Legislation State: Nevada Signed: June 09, 2023 Effective: July 01, 2023 Chapter:  242 Summary Senate Bill 349 amends Nevada’s statutes for document preparation services, a non-legal service of providing legal documents to individuals. Affects Adds as yet uncodified sections to and amends Sections 240A.150, 240A.240, 240A.260, 240A.270, and 482.160 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Changes Advertisements Provides a limited exception from that general prohibition by authorizing a document preparation service to use the term “Department of Motor Vehicles” or “DMV” in an advertisement if: (1) the term is followed by the term “services,” “registration services” or other similar language; and (2) the advertisement includes a clear and conspicuous statement that the document preparation service is a third-party business not affiliated with the Department. Requires any advertisement for services of a document preparation service disseminated or caused to be disseminated by a registrant must include a prescribed notice, as specified, in the same language as the rest of the advertisement and in a conspicuous size. Specifies the prescribed notice that must be included in an advertisement for document preparation services as follows: “I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY IN THE STATE OF NEVADA. I AM NOT LICENSED TO GIVE LEGAL ADVICE OR LEGAL REPRESENTATION. I MAY NOT ACCEPT FEES FOR GIVING LEGAL ADVICE OR LEGAL REPRESENTATION.” Provides that if the Secretary of State finds a registrant in violation of the advertising requirements stated above, the Secretary may: (a) Suspend the registration of the registrant for not less than 1 year. (b) Revoke the registration of the registrant for a third or subsequent offense. (c) Assess a penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation for a registrant who does not include the prescribed notice in an advertisement for services. Provides that unless a greater penalty is provided pursuant to NRS 240A.290, a registrant who is found guilty in a criminal prosecution of violating the advertising provisions stated above shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $5,000 for each violation. Status Updates Requires a document preparation service to submit to the Secretary of State a request for an amended registration of a form provided by the Secretary when the registrant changes his or her mailing address, county of residence, or place of business or employment within 30 days after making the change and providing the new information. Requires a document preparation service registrant to submit to the Secretary of State a request for an amended registration on a form provided by the Secretary if the registrant changes his or her name and the registrant intends to use that new name in performing document preparation services within 30 days of the change, including the new name and address of the registrant. Authorizes the Secretary of State to suspend a document preparation service registration of a registrant who fails to notify the Secretary of a change of mailing address, county of resident or place of business or employment. Unlawful Acts, Complaints, and Penalties Provides it is unlawful for a person to: (a) represent himself or herself as a document preparation service if the person has not registered as a document preparation service, or if his or her registration is expired, revoked or suspended or is otherwise not in good standing or (b) submit an application for registration as a document preparation service that contains a substantial and material misstatement or omission of fact. Provides that the civil penalty for a person representing himself or herself as a document preparation service if the person has not registered as a document preparation service, or if his or her registration is expired, revoked or suspended or is otherwise not in good standing  is not more than $1,000 for each violation, plus reasonable investigative fees and costs. Authorizes the Secretary of State to request to Attorney General to bring an action to enjoin any violation of a person representing himself or herself as a document preparation service if the person has not registered as a document preparation service, or if his or her registration is expired, revoked or suspended or is otherwise not in good standing, and recover any penalties, attorney’s fees, and costs. Sets forth penalties, as specified, if a document preparation service registrant (a) retains any fees or costs for services not performed or costs not incurred after the date of last service performed for a client; (b) makes certain promises, or statements; (c) uses certain terms in an advertisement or written description of the registrant or services provided by the registrant; (d) represents himself or herself as a paralegal or legal assistant; (e) with certain exceptions, negotiates concerning the rights or responsibilities of a client; (f) with certain exceptions, appears on behalf of a client in a court proceeding or other formal adjudicative proceeding; (f) with certain exceptions, provides certain advice, explanations, opinions or recommendations to a client; or (g) seeks or obtains from a client a waiver of any provision of law relating to document preparation services. Provides that the Secretary of State may suspend a registrant for not less than 1 year, revoke the registration of the registrant for a third or subsequent offense, and assess a penalty of not more than $1,000 per violation for violating the provisions of NRS 240A.240.1 as noted above in #4. Authorizes any person aware of a violation by a document preparation service or person applying for registration as a document preparation service to file a complaint with the Secretary of State. Provides that if the Secretary of State receives a complaint against a registrant, the Secretary must notify the registrant by certified mail, include in the notification (a) A description of each allegation contained in the complaint; (b) A statement of each statutory provision which the document preparation service or other person is alleged to have violated; (c) An explanation of any disciplinary action that may be taken against the document preparation service or other person if the Secretary of State determines that the alleged violation occurred; (d) A statement that the document preparation service or other person must respond to the notice not later than 15 days after the notice is received; and (e) Instructions on the manner in which the document preparation service or other person may respond to the notice. Provides that the notice sent by the Secretary of State to a registrant who is the subject of a complaint is deemed to have been received 3 days after the notice is mailed. Suspension or Revocation of Registration Authorizes the Secretary of State to suspend or revoke the registration of a document preparation service pending a hearing if the Secretary of State believes it is in the public interest or is necessary to protect the public. Provides that if after an investigation into a violation of NRS 240A related to document preparation services the Secretary may revoke or suspend the registration of a registrant and impose a civil penalty of $1,000 after a hearing. Provides that if a registrant within a reasonable period of time fails to provide the Secretary of State with any information requested by the Secretary of State during an investigation of an alleged violation by the registrant, the Secretary may suspend, revoke or refuse to renew the registration of the registrant. Analysis In Nevada, a document preparation service provides consumers with legal documents for their legal needs, but they do it without giving legal advice. Registration of providers is required, and they are regulated by the Secretary of State. Notaries may consider offering document preparation services, since it fits in well with the provision of notarial services. Senate Bill 349 updates Chapter 240A of the Nevada Revised Statutes with new requirements and penalties. It also amends NRS 482.160 to allow document preparation services to use the phrase Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV in advertisements, under certain conditions, as specified.

Legislation State: Nevada Signed: May 30, 2025 Effective: May 30, 2025 Chapter:  149 Summary Nevada enacts the Revised Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children, which requires a notarized certification for certain child placements involving a private adoption agency. Affects Adds as yet uncodified sections to Chapter 127 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Changes Defines "certification" to mean to attest, declare or swear to before a judge or Notary Public. Requires a request for approval for placement of a child by a private child placing agency to contain a certification by a licensed attorney or authorized agent of a private adoption agency that the consent or relinquishment is in compliance with the applicable laws of the sending state, or where permitted the laws of the state where finalization of the adoption will occur. Takes effect upon passage and approval but implementation is not final until 35 states adopt the Compact. Analysis Assembly Bill 518 enacts the most recent changes to the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC). The ICPC governs the placement of abused, neglected, dependent, delinquent, or unmanageable children and children for possible adoption between all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and certain U.S. territories that have signed onto the Compact. The new compact has a provision requiring a notarized “certification” for placements by a private adoption agency. The new Compact takes effect when 35 states have enacted the provisions of the new Compact. According to the American Public Human Services Association that tracks enactments, as of May 31, 18 states had enacted the ICPC. Until then, the prior version governs interstate placements.

