As a house mortgage organization, working on getting your documents notarized to affirm the authenticity of the transactions and the records is vital. During this time, you may have encountered jargon like Electronic Notary, Traditionary Notary, Remote Online Notary, and Traditional Notary Public. These terms are often confusing, and you may wonder what they mean and how each is different from the other. While these notaries may seem different, they have the same end goal. A notary public officer is a professional that the government appoints to oversee the signing of essential documents and obstruct fraud.
In the recent past, notarizations were being performed on paper and in person. In the current fast-paced working environment, paper-based notarization slows down the business. The technique involves undependable notary public experience and has elevated chances of identity fraud. Fortunately, companies have developed proficient, secure, and reliable notarizations known as remote online notarization.
This process involves remotely ascertaining the integrity and authenticity of documents via record-keeping technologies, identity verification, electronic signature, and audiovisual and electronic journal. A proper RON is as legally acceptable as a traditional paper-based notarization minus the inconveniences and inefficiencies.
1. Electronic Notarization
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Electronic notarization is a process that involves authenticating a document electronically while all the parties are in the exact location. This notarization is convenient for both the prospective mortgage client and the house mortgage organization. The client and the notary both use an electronic signature, and the notary public attaches the notary seal and notary certificate or associates it logically with the electronic record.
The notary doesn’t need to carry around a rubber stamp notary seal and a paper document; instead, the notary stores the seal information electronically in a computer-readable form that is more convenient to carry. However, all the other requirements of a traditional notary are viable, including appearing physically before the notary. Electronic notarization is different from remote notarization because electronic notarization is not conducted remotely and requires all participants to be physically present. In contrast, remote notarization requires the notary officer to travel to a specified location.
2. Mobile Notary
As the term suggests, this notary form can be conducted remotely and at any time. The notary must move to a specific location to oversee the notarization. The notary officers have standard working hours and a constant fee for the services, but the convenience fees and traveling costs are on you. Sorting out the documents that need notarization before the arrival of the notary prevents confusion and saves time.
The advantages of mobile notarization include being cost-effective, having no location limitations, quick and efficient transactions, enhanced client satisfaction, and improved flexibility. A mobile notary differs from other types of notaries in that you may need to book an appointment a few days before the day of notarization. The notary officers also don’t have standard operating offices like a head office, which may make it difficult to find a notary public compared to an electronic or traditional notary public.
3. Remote Notary
A remote notary, also known as a mobile notary, is a form of notarization conducted online. The notary officer performs the notarization process live online, meaning the participants must be online at a specified time through a video or audio to witness the procedure. Still, they don’t necessarily have to meet at the exact physical location. A remote notary is becoming very common due to the global availability of the internet and the advancement in technology. This form of notarization involves four steps, including:
- Uploading the document online
- Completing identity verification
- Connecting with the participants
- Downloading and printing the notarized document
The significant differences
Electronic and remote notaries are similar in that the participants are present, but in electronic notaries, they are present physically. It may help to comprehend that not all electronic notarizations are online, but all online notaries are electronic. A remote notary is more cost-efficient than a mobile notary as you only need to cater to the internet costs and service fees, which are usually minimal.
The mortgage lenders are expediting their digital transformation to make notarization more convenient and cost-effective. Learning the pros and cons of each notary form helps you choose a type that meets all your requirements.
