RON, or remote online notarization, is not a new concept, but how crucial RON can be during emergencies is something that most connected industries came to appreciate only after the pandemic. Depending on state rules and the applicability of online notarization services, it may or may not be a viable option for your business, so do read on to know more.
Find Out If the State Allows and Accepts Remote Online Notarization Practices
It should be noted that since online notary operations across multiple new states had to be expanded in order to accommodate the covid-19 restrictions, the rules now vary in accordance with the state in question. Certain core rules and regulations which governed RON processes in states that allowed it previously are still largely the same, but multiple changes have been made in states that did not previously validate online notarization.
It is highly recommended that you check this site for more information on how to find a remote online notary service in your own state, or to determine whether you can even do so. If RON is not applicable, consider mobile notary public services instead. It ensures that a notary comes into the company office, allowing everyone to maintain strict preventive measures in a controlled environment, as advised by the CDC.
Understand that You Will Need to Work with a Third-Party Software
To keep the notarization process as secured and authentic as possible, the use of specialized digital technology is essential. To maintain that authenticity, both the notary public and their clients will have to work via a third-party software provider. The National Notary Association has listed the registered and authenticated tech companies on their website, but we also have the list below for you to conveniently check next:
• Notarize
• NotaryLive
• Nexsys
• NotaryCam
• DocVerify
• eNotary Log
• SIGNiX
• Safedocs
• Pavaso
Setting up your own private RON system is not out of the question either, but that is up to the notary to decide. From a client’s perspective though, staying with an NNA-authorized software provider is advisable.
Electronic Notarization (IPEN) and Remote Online Notarization (RON) are Two Different Processes
A common client end mistake is thinking that electronic notarization and remote online notarization are one and the same. IPEN requires the signing party/parties and the notary to meet one-on-one (physically) for verification, while RON does not. Find out about the other key differences between IPEN and RON here from the official source itself.
In case you are considering online notarization for the first time, then you are definitely not alone. Most companies within the SME sector did not think that they would need RON services, until the restrictions had to be imposed. Now that they have been there for a while though, the convenience, the reduced cost of operation and the faster processing speeds turned out to be a pleasant surprise for them. A large majority of businesses are going to stay with RON options for meeting their regular notarization needs, even after everything normalizes. This is provided that their state does not withdraw consent post emergency of course.