State: Nevada Signed: June 09, 2025 Effective: June 09, 2025 Chapter:  429 Summary Authorizes a parent or guardian of a minor to request to nominate another person to be appointed as the minor’s guardian by executing a form that must be signed by two witnesses and a Notary Public. Affects Creates an as yet uncodified section in Chapter 159A of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Changes Authorizes a parent or guardian of a minor to nominate another person to be appointed as the minor's guardian by completing a form. Requires a request to nominate the guardian of a minor form to be (a) signed by the parent or guardian who is executing the form; (b) signed by two impartial adult witnesses who have no interest, financial or otherwise, in the estate of the minor or the parent or guardian of the minor and who attest that the parent or guardian has the mental capacity to understand and execute the form; and (c) notarized. Provides a statutory request to nominate guardian of a minor form. Requires the Secretary of State to make the form available on the Secretary of State’s website. Authorizes the Secretary of State to adopt regulations. Analysis Assembly Bill 460 introduces new procedures allowing parents or guardians to formally nominate a guardian for a minor child through a notarized form, which can be filed with the Nevada Lockbox, an electronic registry maintained by the Secretary of State.

State: Nevada Signed: June 03, 2025 Effective: July 01, 2025 Chapter:  242 Summary Assembly Bill 315 gives providers two options for applying as a Medicare provider, one which is having a Notary verify their identity and signature on the application. Affects Amends Section 422.550 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Changes Requires that an application submitted to participate in Medicaid as a provider be accompanied by verification of the identity and signature of the person who signed the statement. Specifies that a person may verify his or her identity and signature for to participate in Medicare as a provider by: (a) oath or affirmation before a Notary Public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths or affirmations; or (b) using an electronic identity verification system. Analysis Assembly Bill 315 requires an applicant who wishes to participate in Medicare as a provider to have their identity and signature on their application verified. It allows this to be done electronically by an electronic identity verification process or in person before a Notary or other individual authorized by law to administer oaths and affirmations.

State: Nevada Signed: June 03, 2025 Effective: October 01, 2025 Chapter:  239 Summary Assembly Bill 227 pertains to various notarized declaration and affidavits related to the adoption process. Affects Creates as yet uncodified sections in the Nevada Revised Statutes. Changes Provides that a specific consent to an adoption or a relinquishment executed in Nevada, or executed outside Nevada for use in Nevada, is not valid unless it is acknowledged before a Notary Public. Authorizes an attesting witness to any specific consent to adoption to make and sign an affidavit, as specified, before any person authorized to administer oaths in Nevada, stating such facts as they would be required to testify to in court to prove the due execution of the specific consent to adoption. Authorizes an attesting witness to a relinquishment to make and sign an affidavit before any person authorized to administer oaths in Nevada, stating such facts as they would be required to testify to in court to prove the due execution of the relinquishment. Provides that if a prospective adoptive parent or parents determines that an adoption cannot or should not proceed prospective adoptive parent or parents may surrender the adoptive placement by executing a written and notarized declaration, as surrendering the adoptive placement. Provides that if a prospective adoptive parent determines that an identified adoption cannot or should not proceed and a petition for adoption has not been finalized, the prospective adoptive parent may surrender the adoptive placement by executing a written and notarized declaration surrendering the adoptive placement. Provides that if a child-placing agency learns that a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that a person has parental rights to a child for whom a relinquishment has been executed, the child-placing agency must execute a notarized declaration voiding the relinquishment. Analysis Assembly Bill 227 makes various changes to provide: (1) general provisions applicable to the adoption of children, regardless of the type of adoption; (2) provisions governing the adoption of children in the custody of agencies which provide child welfare services; (3) provisions governing confirmatory adoptions and readoptions; (4) provisions governing close-family adoptions; and (5) provisions governing agency adoptions, identified adoptions and adult adoptions. The portions of the bill of most interest to us are those which provide for the notarization of consents and relinquishments of adoption, as well as affidavits related to relinquishments, surrendering an adoptive placement, and voiding relinquishments. The bill takes effect upon passage and approval for the purpose of adopting regulations and performing other preparatory administrative tasks that are necessary to carry out the provisions of this act and on October 1, 2025, for all other purposes.

State: Nevada Signed: May 28, 2025 Effective: January 01, 2026 Chapter:  68 Summary Assembly Bill 72 authorizes the Nevada Secretary of State to establish a code of professional responsibility for Notaries and refuse to perform a notarial act under certain circumstances, as specified. Affects Amends Sections 240.017, 240.075, 240.150, and 240.1993 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Changes Authorizes the Secretary of State by regulations to establish a code of professional responsibility for Notaries Public. Authorizes a notarial officer to refuse to perform a notarial act if the officer is not satisfied that: (a) The person executing the record is competent or has the capacity to execute the record; or (b) The person’s signature is knowingly and voluntarily made. Authorizes a notarial officer to refuse to perform a notarial act unless a refusal to perform the notarial act is otherwise prohibited by law. Defines “competent” to mean the principal reasonably appears in possession of the mental capacity to understand the nature and consequences of the notarial act. Clarifies that for any willful violation or neglect of duty or violation of any regulation adopted by the Secretary of State, administrative action may be taken against the commission of the Notary as described in NRS 240.150.4. Clarifies that an Electronic Notary Public shall not (previously may not) perform an electronic notarial act using audio-video communication unless the Electronic Notary is physically present in Nevada at the time of the notarial act. Analysis Assembly Bill enacts a provision not seen in any other state’s Notary statutes: It authorizes the Secretary of State to establish a code of professional responsibility for Notaries Public. It will be interesting to see what the Nevada Secretary of State has in mind. The NNA has its own Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility , but we have not had any discussions with the Secretary of State’s office about adopting the Code for their purposes. AB 72 also enacts a provision from the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts that the NNA worked with the title insurance industry in Nevada on to authorize Notaries to refuse to perform a notarial act under certain conditions as specified in the bill.

