IA Notary - Iowa Notary Remote Online Notarization Rules Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An Iowa notary wishes to begin performing Remote Online Notarizations (RONs). Which of the following is a mandatory prerequisite before they can offer this service?
- Pay an additional $100 registration fee to the Secretary of State.
- Complete an approved training course and register with the Iowa Secretary of State. (Correct answer)
- Have at least two years of experience as a traditional notary public.
- Purchase a separate errors and omissions insurance policy specifically for RONs.
Correct answer: Complete an approved training course and register with the Iowa Secretary of State.
According to the Iowa Secretary of State, a commissioned notary must complete a state-approved training course on remote notarization and register their intent to perform RONs with the Secretary of State's office before performing their first remote notarial act.
Question 2: A signer located in another state needs a document notarized for a property transaction in Iowa. The Iowa-commissioned remote notary is physically located in Des Moines. Which statement is true regarding this scenario?
- The notarization is prohibited because the signer is not physically in Iowa.
- The notary must travel to the signer's location to perform the notarization.
- The notarization is permissible as long as the notary is physically located within Iowa at the time of the notarial act. (Correct answer)
- The notarization can only be completed if the property is also located outside of Iowa.
Correct answer: The notarization is permissible as long as the notary is physically located within Iowa at the time of the notarial act.
Iowa law allows a commissioned remote notary to perform a remote online notarization for a remotely located individual, regardless of the signer's location, provided the notary is physically located within the borders of Iowa at the time of the notarial act.
Question 3: Which of the following technology platforms is explicitly forbidden for use in conducting a Remote Online Notarization in Iowa?
- A platform that provides knowledge-based authentication questions.
- A standard video-conferencing service like Zoom or Skype. (Correct answer)
- A system that allows for the electronic affixing of the notary's official stamp.
- Software that records and stores the audio-visual session of the notarial act.
Correct answer: A standard video-conferencing service like Zoom or Skype.
Iowa Code chapter 9B and administrative rules require the use of specific RON software that includes features like identity-proofing, e-signing capabilities, and secure storage of the notarial act recording. General video-conferencing platforms like Skype, Zoom, or Facebook are not designed for this purpose and do not meet these requirements.
Question 4: During a RON session, a notary in Iowa must verify the identity of a remotely located individual they do not personally know. Which of the following is an acceptable method of identification under Iowa law?
- Verbal confirmation of the signer's date of birth and social security number.
- Presentation of a student ID card from a major university.
- An oath or affirmation of a credible witness who personally knows the signer and appears before the notary.
- Remote presentation of a government-issued ID, credential analysis, and successful completion of knowledge-based authentication (KBA). (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Remote presentation of a government-issued ID, credential analysis, and successful completion of knowledge-based authentication (KBA).
Iowa's rules for remote notarization outline a multi-factor identity verification process. This includes the remote presentation of a government-issued identification credential, analysis of that credential for authenticity, and a process where the signer must correctly answer a series of personal questions, known as knowledge-based authentication.
Question 5: An Iowa-commissioned remote notary is conducting a RON. According to Iowa law, what part of the interaction must be recorded and stored?
- Only the audio portion of the notarial act.
- The entire audio-visual session, including the identity verification process.
- A recording of the audio-visual conference of the notarial act itself. (Correct answer)
- No recording is required if the notary keeps a detailed paper journal entry.
Correct answer: A recording of the audio-visual conference of the notarial act itself.
Iowa law mandates that the notary create an audio-visual recording of the performance of the notarial act. This recording must be securely stored by the notary or a designated third party. The recording serves as evidence that the notarial act was performed correctly.
Question 6: A notary public in Iowa has a standard commission. To be authorized to perform remote online notarizations, they must:
- Automatically gain the ability upon their commission renewal.
- Pass a separate, state-administered exam specifically on remote notarization.
- File an application with the Secretary of State and identify the approved technology they will use. (Correct answer)
- Work exclusively for a title company or law firm.
Correct answer: File an application with the Secretary of State and identify the approved technology they will use.
Holding a standard notary commission is the first step, but it does not automatically grant the ability to perform RONs. A notary must submit a specific application or notification to the Iowa Secretary of State, indicating their intent to perform remote notarizations and identifying the state-approved technology provider they will use.
IA Notary - Iowa Notary Remote Online Notarization Rules Questions and Answers
An Iowa notary wishes to begin performing Remote Online Notarizations (RONs).
Which of the following is a mandatory prerequisite before they can offer this service?