AL Notary Electronic and Remote Online Notarization 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When did Alabama authorize remote online notarization (RON) for all notaries?
- Alabama enacted permanent RON legislation effective January 1, 2021 (Correct answer)
- Alabama has not yet authorized remote online notarization
- RON has been authorized in Alabama since 2015
- Alabama only allows temporary RON during declared emergencies
Correct answer: Alabama enacted permanent RON legislation effective January 1, 2021
Alabama enacted comprehensive remote online notarization legislation that became effective January 1, 2021, allowing all commissioned notaries to perform RON.
Question 2: To perform remote online notarization in Alabama, a notary must:
- Use a state-approved RON platform and complete required training (Correct answer)
- Simply own a webcam and proceed without additional requirements
- Obtain a separate RON commission from the Secretary of State
- Be a licensed attorney or title professional
Correct answer: Use a state-approved RON platform and complete required training
Alabama RON law requires notaries to use an approved technology platform and meet training requirements before performing remote notarizations.
Question 3: How does an Alabama remote online notary verify the identity of a signer they cannot meet in person?
- Through credential analysis, knowledge-based authentication (KBA), or identity proofing technologies (Correct answer)
- By accepting a photo of the signer's ID sent via email
- By relying solely on the signer's verbal confirmation of identity
- By requiring the signer's attorney to vouch for their identity
Correct answer: Through credential analysis, knowledge-based authentication (KBA), or identity proofing technologies
Alabama RON requires technology-based identity verification such as KBA questions, credential analysis, or biometric verification through the approved platform.
Question 4: Under Alabama's RON law, where must the notary be physically located when performing a remote online notarization?
- Within the state of Alabama (Correct answer)
- Anywhere in the United States
- Only in the county where they are commissioned
- The notary's physical location is irrelevant under RON law
Correct answer: Within the state of Alabama
Alabama's RON law requires the notary to be physically located within Alabama at the time the remote notarization is performed.
Question 5: Where may the signer be located when a document is notarized by an Alabama remote online notary?
- Anywhere in the world, subject to the document's intended jurisdiction requirements (Correct answer)
- Only within the state of Alabama
- Only within the United States
- Only in states that have reciprocal RON agreements with Alabama
Correct answer: Anywhere in the world, subject to the document's intended jurisdiction requirements
Alabama RON law allows the signer to be located anywhere in the world; however, the document's receiving jurisdiction may have additional requirements.
Question 6: What is the maximum fee an Alabama notary may charge for a remote online notarial act?
- $25 per notarial act (Correct answer)
- $5 per notarial act, the same as traditional notarizations
- $50 per session regardless of the number of acts
- $10 per notarial act
Correct answer: $25 per notarial act
Alabama's RON statute allows a higher fee cap of $25 per electronic notarial act to reflect the additional technology costs.
AL Notary Electronic and Remote Online Notarization 1
When did Alabama authorize remote online notarization (RON) for all notaries?