Some commonly used Notary terms and abbreviations: Acknowledgment: Act in which a Notary certifies having positively identified a document signer who personally appeared before the Notary and admitted having signed the document. Administer: To give formally, as in "giving" an oath or affirmation. Administrative Penalty: Punishment imposed by authorities who regulate Notaries, in the form of revocation, suspension or denial of a commission and, in some states, fines or mandatory education. Affiant: Signer of an affidavit. Affidavit: Written statement signed before a Notary by a person who swears or affirms to the Notary that the statement is true. Affirmation: Spoken, solemn promise on one's personal honor, with no reference to a Supreme Being, that is made before a Notary in relation to a jurat or other Notary act, or as a Notary act in its own right. Apostille: Authenticating certificate required by Hague Convention that replaces a traditional chain of certificates. Attorney in Fact: Person who has authority to sign for another. Authentication: Process of proving the genuineness of the signature and seal of a Notary or other official, usually through attachment of a certificate of authority. Awareness: Being able to understand what is happening and to act responsibly. Bond: A Notary bond is a written guarantee that money up to a limit will be paid by a surety to a person financially damaged by a Notary's misconduct in the event the Notary fails to do so. Capacity: Specific role of a representative signer — attorney in fact, trustee, corporate officer, partner or other — when signing for another person, organization or legal entity. Certificate: Wording completed, signed and sealed by a Notary that states the particulars of a notarization and appears at the end of a signed document or on a paper attached to it. Sometimes referred to as the "Statement of Particulars" or the "Notary block." Certificate Form: Notarial certificate wording on a separate sheet of paper that is attached to a document. Used when no wording is provided, when the provided certificate wording does not comply with state requirements, when there is no room for the seal on the document or when a preprinted certificate has already been used by another Notary. Certificate of Authority: Paper stating that the signature and seal on an attached document belong to a legitimate Notary or other official. Also called a "Certificate of Capacity." Certificate of Prothonotary: Certificate of authority issued by a prothonotary — the equivalent of a county clerk in some states. Certified Copy: Document certified by an official, such as a Notary, to be an accurate reproduction of an original. Chain Certification: Traditional authentication procedure that requires sequential attachment of certificates of authority, each validating the genuineness of the preceding one. Chain of Personal Knowledge: Knowledge of identity linking the Notary with the signer through a credible identifying witness to establish the signer's identity. The Notary personally knows and can identify the credible witness, and the credible witness personally knows and can identify the document signer. Civil Penalty: Payment of funds by a Notary resulting from a lawsuit to recover financial losses that were claimed to have been caused by the Notary's misconduct. Combined Acknowledgment Certificate: Acknowledgment certificate wording indicating a person signed in two or more representative capacities. Commission: To authorize to perform notarial acts; written authorization to perform Notary acts that is issued by a state's governor, secretary of state or other empowering official. Called an appointment in some states and jurisdictions. Copy Certification: Act in which a Notary certifies that a copy of a document is a true and accurate reproduction of the original. County Clerk: Official whose duties may include keeping a file of the bonds and signed oaths of office of Notaries, issuing certificates of authority for those Notaries and accepting custody of journals surrendered by those Notaries upon retirement. In some states called a "prothonotary." County Recorder: Official who registers deeds and certain other documents in the public record. In some states called a County Auditor. Credible Identifying Witness: Believable person who identifies a document signer to the Notary after taking an oath or affirmation. The credible identifying witness must personally know the document signer and also be personally known by the Notary. Custodian or Document Custodian: Keeper of a document. Deed: Document transferring ownership of property and requiring notarization. Deposition: Written statement used in a lawsuit that is transcribed from words spoken by a person (deponent) under oath or affirmation and that is usually signed by this person. Disqualifying Interest: Advantage or potential advantage resulting in ineligibility to perform a Notary act. Embosser Seal: Press-like device that imprints a raised image into a paper surface to form a Notary seal. Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance: Contract between a Notary and an indemnity company whereby, in the event of a lawsuit against the Notary resulting from certain acts in performing a notarization, the company absorbs the Notary's costs and financial liabilities up to an agreed limit. False Certificate: Notary wording that contains incorrect information. Guardian: Person with the lawful power and duty to manage the affairs of another individual; conservator. Hague Convention: Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, a treaty signed by more than 90 nations, including the United States, that simplifies authentication of notarized documents sent between nations. Identification Document (ID Card): Document or card which establishes the bearer's identity. Examples include passports, driver's licenses and nondriver's IDs, among others. Immigration Forms Specialist (IFS): Person who helps applicants for U.S. residency and citizenship complete immigration forms. An IFS may also help with translation and obtaining supporting documents, such as birth certificates. They may not offer legal advice or other services that an attorney would provide, such as representing a client in an immigration proceeding. Impartiality: State of being unbiased; specifically, having no motive but to perform notarial duties legally and ethically. Impartial Witness: Observer without bias; one who has no financial or beneficial interest in the transaction at hand. Inking Seal: Device that imprints ink on paper to form a photocopiable Notary seal. Journal Entry: Information recorded in a journal describing a particular notarization. Journal of Notary Acts: A Notary journal is a detailed, chronological record of the Notary Public's official acts. Jurat: Act in which a Notary certifies having watched the signing of a document and administered an oath or affirmation. Jurisdiction: Geographic area — a state or county — in which a Notary Public is authorized to perform acts. Living Will: Written statement of a person's wishes concerning medical treatment in the event the signer has an illness or injury and is unable to give instructions on his or her own behalf. Long-Form Certificate: Standard or unabridged Notary certificate wording. L.S.: Abbreviation of the Latin term locus sigilli, meaning "place of the seal." Traditional element indicating where the seal imprint is to be placed. Marriage: Act of uniting two people as spouses. Performed by Notaries only in Maine, South Carolina, Florida and Nevada. Ministerial Official: Public officer who follows written rules without having to use significant judgment or discretion. A Notary is a ministerial official. Nondriver's ID: Identification document similar to a driver's license issued by most states upon request to nondrivers, such as juveniles and the elderly. Notary Acts, Notarizations: Witnessing duties of a Notary that are specified by law. Most often, the Notary's duties involve signed documents and require the Notary to ensure a signer's identity and/or to administer an oath or affirmation. Notary Misconduct: Notary's violation of a law, regulation, official directive or expected standard of honesty, care or good judgment, usually in executing a notarization. Notary Public: Person of proven integrity appointed by a state government to serve the public as an impartial witness with duties specified by law. The Notary has the power to witness the signing of documents and to administer oaths. Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility : Code of conduct for Notaries, developed by the National Notary Association. Oath: Spoken, solemn promise to a Supreme Being that is made before a Notary in relation to a jurat or other Notary act, or as a Notary act in its own right. Oath of Office: Oath promising to faithfully discharge the duties of a particular office. Personal Appearance: Appearing in person, face to face, in the same room with the Notary at the time of the notarization — not before and not after. Personal Knowledge: Familiarity with an individual resulting from random interactions over a period of time sufficient to eliminate every reasonable doubt that the individual has the identity claimed. Power of Attorney: Document granting authority for a person to act as attorney in fact for another. Principal: Person who is a signer of and party to a document. Proof of Execution by Subscribing Witness: Act where a person (called the subscribing witness) states under oath or affirmation before a Notary that he or she either watched another individual (called the principal) sign a document or took that person's acknowledgment of an already signed document. The witness must affix a signature to the document in addition to the principal's. Protest: Act in which a Notary certifies that a signer did not receive payment for a negotiable instrument. Prove: Authenticate the signature of a principal signer not appearing before a Notary. Publicly Recorded: Placed in the public record or filed with a county recorder as authentic. Quality of Officer: Term sometimes appearing on Notary certificates and meaning "title of official," such as "Notary Public." Reasonable Care: Degree of concern and attentiveness that a person of normal intelligence and responsibility would exhibit. Representative Capacity: Status of signing or acting on behalf of another person or on behalf of a legal entity, such as a corporation, partnership or trust. Representative Signer: Person with the legal authority to sign for another individual, organization or legal entity. Representative signing capacities include attorney in fact, trustee, corporate officer and partner. Satisfactory Evidence: Reliable identification document, or the sworn or affirmed statement of a credible identifying witness, that satisfactorily proves that an individual has the identity claimed. Seal of Notary: A Notary seal is an inking or embossing device that imprints the Notary's name, title (Notary Public) and jurisdiction on a notarized document. Also may include such information as the county where the commission and bond are on file, commission number and date of commission expiration. Short-Form Certificate: Notary certificate with abridged or condensed wording. Signature by Mark: An "X" or other symbol made in place of a signature by a person unable to write and witnessed by a Notary and two other persons. Signature by Proxy: Signature made on behalf of a principal by a Notary or third party who is not an attorney in fact. Notary signatures by proxy are allowed only in a few states. Signature of Notary: Handwritten name of and by the Notary, matching exactly with the name on the Notary's commissioning paper. Signing Agent: A Notary who specializes in loan document assignments, performing courier duties for loan packages as well as notarizing the borrower's signature on loan documents. Sometimes referred to as a "Notary Signing Agent" or "NSA." SS. or SCT.: Abbreviations of the Latin word scilicet, meaning "in particular" or "namely." Traditional element appearing after or to the right of the venue in a Notary certificate. Statutory Fee: Charge prescribed by law for services. Subscribe: Sign. Subscribing Witness: Person who either watches another (the principal) sign a document or takes that person's acknowledgment of an already-signed document and appears before the Notary on behalf of the principal. The subscribing witness must sign the document in addition to the principal, must be personally known by the Notary and must take an oath or affirmation stating that he or she witnessed the principal sign or took the principal's acknowledgment. Substantially Complies: In agreement, but not necessarily verbatim. Supplemental ID: Identification document that, alone, does not provide positive identification of a signer due to its lack of a photograph, the ease with which it may be counterfeited and the low level of security in its issuance. Surety: Person or company obliged to pay money up to a limit in the event a bonded individual fails to do so; guarantor. Swear: To make an oath; to state under oath. To make a solemn promise to a Supreme Being. Testimonium Clause: Wording in a Notary certificate whereby the Notary formally attests to the facts. Typically phrased as, "Witness my hand and official seal." Unauthorized Practice of Law: Practice of law by a person who is not a legal professional. Illegal act of a nonattorney in helping another person to draft, prepare, complete, select or understand a document or transaction. Venue: Wording in a Notary certificate that indicates the state and county where the notarization takes place. Verification: Sworn or affirmed declaration that a statement or pleading is true. Vital Record: Birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate or other public record of demographic data. Will: Legal document containing a person's wishes about disposition of personal property after death; short for "last will and testament." Willingness: Acting freely without duress or undue influence. Witness: One who has personally seen something; to observe. This glossary is an excerpt from The Complete How-To Guide For Notaries . NNA Members can access the entire Glossary for free by logging into MyNNA.

Remote online notarizations (RONs) marry the convenience, speed, and efficiency of the digital world with the integrity and trustworthiness of centuries-old Notary practices and customs. For many remote online Notaries , the first question is, “How do I get started?” To perform remote notarizations, you will need to choose a platform provider that will give you the tools you need. If you’re new to RON , you’re probably wondering how to find the RON platform that best suits your needs. To get started, you will need to know if your state law requires Notaries to select a provider that has been approved by the commissioning official. To help with this, we provide a drop-down list by state with the names of approved platforms for your state. If your state does not require platforms to be approved, we will tell you that. But approval by the commissioning official is the floor, not the ceiling. You must choose a company that is right for you. To help you with this, we will discuss some things all Notaries — in both “approval” and “non-approval” states — should consider when choosing a RON platform provider. RON Platform Information by State View RON platforms approved for use in each state. If a state does not require platforms to undergo an approval process, or if the state does not allow Notaries to perform remote notarization, that is noted. Note: Some commissioning official websites show approved or listed platforms for both RON and in-person electronic notarization (IPEN) in the same list. IPEN platform providers have been removed from the listing below. This information is current as of July 7, 2025. Type your state below or select Show All States. Show All States Nevada Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Digital Delivery, Inc., Clear Sign, docVerify, Proof (formerly Notarize Inc.), eNotary Log, NotaryCam, Pavaso, Online Notary Center, Inc. Stavvy, First American Title Insurance Company, SYNRGO, LiveNotary, LLC, MetLife Legal Plans, Inc., Blend, SIGNiX, Inc., Figure Technologies, Inc., Cyberize It, LLC, Qualia Labs, Inc., Simplifile LC, DocMagic, Inc., E-Notary Seal, BlueNotary, Pactima, NotaryHub by Everything Legal, PandaDoc, Inc. How to Choose a Remote Online Notarization Platform Platform type:  You will need to consider the type of platform to select. Some allow Notaries to bring their customers onto the platform and some do not. Some bring the customer to the Notary. Some platforms only serve the real estate industry, corporate customers, or are owned by title insurance companies. Will you be bringing customers onto the platform or relying on the platform to bring customers to you? Do you want both options? Are you only performing RONs on mortgage transactions? Minimum hardware requirements:  Each platform will have different computer system requirements. Make sure your computer meets these system requirements. For example, there may be minimum resolution for the camera on your laptop or desktop and recommended Internet speed. If you plan on using an iPad or Android tablet, does the platform work on tablets and does your tablet meet any minimum system requirements? Sign up and onboarding:  How does the platform register and onboard Notaries onto their platform? What must you do? Are there any costs to sign up? Training and support: Does the platform provide training when you are getting started and a help line or chat when you get stuck? Consider only platforms that have these resources. And make sure that any technical support a platform offers is available when