Online notarization has proven to be a lifesaver for many. It enables people who require a notarized signature to get important documents notarized with the official notary seal. The main reason why it has become incredibly popular is that it allows you to seek notarization without having to leave your home. BlueNotary has created a platform to get your documents notarized online in about 10 minutes.
The first state to pass legislation for the implementation of remote online notarization was Virginia. Many states have followed in their footsteps. Whether you live in Virginia or any other state and want to find out whether your state allows remote notarization, here is everything that you need to know.
What Is Remote Notarization?
Before we take a look at the states that permit remote notarization, it is important that you gain a better understanding of it. In the simplest of words, remote notarization facilitates the signing and verification of documents as well as ensuring that they are sealed without having to go somewhere. All you need is an internet connection to meet with the online licensed notary and present your documents to them to get them signed digitally. However, the notary would first verify the signatures, identities, and notarized the document online.
Since notaries work part-time, it can be difficult to find one. They usually work with multiple businesses to perform notarization. Hence, you can just expect to walk in to get documents notarized without making an appointment well in advance. However, this antiquated process has been replaced with remote online notarization which allows the entire transaction to be conducted online.
Gaining Popularity
Although remote online notarization is not entirely new since it has been around for a few years, the coronavirus pandemic led to people utilizing the service to get their documents notarized without having to leave their homes. Many states passed legislation to permit remote online notarization. As a matter of fact, it allowed both individuals and businesses to get work done.
What Can Be Notarized Remotely?
An online virtual notary allows you to notarize a variety of documents as mentioned below.
- Wills.
- Deeds.
- Contracts.
- Affidavits.
- Official letters.
- Medical directives.
- Powers of attorney.
- Beneficiary designations.
Which States Permit Remote Notarization?
There are several states that have enacted laws to regulate remote notarization. About 26 states have fully implemented it, whereas, other states have only passed emergency legislation until the coronavirus pandemic ends. The states where remote notarization is fully authorized include Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Virginia, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Ohio, North Dakota, Montana, Nevada, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Maryland, Michigan, Kentucky, Colorado, Texas, Tennessee, Alaska, and Arizona. However, instate notarization is not valid in many states.
The states that have partially implemented remote notarization or have passed emergency legislation include the following.
- Partial Implementation: Vermont, Delaware, Mississippi, and South Dakota.
- Emergency Legislation: West Virginia, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Oregon, Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Kansas, Illinois, Hawaii, Georgia, Connecticut, and Arkansas.
The states that have not passed any law in favor of remote notarization include Washington D.C., South Carolina, Louisiana, and California.
The New Normal
Remote notarization is here to stay. Moreover, as more and more people switch to remote work, it is obvious that it would only become a norm. Therefore, even if it might not be permitted in your state yet, chances are that the state government would have no option but to pass necessary legislation sooner or later.