customer support line. As a notary online, there are several steps to get started, and our platform is designed to guide you seamlessly through the process.
At Notary Hub, we understand the importance of a smooth and efficient experience for our online notaries, and that's why we've invested in a comprehensive and responsive customer support system. Our dedicated team of experts is well-versed in the intricacies of online remote notarizations, ensuring that you receive accurate guidance and prompt assistance whenever you need it. Additionally, our user-friendly platform features intuitive navigation and a wealth of resources, including video tutorials, FAQs, and best practice guides, to empower you with the knowledge and tools to succeed in your online notary endeavors. By choosing Notary Hub, you're not only joining a reliable platform but also gaining access to a supportive community committed to your professional growth and success.