you need it (for example, you are on the West Coast and the platform is on the East Coast). Pricing: Most systems will require a fee to use the system. If the platform collects the fee for the notarization from the customer and then pays you a portion of the fee, or charges a per-transaction fee, what is your cut? If the platform requires a subscription, does your anticipated business from RON justify the cost? The “build it and they will come” philosophy rarely works. Make sure you have business today to justify the ongoing subscription. You can always subscribe later when you have business to justify the cost. Digital certificate: Some platforms require you to use a digital certificate that they provide to you or that you must buy from them when you sign up. Others allow you to purchase your own digital certificate and bring it onto the platform. If a platform you are considering requires you to use their digital certificate, it is more than likely you won’t be able to use that digital certificate on other platforms. The NNA recommends that you choose a platform that allows you to use your own digital certificate. Why? It’s expensive to purchase a digital certificate for each platform you use, and you may find yourself using more than one. Control of notarial records: Who — the platform or you — maintains control over the journal entries and recordings of the RONs you perform? Your state law may address this, but if it does not, the NNA believes the Notary should decide who inspects or receives a copy of a journal entry or recording because you are the notarial officer who created the records. You are the gatekeeper of your notarial records, not the platform. Storage of notarial records: Here are some questions you should ask related to the storage of your notarial records. Does the provider provide long-term storage of journal entries and recordings of RONs themselves, or do they farm it out to a “repository” or “depository?” For how long do they retain notarial records? How easy is it to download all notarial records if you want to archive them yourself? The answers to these questions could have implications later if you or your guardian or representative must access a notarial record after you are no longer a Notary or have passed on. Anti-fraud capabilities: There are always risks in performing notarial acts when the signer is not physically in front of you. Reputable platforms should use technologies to counter any known threats, like spotting impostors and deepfakes. Ask the platform provider to explain the technologies they use and how they work within their platform. Platform upgrades: You should inquire how frequently the provider issues platform service patches, security updates, and feature upgrades. Ask for the URL of the page on the provider’s website showing release history and notes. A platform that hasn’t been updated recently may indicate how committed the provider is to the future of the platform. For example, a provider that upgrades the platform with “liveness detection” to spot deepfakes or other fraud-spotting capabilities demonstrates the provider is serious about their product. Notary knowledge: You want to choose a company that knows Notaries and notarization. Pepper the provider with questions about Notary law and practice. For example, ask the provider to explain the information you can or must record in the journal. The NNA has seen platform demonstrations where the providers required Notaries to enter full ID card serial numbers. There are several states that prohibit this, and these providers didn’t know this was prohibited. But they should have known. The best platforms should know that journal entry requirements vary by state and have designed their journal to comply with the law. Complaints: It is always wise to check the Better Business Bureau and, if your state requires platforms to be approved, you will want to ask your commissioning official if the platform you are considering has had any complaints filed against them. Ask who’s using it: You should ask other Notaries you know which platforms they use and why. Also reach out to Notaries on social media for their thoughts. There’s collective knowledge and wisdom out there for the asking and most Notaries will want to help. Select a platform that other Notaries recommend. Kick the tires: Ask the provider to give you a demo of the platform so that you can see the system for yourself. Also, ask for a trial account so that after the demo, you can poke around and investigate the system yourself. You wouldn’t think of buying a car sight unseen. The same is true with RON platforms. Give it a whirl: Perform enough transactions on your chosen platform to assess whether it will meet your long-term needs. If the platform offers subscription pricing, pay month to month until you know it is the right system for you. Then, if the system offers a yearly subscription at a lower per-month rate, you can sign up for that. Here Are All The RON Platforms Per Each State Alabama RON not authorized. Alaska RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, but the following providers are listed on the Lieutenant Governor’s website (although none are endorsed by the Lieutenant Governor): Astrean, BlueNotary, Clear Sign (Amrock, LLC - formerly Nexsys), Digital Delivery, Inc., DocVerify, eNotaryLog, Nexsys, Notarize, NotaryCam, NotaryHub, NotaryLive, OneNotary, Online Notary Center, OnlineNotary.us , Pactima, PandaDoc, Pavaso, ProNotary, Secured Signing, SIGNiX, Stavvy. Arizona RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, but the following providers are listed on the Secretary’s website (although none are endorsed by the Secretary of State): Bluenotary, Carvana, Cyberize It, LLC, Digital Delivery, Inc., DocuSign, DocVerify, E-Notary Seal, LLC, eNotaryLog.com , Epic River, First American Signpost, Nexsys Technologies, Notarial Signings, Notarize, Notarize Genie, NotaryCam, NotaryHub by Everything Legal, NotaryLive, OneNotary, OneSpan, Online Notary, Online Notary Center, OnlineNotary.Net , PandaDoc, Inc., Pavaso, Inc., Pro Notary, Qualia, Safedocs, Secured Signing, Signix, Simply Secure Sign, Stavvy, SYNRGO, Inc. Arkansas Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: DocVerify, Pavaso, SIGNiX, eNotaryLog, Amrock (Acquired Nexsys Technologies), Simplifile, Pactima, Proof (formerly Notarize), Blue Notary. California RON has been enacted but cannot yet be performed. Colorado Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Amrock, LLC, Black Knight Technologies, LLC, Blend Labs, Inc., Blue Notary LLC, Cyberize It, LLC, DocMagic, Inc., DocuSign, Inc., Epic River Healthcare, Inc., Notarize, Inc., NotaryCam, Inc., NotaryLive.com , Online Notary Center Inc., OnlineNotary, Inc., Pactima Inc., PandaDoc, Inc., Pavaso, Inc., Qualia Labs, Inc., Secured Signing Inc., SIGNiX, SIMPLIFILE LLC, Stavvy, Inc. Connecticut The Secretary of the State does not currently interpret their remote notarization statute as authorizing RON. Delaware Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Black Knight, Inc., BlueNotary LLC, Cyberize It, Doc Magic, Epic River, NotaryCam, Inc., NotaryLive, Pactima’s RON, Pavaso, ProNotary, Qualia Labs, Inc., Secured Signing Inc., SIGNiX, Simply Secure Sign, Simplifile, Stavvy, Inc., USA Notary Services LLC. District of Columbia RON has been enacted but cannot yet be performed. Florida RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, but the following providers are listed on the Department of State's website (Note: Only providers that have a current self-certification on file with the Department as required by Florida law on the date noted above are listed.): Amrock, LLC/Clear Sign, Blend Signing Room, Caffeine Code Inc. - Paper Tracker, Cyberize It, LLC a/k/a Cyberizite.com , DocMagic, Inc., DocVerify, Expedite, IdenTrust, First American Vacation Ownership Signpost, JustNotarized Inc., NotaryHub.com by EverythingLegal, NOTARY.IO , Notary Geek, One Span North America Inc., OnlineNotary.us , Online Notary Center, Pavaso, ProNotary, Proof.com , Team K5 Permits & Consulting LLC, Simplifile, LC, Stavvy, Inc. Georgia RON not yet enacted into law. Hawaii RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. Idaho RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. Illinois Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Amrock, LLC, Black Knight Technologies LLC, Blend Labs, Inc., Blue Notary, LLC, Cyberize It LLC, Everything Legal LLC DBA Notary Hub, Kys-Tech, Inc., Notarycam, Inc., Onlinenotary, Inc., Pavaso (Guardian Consumer Services, Inc.), Secured Signing Inc., Signix Inc., Simplifile, LC, Stavvy, Inc. Indiana Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Proof (formerly Notarize), NotaryCam, Pavaso. Iowa Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Amrock Clear Sign, Blend Signing Room, Blue Notary, CyberizeIt, DocMagic Total eClose, DocuSign