NJ Notary Remote and Electronic Notarization 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under New Jersey's RON (Remote Online Notarization) law, what technology platform must be used for remote notarization?
- Any standard video conferencing platform such as Zoom or FaceTime
- A RON platform that meets NJ's approved technology standards (Correct answer)
- Only the platform provided by the State Treasurer's office
- Any platform chosen by the signer
Correct answer: A RON platform that meets NJ's approved technology standards
New Jersey requires RON to be conducted using platforms that meet NJ's approved technology standards for identity verification, audio-visual communication, and record-keeping.
New Jersey's RON regulations require notaries to use technology platforms that comply with the state's standards. These standards cover: real-time two-way audio-visual communication, identity proofing through credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA), electronic journal and audio-visual recording capabilities, and security requirements. Using a standard consumer video conferencing app (Zoom, FaceTime) that does not include the required identity verification technology does not satisfy NJ's RON requirements.
Question 2: Under New Jersey's remote notarization law, when a signer is located outside of New Jersey during an RON session, the notarization is:
- Invalid because the signer must be physically in New Jersey
- Valid if the notary is located in NJ at the time of the act (Correct answer)
- Invalid because cross-state RON is prohibited in NJ
- Valid only if the signer's state also authorizes RON
Correct answer: Valid if the notary is located in NJ at the time of the act
For New Jersey RON, the notary must be physically located in New Jersey at the time of the act. The signer may be located anywhere, even outside NJ or the US.
Under New Jersey RON law, a notarial act performed via RON is deemed to take place at the location of the notary, not the signer. As long as the New Jersey notary is physically in New Jersey at the time of the RON session, the notarial act is valid under NJ law regardless of where the signer is located — whether in another state, another country, or even outside the US. This jurisdictional rule facilitates cross-border transactions.
Question 3: Which identity verification method is required for Remote Online Notarization in New Jersey when the notary does not personally know the signer?
- Verbal confirmation of the signer's name and date of birth only
- Credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA) (Correct answer)
- A notarized letter of introduction from a credible witness
- Two forms of non-photo government ID
Correct answer: Credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
New Jersey RON requires credential analysis (examination of the signer's ID) and knowledge-based authentication (KBA questions) to verify identity when the notary does not personally know the signer.
New Jersey's RON regulations require two identity verification methods when the notary does not personally know the signer: (1) Credential analysis — the RON platform technology analyzes the signer's government-issued photo ID for authenticity; and (2) Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) — the signer answers dynamic questions based on their personal history that only they should know. Both components must be successfully completed before the notarial act can proceed.
Question 4: In New Jersey, which of the following is a key advantage of Remote Online Notarization (RON) over traditional in-person notarization?
- RON eliminates all identity verification requirements
- RON allows notarization when the signer cannot physically travel to the notary (Correct answer)
- RON allows lower fees than the traditional maximum
- RON documents do not require a notarial seal
Correct answer: RON allows notarization when the signer cannot physically travel to the notary
RON allows signers who cannot physically travel to appear before a notary via audio-visual technology, making notarial services accessible to those with mobility, distance, or health limitations.
The primary advantage of Remote Online Notarization is enabling signers who are unable to appear in person — due to distance, physical limitations, illness, travel constraints, or other reasons — to still access notarial services. RON maintains rigorous identity verification requirements (actually more extensive than traditional in-person methods). RON fees may differ from traditional fees but are not automatically lower. RON documents still require an electronic notarial seal/certificate.
Question 5: A New Jersey notary performing RON must retain the audio-visual recording of the session for:
- 30 days
- 1 year
- 5 years
- 10 years (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 10 years
New Jersey RON regulations require audio-visual recordings of remote notarization sessions to be retained for a minimum of 10 years.
Under New Jersey's RON regulations, the notary must retain the audio-visual recording of each remote notarization session for at least 10 years. This retention period matches the general guidance for notarial journal records and ensures documentation is available to resolve disputes about whether proper procedures were followed. The recordings must be stored securely and protected from unauthorized access.
Question 6: What is 'knowledge-based authentication' (KBA) as used in New Jersey's Remote Online Notarization process?
- The notary asking the signer to name the document they are signing
- Dynamic questions derived from the signer's personal records that only the signer should know (Correct answer)
- The signer providing their memorized PIN from a prior notarization
- The signer reciting their home address and phone number
Correct answer: Dynamic questions derived from the signer's personal records that only the signer should know
KBA involves dynamically generated questions based on the signer's personal history — such as previous addresses, loan history, or other personal data — that only the true identity holder should be able to answer.
Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) in New Jersey RON involves a set of dynamic, randomly selected questions generated from the signer's personal records — such as previous addresses, vehicle history, credit history, or other data from public and private databases. The questions are designed so only the actual person whose identity is claimed should be able to answer them correctly. KBA is used alongside credential analysis to form a robust two-factor identity verification process for remote notarizations.
NJ Notary Remote and Electronic Notarization 2
Under New Jersey's RON (Remote Online Notarization) law, what technology platform must be used for remote notarization?