MD Notary Remote Online Notarization 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which legislation authorized Remote Online Notarization in Maryland?
- House Bill 12 / Senate Bill 678 (Correct answer)
- House Bill 100 / Senate Bill 200
- Maryland Electronic Notarization Act of 2015
- Maryland Uniform Electronic Transactions Act of 2018
Correct answer: House Bill 12 / Senate Bill 678
Maryland authorized RON through House Bill 12 and Senate Bill 678, which took effect October 1, 2020.
Question 2: When did Maryland's Remote Online Notarization law take effect?
- January 1, 2020
- October 1, 2020 (Correct answer)
- July 1, 2021
- March 15, 2020
Correct answer: October 1, 2020
Maryland's RON law became effective October 1, 2020, permitting notaries to use audio-visual communication technology for notarial acts.
Question 3: During a Remote Online Notarization, where must the Maryland notary be physically located?
- Anywhere in the United States
- In the same state as the signer
- In Maryland (Correct answer)
- At a state-registered RON facility
Correct answer: In Maryland
The Maryland notary must be physically located in Maryland during a RON, even though the signer may be anywhere.
Question 4: What identity verification methods are required for Remote Online Notarization in Maryland?
- Government-issued ID card and personal interview only
- Credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA) (Correct answer)
- Social Security number verification and biometric scan
- Notary's personal knowledge of the signer
Correct answer: Credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
Maryland requires both credential analysis (examining the signer's ID for authenticity) and knowledge-based authentication (KBA) for RON identity verification.
Question 5: What must be stated in the electronic notarial certificate for a Remote Online Notarization in Maryland?
- The signer's home address and telephone number
- That the notarial act was performed using communication technology (Correct answer)
- The name of the RON platform provider used
- The signer's government-issued ID number
Correct answer: That the notarial act was performed using communication technology
Maryland law requires the electronic notarial certificate to state that the act was performed using communication technology, distinguishing it from an in-person notarization.
Question 6: What type of technology must be used to perform a Remote Online Notarization in Maryland?
- Telephone audio connection combined with document fax
- Real-time audio-visual communication technology (Correct answer)
- Encrypted email with attached digital signature
- Pre-recorded video without a live interaction requirement
Correct answer: Real-time audio-visual communication technology
RON in Maryland requires real-time audio-visual communication technology that allows the notary and signer to simultaneously see and hear each other.
Question 7: Can a signer be located outside of Maryland during a Remote Online Notarization performed by a Maryland notary?
- No, both parties must be physically in Maryland
- Yes, the signer may be located anywhere (Correct answer)
- Only if the signer is in a neighboring state
- Only if the signer is a Maryland resident
Correct answer: Yes, the signer may be located anywhere
During a RON the Maryland notary must be in Maryland, but the signer may be located anywhere — in another state or even another country.
MD Notary Remote Online Notarization 1
Which legislation authorized Remote Online Notarization in Maryland?