Notary, DocVerify, eNotaryLog, LenderClose, Notary @EpicRiver, Notary Hub, NotaryLive, OneSpan Notary, Pactima, PandaDoc, Pavaso, Proof (formerly Notarize), SIGNiX, Simplifile eSign Events, Stavvy Kansas Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Amrock LLC. Black Knight, Inc.. DocVerify. Blend Labs, Inc.. Bluenotary.us , Cyberize It, LLC, Digital Delivery, Inc., DocMagic, Inc., eNotaryLog LLC, eNotary On Call Inc., Epicriver.com/remoteonline-notary-live , Everything Legal, LLC DBA NotaryHub.com , Evolve Mortgage Services LLC, Guardian Consumer Services, Inc. (dba Pavaso, Inc.), Notarize Genie, Inc., Proof, Inc. (formerly Notarize, Inc.), NotaryCam, Inc., Notarylive, OneNotary, Inc, OneSpan North America Inc., Pactima Inc., PandaDoc, Inc Qualia Labs, Secured Signing Inc., SIGNiX Simplifile LC, Stavvy Inc. Kentucky Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: NotaryCam, Inc., DocVerify, Inc., Notarize Inc. (Proof), Guardian Consumer Services, dba PAVASO, INC., Nexsys Technologies LLC/Clear Sign, Digital Delivery, Inc., eNotaryLog, LLC, SIGNiX, Inc., E-Notary Seal, LLC, LiveNotary, LLC, DocuSign, Inc - Notary, Stavvy, Inc., Notary@EpicRiver, Cyberize It, LLC, Secured Signing, Blend Labs, Inc., Amrock, LLC/Nexsys Clear Sign, Simplifile LC, Blue Notary LLC, Qualia Labs, Inc., Online Notary Center, DocMagic, Inc., Pactima, Inc. Louisiana RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, but the following providers are listed on the Secretary of State’s website: CyberizeIT, Pavaso, Stavvy, DocVerify, PandaDoc, SIGNiX, Smart eNotay, eSign Events, Nexsys Clear Sign, OnlineNotary, Inc., DocMagic Total eClose, OneSpan Notary, NotaryCam, Inc., Pactima eNotary, BlueNotary. Maine Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved (the Secretary of State does not endorse any provider): Amrock, LLC, Black Knight Origination Technologies, LLC (DocVerify), Blue Notary LLC, Cyberize It, LLC, eNotaryLog, LLC, Evolve Mortgage Services, LLC, Guardian Consumer Services (Pavaso), Pactima Inc., Signix, Inc., Simplifile LC, Stavvy, Inc. Maryland Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved (the Secretary of State does not endorse any provider): Amrock, LLC, Blend Labs, Inc., Cyberize It, LLC, CYBERSYGN, Digital Delivery, Inc., DocMagic, Inc., DocuSign, E-Notary Seal, LLC, eNotaryLog, LLC, Epic River Healthcare, Inc., Expedite (formerly known as DocVerify), GoCertificates.com , Inc., KYS-Tech, Inc., NotaryCam, NotaryHub by EverythingLegal, NotaryLive, OneSpan North America, Inc., Online Notary Center, OnlineNotary Inc., Pactima, Inc., PandaDoc, Inc., Pavaso, POPi/o Mobile Video Cloud, LLC, Pro Notary, LLC, Proof (formerly Notarize), Qualia Labs, Inc., Secured Signing, Inc., SIGNiX, Simplifile, LC, Simply Sign LLC, Stavvy, Inc. Massachusetts RON has been enacted but cannot yet be performed. Michigan Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Amrock, BlueNotary, Cyberize It, LLC, Digital Delivery, Inc. DocMagic, Docusign, eNotaryLog, Expedite (formerly DocVerify), NotaryCam, Notaryhub, OneSpan North America, Inc., Pactima, Inc., PandaDocs, Pavaso, Proof (formerly Notarize), Qualia Labs, Inc., Secured Signing, Inc., Signix, Simplifile, SimplySecureSign, Smart eNotary (formerly Stavvy, Inc.). Minnesota RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, but the following providers are listed on the Secretary of State’s website: BlueNotary, DigitalDelivery Inc., DocuSign, DocVerify, ENotaryLog, Epic River, Nexsys, Notarize, Notarize Genie, NotaryCam, NotaryFix, NotaryLive, OneNotary, OnlineNotary.us , PandaDoc Notary, Pavaso, POPi/o, Pro Notary, Qualia Labs, Inc., Secured Signing, SIGNIX, Simplifile, Stavvy, Inc., World Wide Notary. Mississippi RON not yet enacted into law. Missouri Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: NotaryCam, eNotaryLog, LLC, Digital Delivery, Inc., OnlineNotary.us , Nexsys Technologies, Black Knight Origination Technologies, LLC (DocVerify), Guardian Consumer Services dba Pavaso, SIGNiX, Inc., Secured Signing Inc., Simply Sign, LLC, LiveNotary, LLC, NotaryLive.com , Stavvy, Inc., Epic River Healthcare, Inc., Notarize Inc. dba Proof.com , KYS-Tech Inc, Blend Labs, Inc., E-Notary Seal, LLC, Simplifile, LC, DocuSign, Inc., PandaDoc, Inc., BlueNotary, Qualia Labs, Inc., Everything Legal LLC, Pactima Inc., OneSpan North America, Inc., DocMagic Inc., Online Notary Center. Montana Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Amrock, Aven, Blend Labs, Inc., BlueNotary, Cyberize It!, Digital Delivery, DocuSign, Figure Technologies, Ice [Black Knight, DocVerify Simplifile] NotaryCam, NotaryLive, Notary@EpicRiver, OnlineNotary.us , Pactima, Pavaso, Proof, Qualia, KYS TECHNOLOGIES (SafeDocs), Secured Signing, SIGNiX, Stavvy. Nebraska Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Blend Labs, Inc., Blue Notary LLC, Cyberize It, LLC, Digital Delivery, Inc., DocVerify, Inc, E-Notary Seal, LLC, Eltropy, Inc., eNotaryLog, LLC, Epic River Healthcare, Inc., Everything Legal, LLC, Guardian Consumer Services, INC DBA PAVASO, Nexsys Technologies LLC, Online Notary Center, Inc., Pacitma Inc., Proof Platform, SIGNiX, Simplifile, Stavvy, Inc. Nevada Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Digital Delivery, Inc., Clear Sign, docVerify, Proof (formerly Notarize Inc.), eNotary Log, NotaryCam, Pavaso, Online Notary Center, Inc. Stavvy, First American Title Insurance Company, SYNRGO, LiveNotary, LLC, MetLife Legal Plans, Inc., Blend, SIGNiX, Inc., Figure Technologies, Inc., Cyberize It, LLC, Qualia Labs, Inc., Simplifile LC, DocMagic, Inc., E-Notary Seal, BlueNotary, Pactima, NotaryHub by Everything Legal, PandaDoc, Inc. New Hampshire RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. New Jersey RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. New Mexico Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Amrock, Black Knight Originations Technology/Product DocVerify, BlueNotary, Cyberize It, E-Notary Seal, NotaryCam, Notary Hub by Everything Legal, Notarylive.com , OneSpan, Online Notary Center, Online Notary, PandaDoc, Inc., Pavaso (Guardian Consumer Services, Inc), Qualia, SecuredSigning, SIGNiX, Secured Signing, Simplifile eSign, Stavvy. New York RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. North Carolina The Secretary of State has not yet approved remote electronic notarization platforms. North Dakota RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, but the following providers are listed on the Secretary of State’s website: BlueNotary, Cyberize It, LLC, docVerify, LenderClose, NotaryCam, OneNotary.US , OneSpan Notary, Online Notary Center, Inc., OnlineNotary.us , Pavaso, ProNotary LLC, Proof, Secured Signing Inc., SIGNiX, Stavvy, Inc. Ohio RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. Oklahoma RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. Oregon RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, but the following providers are listed on the Secretary of State’s website: BlueNotary, DocuSign, DocVerify, KYS Notary, NotariesOnDemand, NotaryCam, NotaryHub.com by Everything Legal, NotaryLive, OneSpan Notary, OneNotary.us , OnlineNotary.us , Online Notary Center, INC, PandaDoc, Pro Notary, Secured Signing, SIGNiX, SmarteNotary.com . Pennsylvania Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Blend Labs, Inc., Blue Notary, Cyberize It, LLC, Digital Delivery, Inc., e-Notary Seal, LLC, Expedite (formerly known as DocVerify), DocuSign, Inc., eNotaryLog, LLC, GoCertificates.com , Inc., ICE Mortgage Technology f/k/a Simplifile, KYS-Tech, Nexsys Clear Sign, Notary Hub, Notary@EpicRiver, NotaryCam, OneNotary.US , OnlineNotary.us , Pactima Inc., PandaDoc (formerly LiveNotary), Pavaso, POPi/o, Proof (formerly Notarize), Qualia Labs, Inc., Safedocs Inc., Secured Signing Inc., SIGNiX, SimplySecureSign, Stavvy, Inc. Rhode Island Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Expedite, Pavaso (Guardian Consumer Services) , NotaryCam, Inc., SIGNiX Inc., Digital Delivery, Inc., OnlineNotary.us , OneNotary.US , Simply Secure E-Sign, Notary @EpicRiver, Stavvy (Stavros Tehcnologies, Inc.), Cyberize It, LLC, Clear Sign (Amrock, LLC), DocMagic, OneSpan, Blue Notary, Pactima. South Carolina RON not yet enacted into law. South Dakota RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. Tennessee RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. Texas RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. Utah Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Blend Labs, Blue Notary, Cyberize, DocVerify, eNotaryLog, E-Notary Seal, First American SignPost, Nexsys, Notarize Genie, NotaryCam, NotaryHub by Everything Legal, Notary @Epic River, OnlineNotary.us , Online Notary Center, Pactima, PandaDoc, Pavaso, POPi/o, Qualia, SIGNiX, Secured Signing, Simplifile, SimplySecure Sign, Stavvy. Vermont RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, but they must register with the Secretary