eNotary
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{{multiple issues|{{Globalize|article|USA|2name=the United States|date=November 2013}}
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An eNotary is a Notary Public who notarizes documents electronically.{{cite book|last1=Piombino|first1=Alfred E.|title=Notary Public Handbook: Principles, Practices & Cases, National Edition|date=2011|publisher=East Coast Publishing|isbn=978-0-9445606-9-3|edition=First}} One of the methods employed by eNotaries is the use of a digital signature and digital notary seal to notarize digital documents and validate with a digital certificate. Also known as remote online notarization (RON), electronic notarization is a process whereby a notary affixes an electronic signature and notary seal using a secure Public key to an electronic document (such as a PDF or Word document). Once affixed to the electronic document, the document is rendered tamper evident such that unauthorized attempts to alter the document will be evident to relying parties.{{cite web | url=https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/official-documents/notary-commissions/enotary-faq/| title= Virginia e-notary FAQ |accessdate=2012-08-07 }} The e-notary will use cryptography and Public key infrastructure to create, manage, distribute, use, store, and revoke the digital certificate. E-Notary will improve the overall security of the closing process with improved customer file tracking and knowledge-based identification authentication, helping to reduce the frequency of errors or fraud.{{cite web | url=https://bluenotary.us/remote-online-notarization-journal-what-you-need-to-know/| title= Remote Online Notarization Journal: What you need to know | date= 24 June 2024 |accessdate=2024-06-24 }} The Electronic Notary also must keep an electronic register of each act performed.
In most cases, electronic notarizations does not mean that the notary can perform the electronic notarizations remotely as most states still require that the participants and the notary must all be physically present at the time of signing. There are also significant benefits to having the notarizations done electronically such as cost savings, superior security, authenticity, audit trails, and document integrity, which are things that are not available to paper based notarizations.
Jurisdiction
=United States=
Currently, laws regarding eNotarizations vary by jurisdiction"Notaries Public", Montgomery County, Alabama Probate Judge: [http://www.mc-ala.org/Home/Elected%20Officials/Probate%20Judge/probate_notaries.html], retrieved on 20 January 2009. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713101603/http://www.mc-ala.org/Home/Elected%20Officials/Probate%20Judge/probate_notaries.html|date=July 13, 2010}} and are permitted in, at least, Arizona,{{cite web |url=http://www.azsos.gov/pa/E-notaryIndex.htm |title=Electronic Notary Statute |publisher=Azsos.gov |accessdate=2013-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920225026/http://azsos.gov/pa/E-notaryIndex.htm |archive-date=2013-09-20 |url-status=dead }} California,Notary Public & Special Filings Section. (2011). Notary Public Handbook. Sacramento, CA: Secretary of State. p. 43. Colorado, Delaware,{{cite web|url=https://notaryforms.delaware.gov/ |title=eNotary |publisher=Notaryforms.delaware.gov |date=2009-02-05 |accessdate=2013-11-27}} Florida,{{cite web|url=http://notaries.dos.state.fl.us/education/elecnot.html |title=Electronic Transaction - - Notary Education - Florida Department of State |date=2000-07-01 |accessdate=2013-11-27}} Georgia,{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20092010/HB/126 |title=GA House Bill 126 - 2009 |date=2009-05-09 |accessdate=2018-09-05}} Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, {{cite web|url=https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/KRS/423/380 |title=Kentucky Revised Statutes 423.380 | access-date=July 1, 2024}} Michigan,[Michigan] [http://efile.mpsc.state.mi.us/efile/pdfs/pa305of2000.pdf "Uniform Electronic Transactions Act"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090920103908/http://efile.mpsc.state.mi.us/efile/pdfs/pa305of2000.pdf |date=2009-09-20 }} (2000). Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Minnesota[https://notary.sos.state.mn.us/ Minnesota Secretary of State - Notary Online] New Mexico, North Carolina,{{cite web|url=http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/enotary/thepage.aspx |title=North Carolina Secretary of State's Office |publisher=Secretary of State of North Carolina |date=2011-04-01 |accessdate=2013-11-27}} Oregon,http://sos.oregon.gov/business/Documents/notary-guide/notary-guide.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} Pennsylvania,{{cite web|url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/electronic_notarization/12640 |title=Pennsylvania Department of State|publisher=pa.gov |date= |accessdate=2016-07-06}} Texas,{{Cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/faqs2300.shtml|title=Frequently Asked Questions for Notaries Public|website=www.sos.state.tx.us}} Utah, Wisconsin, and Virginia.{{cite web|url=http://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/Notary/eNotary.cfm |title=VA Secretary of the Commonwealth: Notary |publisher=Commonwealth.virginia.gov |date= |accessdate=2013-11-27}}
=Austria=
In Austria, remote online notarization is regulated under § 69b of the Notariatsordnung (Notarial Code). The law permits the execution of notarial acts electronically, provided that adequate technical means are available.{{cite web |url=https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10001677&FassungVom=2025-03-09 |title=Notariatsordnung § 69b |website=Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes |publisher=Government of Austria |access-date=9 March 2025}} The law mandates that:
- The identity of parties who are not physically present must be verified using a secure electronic process, either via a government-issued photo ID in a video-assisted electronic procedure or through a legally prescribed method that provides equivalent identification.
- The notarial act must comply with the regulations for electronically created notarial deeds, with modifications as specified in the law.
=Germany=
Germany regulates electronic notarization through § 33 of the Bundesnotarordnung (BNotO).{{cite web |url=https://www.bmj.de/DE/themen/wege_zum_recht/rechtsanwaelte_notare/berufsrecht/berufsrecht_notare.html |title=Berufsrecht Notarinnen und Notare |website=Federal Ministry of Justice of Germany |access-date=9 March 2025}}
- Notaries must use a qualified electronic signature issued by a qualified trust service provider.
- The signature must be certified in a way that verifies the notary's office location and jurisdiction.
- The electronic signing process must use a secure cryptographic device that prevents unauthorized access.
- The notary is prohibited from sharing their cryptographic keys or authentication credentials with any third party.
Remote eNotary
On July 1, 2012, Virginia became the first state to authorize a signer to be in a remote location and have a document notarized electronically by an e-notary using audio-visual conference technology (webcam), by passing the bills SB 827 and HB 2318.{{cite web |title=Virginia Law |url=http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0834 |accessdate=2012-08-07}}
In Virginia the case of an electronic notarization, "satisfactory evidence of identity" may be based on video and audio conference technology, in accordance with the standards for electronic video and audio communications set out in subdivisions B 1, B 2, and B 3,{{cite web | url=http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?000+cod+19.2-3.1 | title=Virginia Law |accessdate=2012-08-07 }} that permits the notary to communicate with and identify the principal at the time of the notarial act, provided that such identification is confirmed by (a) personal knowledge, (b) an antecedent in-person identity proofing process in accordance with the specifications of the Federal Bridge Certification Authority, or (c) a valid digital certificate accessed by biometric data or by use of an interoperable personal identity verification card that is designed, issued, and managed in accordance with the specifications published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and in Federal Information Processing Standards.
Legality
The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) affirms the role of the Secretary of State or other state notary commissioning entity as the sole authority to establish standards enabling electronic notarizations that will protect signature credibility, avoid identity fraud and provide accountability to the public in order to promote secure electronic commerce.{{cite web | url=http://www.nass.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=907&Itemid= | title=NASS Resolution Affirming the Role of the Secretary of State or Other State Notary Commissioning Entity as Sole Authority to Establish Standards Enabling Electronic Notarization | accessdate=2010-07-20 }}