The world is getting more digital, whether for better or worse. It will result in more convenience, but it will also require decoding new vocabulary and technological concepts. The traditional notarial ritual, which used ink and paper, is also being replaced by digital technology. For whatever form of notarization is required, time-pressed consumers now have a variety of alternatives for having their field trip slips, real estate closing packages, and other papers stamped by a notary public.
You may have come across many distinct terminologies if you are in the market for having a document notarized, so keep reading! These are the terms that you may have come across: Mobile Notary, Electronic Notary or E-Notary, and remote online notarization, among others. There are many notaries, and you may be thinking, “What is the difference between a mobile notary, an electronic notary, or an e-notary, and a remote online notary?” Not to worry, we understand your disarray completely. This guide is here to help you know what each one implies and how they vary from one another.
What is a Mobile Notary?
In contrast to a regular notary, a Mobile Notary is someone who goes to you to complete the acts of notarization. Mobile notaries are frequently referred to as traveling notaries public, abbreviated for a mobile notary public. Since they come to you, Mobile Notaries eliminate the need to waste time figuring out where to locate a notary. However, you must plan this service ahead of time. In contrast to regular notaries, who are limited to a specific price, mobile notaries may charge additional fees for travel and other travel-related expenditures. Consequently, you may be required to pay a substantial convenience charge at the end of the day. After all, they travel to your location.
Electronic Notarization
It is possible to notarize a document electronically when all participants are in the same room or location, which is called electronic notarization. It is beneficial to all parties involved, including the customer considering a home mortgage, to adopt electronic notarization. Because it is an official act, a notary public is responsible for performing it. Rather than using physical ink as a stamp or signature, the notary public electronically seals the document with a tamper-evident seal to ensure that it has not been altered.
There is a distinction between electronic notarization and remote notarization in that electronic notarization does not take place remotely. Hence, all individuals concerned must be present to witness the notarization of the document in question.
Online Notary/Remote Online Notary
In the United States, an Online Notary is a live notary who executes a notarial act via the internet. The participants are not physically present in the same area, and the whole procedure is carried out via an audio/video stream sent by a computer or mobile device, as described above.
Online notaries have gained popularity in recent years, especially in light of the travel limitations associated with COVID-19. This procedure is also referred to as RON in certain circles (remote online notarization.) If you have never done an online notarization before, the process may seem intimidating, but you will be amazed at its simplicity.
With specialist software, remote online notaries interact with consumers online to perform the notarization. Sadly, not all states have permitted remote internet notarization; nevertheless, this does not rule out the possibility of customers in those states being able to have their papers notarized this way in the future. The state’s regulations apply solely to the notaries who have been appointed in that state. Because of interstate recognition, a client’s papers will continue to be legitimate as long as the notary complies with the state’s laws in which they were commissioned.
The most significant dissimilarities
You will come across many different online notary services, and you will need to decide what is good for you. Remember, the difference between a remote notary and an electronic notary is that participants are present in both kinds of notarization; however, with electronic notarization, participants are only physically present. However, it is important to note that although all remote notaries are electronic, not all electronic notarization methods are remote or online.
Mobile notaries function in a completely different manner from remote notaries in that they come to you, and there is nothing remotely about their service that is distant. In addition, a remote notary is less expensive than a mobile notary since you spend the service charge for their services and maybe some internet expenses. This, in the majority of cases, is very little.
For a long time, mobile notaries were heavily used for mortgage closings to accommodate the demands of both clients and mortgage lenders, with the mobile notary public going to the location where the other parties felt most comfortable. So, there you have it- the differences between electronic notarization, remote notary, and mobile notary. Always consider convenience before settling on one particular choice.