of State to do business in Vermont. A Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. Virginia RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. Washington RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law. West Virginia RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, but the following providers are listed on the Secretary of State’s website (the Secretary does not endorse any of the following platforms): DocuSign, DocVerify, World Wide Notary, Simply Secure Sign, Notarize, Epic River, OneNotary, eNotaryLog, Nationwide Title Clearing, Clear Sign, OnlineNotary.us , LiveNotary.com , Secured Signing, Stavvy.com , OneSpan North America Inc., Simplifile, Pavaso, POPi/o, NotaryLive. Wisconsin Notaries must only use RON platforms approved by the state. The following RON platforms are approved: Amrock, Blend, Blue Notary, Cyberizeit.com , Digital Delivery, DocMagic, DocuSign, DocVerify, eNotaryLog, Epic River Healthcare, Ink'd Signing (Simply Secure Sign), Notarize Genie Inc., Notary Hub by Everything Legal, NotaryCam, OneNotary.US , OneSpan, Online Notary Center, OnlineNotary.us , Pactima, PandaDoc, Pavaso, PoPi/o Mobile, Proof (formerly Notarize), Qualia, Secured Signing,SIGNiX, Simplifile, Stavvy. Wyoming RON platform providers are not required to undergo an approval process, so a Notary must ensure any technology platform they use complies with state law.

According to a report published in Biometric Update , a fake passport image was created by a Polish engineer using ChatGPT to test how effective Artificial Intelligence would be at creating forged documents. The report has put Notaries on alert — especially those perfoming Remote Online Notarizations (RON) — as it was the first known report of an individual using AI technology to create a convincing identity document. In recent months it has been widely reported that criminal organizations, and even rogue elements of nation states, have been able to forge identities at scale to commit massive fraud in banking, mortgage and credit industries. Now, that power has been harnessed by an individual. The current level of fraud powered by AI can cause big problems for Notaries trying to verify the identities of signers and prevent document fraud. While there are no known attempts, at least not yet, of fake IDs generated by Artificial Intelligence passed to Notaries, the best way for Notaries to protect themselves and the public is to always examine IDs carefully and be alert for signs that something is off. Key tips include:  Physically examine a signer’s ID during a notarization. Ask the signer to hand you the ID so you can look over the information and touch the identification document. Feeling an ID can help you spot suspicious tell-tales, such as peeling laminate, a raised section under the laminate that might indicate a photo has been pasted onto the ID, or if the ID is missing security features like holograms. Look for mistakes and discrepancies in the ID information. Use caution if the ID includes spelling mistakes, the photo of the signer doesn’t match the bearer’s appearance, or the description of the signer seems off. For example, if the ID says the signer was born in 1949 but the person before you is in their late twenties, something’s wrong. Ask the signer if they can tell you the info on the card. While holding the ID, ask the signer questions like, “When were you born?” or “What’s your address?” and check their answer against the info on the ID. If they can’t tell you basic information that’s on the card, that is a warning sign the signer may be up to no good. Check the ID against a reputable identification reference book. If you’re unfamiliar with the ID or want to check if it is missing any official features, an identification reference book such as the guides for checking IDs offered by the NNA can help you. These books include comprehensive information on the security elements found in IDs issued by U.S. states and other nations. Notaries who perform remote online notarizations should conduct due diligence on the platforms they are using or intend to use. They should ask a platform provider to explain the anti-fraud measures they have put in place to detect whether photos or scans of IDs used in credential analysis were falsified or created using Artificial Intelligence. For other tips on selecting a platform provider, visit our Knowledge Center page on Remote Online Notarization Platforms .

This article is part of our series focused on Notaries and how they can navigate the age of Artificial Intelligence. Notary fraud is no joke. You should not shrug off the possibility that a signer may try to deceive you to pull off document- or financial-related crimes. The consequences can be staggering for both customers and Notaries. What makes things more complicated is that the growing use of Artificial Intelligence means that criminals today have even more sophisticated tools to deceive Notaries and the public. Here are 3 essential facts Notaries need to know about synthetic identity and document crimes committed today and the best ways to prevent them. 1. Never take Notary fraud lightly. The consequences can be life-threatening. You might think you have nothing to worry about. You might think “I only notarize documents for my boss and co-workers at my office. What’s the chance of anything going wrong?” Others might think, “It doesn’t matter if I bend or skip a few rules when notarizing for friends or family — notarizing for them isn’t a big deal.” This is a dangerous attitude because that’s precisely what criminals want you to think. Relaxing your standards can have dire consequences not only for you, but your customers as well. Victims of Notary fraud in real-life cases have not only lost their finances — some have lost their lives: In 1998, New York socialite Irene Silverman disappeared. After her disappearance, a mother and son duo, Sante and Kenneth Kimes, made appointments with two Notaries. Sante Kimes posed as Silverman and tried to have fraudulent documents notarized to give her and her son ownership of Silverman’s property. One Notary was suspicious of Sante Kimes’ appearance and lack of proper ID and refused to participate, but another notarized blank affidavits for the couple. Sante and Kenneth Kimes were later arrested, convicted of murdering Silverman to steal her property, and sent to prison. In 2004, a retired couple, Thomas and Jackie Hawks, disappeared from Southern California after arranging the sale of their yacht to a former child actor, Skylar Deleon. Deleon and a local Notary claimed they had met with the couple to sign and notarize the documents, and Thomas and Jackie had left after accepting payment. However, the Notary later admitted that she had never met the couple, and agreed to Deleon’s demand to notarize falsified documents. Police learned that Deleon and two accomplices lured the couple out on the yacht during negotiations and drowned them, then used the forged documents to take possession of the yacht. Deleon is currently incarcerated on death row. In 2008, David Replogle and a group of co-conspirators murdered Palm Springs resident Cliff Lambert to steal and resell his home and assets. According to police, Replogle appeared before a Notary posing as Lambert, leaving a thumbprint in the Notary’s journal. Replogle later tried unsuccessfully to steal the journal, which led police to arrest him and his accomplices. 2. AI technology is making Notary crime harder to spot. To add to the challenges Notaries face, Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is making it more difficult to detect identity fraud. As discussed in our previous article on AI-generated fraud , AI can not only be used to steal a victim’s sensitive personal information. It can also create false “deepfake” images and voices to help criminals pose as other people. The Federal Trade Commission has proposed rules to prohibit the use of AI to generate images, video and text to harm consumers through impersonation. “Fraudsters are using AI tools to impersonate individuals with eerie precision and at a much wider scale. With voice cloning and other AI-driven scams on the rise, protecting Americans from impersonator fraud is more critical than ever,” Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina M. Khan said in February. “As the use of AI grows, lawmakers are concerned about its use for fraud. They are getting really nervous,” NNA President Tom Heymann said last year in his keynote speech at the 2023 NNA Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. “What artificial intelligence is capable of now is almost like magic.” 