NNA Remote Online Notarization & Digital Practices — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
- A process where the notary and signer are in different locations and communicate via audio-video technology (Correct answer)
- A notarization performed at a remote rural office
- An automated system that notarizes documents without human involvement
- A notarization performed by mail without any visual contact
Correct answer: A process where the notary and signer are in different locations and communicate via audio-video technology
RON allows notaries to perform notarial acts using secure audio-video communication technology, with the signer and notary in separate physical locations, using identity verification and digital signatures.
Question 2: Which identity verification method is commonly required for Remote Online Notarization?
- Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions plus credential analysis of a government-issued ID (Correct answer)
- A simple email confirmation
- A verbal statement of the signer's name
- A notarized copy of the signer's birth certificate
Correct answer: Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions plus credential analysis of a government-issued ID
RON platforms typically require multi-factor identity verification including credential analysis (scanning a valid government ID) and knowledge-based authentication (questions from the signer's personal history).
Question 3: How long must a notary retain the audio-video recording of a Remote Online Notarization session?
- The retention period varies by state, typically 5 to 10 years (Correct answer)
- Recordings are not required to be retained
- 24 hours after the session
- 30 days after the session
Correct answer: The retention period varies by state, typically 5 to 10 years
State laws require RON recordings to be retained for varying periods, commonly 5 to 10 years. These recordings serve as evidence of the notarization process and identity verification.
Question 4: What type of electronic signature does a notary typically use in a RON transaction?
- A digital certificate-based signature with tamper-evident technology (Correct answer)
- A scanned image of their handwritten signature
- A typed name at the bottom of the document
- A verbal acknowledgment recorded on audio
Correct answer: A digital certificate-based signature with tamper-evident technology
Notaries in RON transactions use digital certificate-based signatures that include tamper-evident technology, ensuring the document has not been altered after signing and the signature can be verified.
Question 5: What is the role of a RON technology platform provider?
- To provide the secure audio-video technology, identity verification tools, and electronic document management system (Correct answer)
- To serve as a backup notary if the primary notary is unavailable
- To provide legal advice to signers during the notarization
- To mail physical copies of notarized documents to all parties
Correct answer: To provide the secure audio-video technology, identity verification tools, and electronic document management system
RON platform providers supply the technology infrastructure including secure video conferencing, identity proofing tools, electronic signature capabilities, and tamper-evident document storage.
Question 6: Can a notary perform RON for a signer located in a different state?
- It depends on the laws of the notary's commissioning state and the state where the document will be recorded (Correct answer)
- Yes, RON has no geographic restrictions
- No, notary acts can only be performed within the notary's home state
- Only if both states use the same RON platform
Correct answer: It depends on the laws of the notary's commissioning state and the state where the document will be recorded
RON jurisdiction rules vary by state. Some states allow their commissioned notaries to notarize for signers anywhere, while document recording jurisdictions may have their own acceptance rules.
NNA Remote Online Notarization & Digital Practices
What is Remote Online Notarization (RON)?