Notary Public Exam Remote Online Notarization (RON) 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym RON stand for in the context of modern notarization?
- Registered Official Notarization
- Remote Online Notarization (Correct answer)
- Recorded Oversight Notarization
- Remote Offline Notarization
Correct answer: Remote Online Notarization
RON stands for Remote Online Notarization, allowing notaries and signers to complete notarizations via secure audio-visual communication technology without being in the same physical location.
Question 2: In a Remote Online Notarization session, which two-part identity verification process is typically required to authenticate the signer?
- Email confirmation and password entry
- Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) and credential analysis (Correct answer)
- Fingerprinting and notary witness attestation
- Social Security verification and credit history check
Correct answer: Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) and credential analysis
RON platforms use knowledge-based authentication (KBA), which asks personal history questions, combined with credential analysis of the signer's government-issued ID to verify identity remotely.
Question 3: What must a notary retain after completing a Remote Online Notarization session?
- Only the signed and notarized documents
- An audio-visual recording of the session and an electronic journal entry (Correct answer)
- A paper journal entry and the signer's original ID
- A written transcript of the conversation only
Correct answer: An audio-visual recording of the session and an electronic journal entry
Most state RON laws require notaries to retain an audio-visual recording of each RON session along with an electronic journal entry documenting the notarization.
Question 4: What additional step is typically required before a commissioned notary may legally perform Remote Online Notarizations in most states?
- No additional steps are needed beyond a standard notary commission
- Completion of RON-specific training and registration of an approved platform with the state (Correct answer)
- Obtaining a federal license from the Department of Justice
- Joining a national notary association and paying a membership fee
Correct answer: Completion of RON-specific training and registration of an approved platform with the state
Most states require notaries who wish to perform RON to complete additional training and register with the state using a state-approved RON platform before conducting remote notarizations.
Question 5: Under RON laws, where is the notarization legally considered to have taken place?
- Where the signer is physically located
- Where the document will ultimately be filed or used
- Where the notary is physically located (Correct answer)
- In the state where the RON platform company is headquartered
Correct answer: Where the notary is physically located
RON notarizations are legally considered to take place where the notary is physically located, meaning the notary must hold a valid commission in that state.
Question 6: What type of notarial certificate language is used in a RON session to distinguish it from an in-person notarization?
- The exact same certificate language as used for in-person notarizations
- Certificate language indicating the signer appeared remotely by means of communication technology (Correct answer)
- A federal e-notarization certificate issued by the government
- A handwritten paper certificate with a wet ink signature
Correct answer: Certificate language indicating the signer appeared remotely by means of communication technology
RON certificates must include language specifying that the principal appeared remotely via communication technology, clearly distinguishing the notarization from an in-person act.
Question 7: If a signer fails the knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions during a RON session, what must the notary do?
- Proceed if an additional witness is present on the call
- Continue if the notary personally recognizes the signer from a prior meeting
- Refuse to complete the notarization and end the session (Correct answer)
- Allow the signer to retry if they can present a passport
Correct answer: Refuse to complete the notarization and end the session
If a signer fails KBA identity verification, the notary cannot proceed with the RON session and must refuse to notarize the document, as identity has not been adequately established.
Notary Public Exam Remote Online Notarization (RON) 1
What does the acronym RON stand for in the context of modern notarization?