Who and What can I Notarize with SIGNiX?
If you are Notary user, you might encounter any number of situations with your clients where you question what you are capable of notarizing.
In general, SIGNiX is a software vendor and cannot give you legal advice.
We always recommend contacting your Secretary of State and reviewing your state's Notary Handbook for guidelines to follow.
Another good resource might be the National Notary Association for information about handling your client's unique situations.
Who can I notarize remotely?
This question may depend on which Authentication method you plan to give your signer and which state you are commissioned in as a notary.
If you have personal knowledge of this person, you can select Password Only, and the signer will create their own password to sign documents online.
If you do not have personal knowledge, and need to verify the signer's identity with credential analysis, then your Authentication options are determined by your state's RON laws.
Most states allow for:
- Credible Witness - another person who knows the signer and can vouch for them under oath to the notary during the remote signing process.
- The witness can be added to the transaction as another Signer, and you could give them a specific authentication method as well before they sign the document during the remote notarization.
- Knowledge Based Authentication - KBA involves the signer entering the expiration of their ID, the last 4 digits of their SSN and their full DOB. Then they must answer questions about themselves, and finally take several pictures of their ID for verification.
- This is a US based option, so non-citizens may not be well suited for KBA.
Some states allow for additional options for Authentication, such as Biometrics for example - where they only take ID pictures and then pictures of their face, which is not limited to just US citizens, however is not acceptable by every state.
If you are ever unsure, check with your state, an attorney, or another such authority.
What documents can I notarize remotely?
This question may depend on what your state allows you to notarize, so we cannot provide an answer to this directly.
The software allows you to upload any PDF document for signing and notarizing, so it is up to each notary's discretion to select the appropriate documents for their client's situation.
Certain documents, such as those being signed by a Vulnerable Adult, or those involved with a Real Estate transaction may require additional steps from the notary.
If you are ever unsure, check with your state, an attorney, or another such authority.