Notarization is among the essential steps in any transaction. The process involves identity verification, establishing awareness of the document’s contents, and the willingness of the parties to sign. The notary’s stamp certifies the documents’ authenticity. Notarization discourages forgery and identity fraud and also provides legal protection. Such contributions facilitate smooth transactions, emphasizing its importance as you strive to protect your undertakings.
Notarization has come a long way, from the traditional in-office to remote processing. With cutting-edge remote online notarization tech solutions, much like most processes, you can achieve a lot from the comfort and convenience of your couch, office, and virtually anywhere with an internet connection. As you navigate the notarization arena, you will encounter electronic, remote and mobile notaries. This can be challenging, especially if you aren’t well-versed in the process. Which is the best option, and why is it ideal in your situation?
Let’s look at the primary differences to help supercharge your notarization quests.
Mobile notary
Traditionally, the notary public is found in set offices and works on a schedule. This means you need to set an appointment and visit their offices for notarization. With a mobile notary, the situation is reversed. Instead of going to their offices, the notary comes to you. You still have to schedule an appointment, but the approach is more flexible and convenient. Since they don’t operate from an office, their hours are more accommodating. This provides favorable scheduling flexibility, especially given your demanding routine.
As you go the mobile notary way, a significant checkpoint is what it will cost. The convenience of the notary coming to you comes at an extra charge. It is logical; after all, they incur travel-related costs to get to your preferred location. Nonetheless, it is a worthy investment. The in-person engagement and familiar territory translate to a better experience. This is more so if you are new to notarization. It means that you may not know the documents to bring, among other concerns.
Remote notary
Remote online notary (RON) is gaining traction given its many advantages. As the name suggests, the process takes place remotely. This means that the notary and the signer don’t have to be in the same room, state or continent. The process uses virtual live meetings through audio-visual technology. Virtual meetings are the modern norms. This extends beyond face-time with friends and family and business meetings. Today, transactions are closed through virtual engagements, which RON further supercharges.
RON uses state-of-the-art remote online notarization software. While not in the same room, the process thoroughly vets the parties to ensure they are who they claim to be. With thorough credential analysis and identity proofing, RON improves the security levels and lessens fraud and forgery chances. The approach has seen a significant boost due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. We are encouraged to avoid contact to limit the spread during this time of the pandemic. This has seen remote activities hitting the roof, and notarization is no exception. RON offers advantages such as;
- Enhanced security
- Flexibility
- Time and money-saving
- Improved user experience, to mention a few
With the growing remote transactions, RON won’t take a step back even after the Covid-19 restrictions are scrapped. Many states continue to realize the approach’s contributions. With the ever-improving tech architecture, it is a practical solution that is long overdue.
Electronic notary
Also referred to as E-Notary, this is more of a traditional notarization, only that instead of paper, it uses electronic documents. The signer and the notary must be in the same room during the process. However, paper and rubber stamp seals are taken out of the equation. The notary uses computer-readable electronic data to place the required details on the document.
The process maintains the traditional in-person notarization but with an extra layer of security. Since the data is in electronic form, any alterations can easily be spotted. Electronic notary’s popularity in modern undertakings is evident. This is as more users embrace paperless transactions. You will enjoy accessible and shareable documents, enhancing productivity. Moreover, the approach saves money since costs like paper, ink and storage space are eliminated.
RON and electronic notary are almost used interchangeably. Nonetheless, they aren’t the same. While both use similar technology in that they rely on electronic documents, their approach differs. Parties must be physically present for e-notary, which is unnecessary with the RON approach.
Each notarization approach has its benefits. As you choose the most suitable solution, the bottom line is considering your situation. For instance, if you are in a hurry, such as a last-minute rush to close a deal, RON is ideal. With a notary operating on a 24/7 basis, you can manage the process even during odd hours. This helps you furnish the needs and stay on track. Regardless of the approach, the bottom line is ensuring that your rights are protected as you engage in certain transactions.