3. The simplest way to fight Notary fraud: Always follow the rules — no exceptions. The murder and fraud cases, combined with the growing threat of AI-assisted fraud, can seem pretty scary for the average Notary on the street. But it’s important to know that every Notary has a simple, highly effective defense against any kind of notarization fraud: Just follow the rules for proper notarization every time. Require the signer’s personal appearance , be sure to properly identify every signer , and record the details of each notarization carefully in your journal of notarial acts. In each of the real-life cases, the actions of Notaries played a crucial part. The culprits in the Silverman murder would not have been able to attempt the fraudulent theft of Silverman’s home without the aid of a Notary willing to notarize blank documents improperly. In the Deleon case, the perpetrator would not have been able to create the forged yacht sale documents without the Notary’s agreement to notarize the forged signatures without the victims present. The suspects in the Lambert killing were caught thanks in part to the signature and thumbprint left in the Notary’s journal entry. What about sophisticated fake images and IDs created by AI? Again, while most Notaries aren’t technology experts, they have something electronic security doesn’t have: Common sense and judgment. While AI may be able to perfectly copy a signer’s voice over a phone or video transmission, that still won’t work for getting past a traditional pen-and-paper notarization as long as the Notary correctly insists on the signer appearing physically in person. Creating a fake electronic persona might fool a Notary for an online notarization — but a would-be criminal may reconsider if they know the Notary is required to keep an audiovisual recording and a journal record of each online act. So while Notary fraud may seem daunting in today’s high-tech world, don’t be intimidated — just stick to doing your job the right way. If something seems strange, it’s always better to contact your state Notary office or the NNA Hotline to ask questions to ensure everything is aboveboard before proceeding. And if something seems suspicious, don’t be afraid to say “No.”

Remote online notarization (RON) has a long way to go before it is widely accepted. However, by following 5 smart marketing strategies, remote notarizations can be a valuable part of a self-employed Notary’s business offerings. In fact, since September 2020, I have received more than 10,000 requests for remote notarizations, which have added significantly to my income as a mobile Notary/Notary Signing Agent. This article discusses 5 of the marketing strategies I followed to generate that business: Create and maintain your Google Business Profile Create content on your website Explain the benefits of using a remote online Notary service Connect with military bases Connect with international firms By following these tips, you'll be sure to generate more interest in your RON business and attract new clients. 1. Create and maintain your Google Business Profile One of the best ways to market your RON business is to create a Google Business page. This will allow you to list your business in Google's search results, as well as provide potential customers with important information such as your contact details, business hours, and location. When listing your services be sure to include remote online notarizations and electronic notarizations. You want to ensure you are keyword-heavy throughout your listing. I receive about 3-5 inquiries a day for remote online notarizations from individuals around the world based on the way I optimized my Google Business Profile. 2. Create content on your website Another effective way to market your remote Notary business is to create content about RON – such as articles and videos – on your website. When you add content to your website be sure to have heavy-keyword usage again and also include links to reputable sources about electronic notarizations. Be sure that you make the process appear simple and to the reader’s benefit versus in-person notarizations. Try adding a quick 60-second video to your website that will explain the steps to complete a remote online notarization. Here is a link to a sample video I use on my website: E-Notary Advertisement 3. Explain the benefits of using a remote online Notary service When talking to local businesses and individuals, it's important to explain the benefits of using an electronic Notary service. This will help potential clients understand why they should use your services, and it may encourage them to switch from in-person Notary services. Educate your market on what RON is because the average person has absolutely no idea. It is your job to explain to them why it is in their best interest to use your remote online services because it is both time and cost-effective for them. 4. Connect with military bases Another great way to market your remote Notary business is to connect with military bases. There are many benefits to using RON services for military personnel, so this is a great way to reach out to potential customers. You can connect with military bases through online directories or by placing ads on websites that are popular with military personnel. By connecting with military bases, you'll be able to reach a wider audience and attract more clients to your RON business. If you live close to a base, you can connect with different departments that will tell you where to provide your information. You can also connect with someone in your area who is in the military or in online military family groups to discuss your services and make that warm connection for you. 5. Connect with international firms Finally, don't forget to connect with international firms that may be in need of remote Notary services. You can find international firms through online directories. And market to U.S. companies who do business internationally. You can find these by a simple Google search. A good place to start is with international real estate companies and attorneys. I also have consistent international clients who keep me pretty busy. But remember the time difference with international clients. Sometimes I am up at 1am notarizing documents.  By following these tips, you'll be sure to generate more interest in your remote Notary business and attract new clients. The sky is the limit with RON because you no longer have to meet in person with clients which will allow for more notarizations to be completed in one day.

Signing Agents must deal with a wide variety of different documents during a loan signing, and many of them come with particular or unusual instructions. In this article, we answer frequently asked questions about the USA PATRIOT Act Customer Identification Program Form. What is the purpose of the USA PATRIOT Act CIP Form? Signed into law in 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, the U.S. PATRIOT (Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) Act established measures to prevent, detect and prosecute persons engaging in money laundering and terrorism. In 2003, regulations to implement Section 326 of the Act required all financial institutions to establish a Customer Identification Program (CIP) for identifying all new account holders. This requires banks and other lending institutions to have a written procedure in place to establish the identity of customers, including home loan borrowers. Because Notary Signing Agents must already positively identify borrowers during a loan document signing to execute acknowledgments on a mortgage or deed of trust, Signing Agents are often asked to complete a USA PATRIOT Act CIP form to certify the NSA properly identified the borrower at the signing appointment. Completing this form helps financial institutions, including the nation’s mortgage lenders, to fulfill their PATRIOT ACT regulatory obligations. Are there other terms for a USA PATRIOT Act CIP Form? Yes. It may be included in a loan package under other names, such as “Verification of Customer Identity,” “PATRIOT Act Information Form,” or “PATRIOT Act Disclosure — Borrower Identification,” among others. What types of loan document packages include a USA PATRIOT Act CIP Form? These forms have been regularly included in various types of loan packages since 2003. Does a USA PATRIOT Act CIP form require notarization? No, it does not. However, because a Notary Signing Agent is present at the loan signing involving a lender’s loan, the NSA represents the lender in obtaining the information required in the form. What information is required to complete a typical PATRIOT Act form? Typically the Signing Agent will be asked to complete the following information on the form: The name of the borrower(s), along with other information such as the borrower’s date of birth, Social Security number or tax ID number. Information about any identification documents used to verify the borrower’s identity, such as the type of ID, the ID identification number, and the date of issuance and expiration for the ID. Some forms may also ask the NSA to include the state or organization that issued the ID.