FL Notary Remote Online Notarization (RON) 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When did Florida authorize Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
- January 1, 2015
- January 1, 2020 (Correct answer)
- July 1, 2017
- March 1, 2022
Correct answer: January 1, 2020
Florida's RON law (F.S. 117.021) took effect on January 1, 2020, making Florida one of the first states with a fully operational RON framework.
Question 2: What technology must a Florida RON notary use to communicate with the signer?
- Telephone only
- Email correspondence
- Two-way audio-visual communication in real time (Correct answer)
- Encrypted text messaging
Correct answer: Two-way audio-visual communication in real time
Florida RON requires the notary and signer to communicate via real-time two-way audio-visual technology so the notary can observe the signer throughout the notarial act.
Question 3: Which of the following is a required identity verification method specific to Florida's RON process?
- In-person presentation of a passport
- Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) or credential analysis (Correct answer)
- A notarized letter from the signer's bank
- Biometric fingerprinting
Correct answer: Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) or credential analysis
Florida's RON framework requires identity proofing through credential analysis and/or knowledge-based authentication (KBA) to verify the remote signer's identity.
Question 4: Under Florida's RON law, where may the signer be physically located during a remote online notarization?
- Only within the state of Florida
- Anywhere in the United States
- Anywhere in the world (Correct answer)
- Only in the continental United States
Correct answer: Anywhere in the world
Florida's RON statute permits the signer to be located anywhere in the world during the notarial act, as long as all legal requirements are met.
Question 5: What must a Florida RON notary retain as a record of each remote online notarization?
- A printed copy of the document mailed to the Department of State
- An audio-visual recording and electronic journal entry of the notarial act (Correct answer)
- A sworn affidavit from the signer confirming the act
- A notarized backup copy held by the RON platform
Correct answer: An audio-visual recording and electronic journal entry of the notarial act
Florida requires RON notaries to maintain an electronic journal entry and an audio-visual recording of each remote notarial act for at least 10 years.
Question 6: What must a Florida notary do before performing RON for the first time?
- Pass an additional state exam specific to RON
- Register with the Florida Department of State as a RON notary (Correct answer)
- Obtain a separate RON commission from the Governor
- Complete 12 additional hours of continuing education
Correct answer: Register with the Florida Department of State as a RON notary
Florida notaries must register with the Department of State before performing RON and must use a state-approved RON technology platform.
FL Notary Remote Online Notarization (RON) 1
When did Florida authorize Remote Online Notarization (RON)?