What’s the Difference Between a Traditional and RON?
Most people know traditional notary services. Traditional signing services require a paper document signed with ink. The signer and public official meet in person for this service. Most notaries know and understand the traditional process. Signers sign the paper document in ink with a pen. Then the notary finishes by initialing and stamping them with their seal.
Remote online notarization (RON) is when the certifier and signer meet online and the document is signed using electronic signatures. Some states allow paper documents to be signed and notarized using RON.
For remote notarizations on electronic documents, the client signs the document with an electronic signature. The public official then signs the document with an electronic signature and attaches its electronic seal.
Both types of notarization require notaries to be in charge of identity checks (in the form of an ID); however, RON usually needs more information. The platform used will normally have clients or signers answer questions that only they will know. This helps to make sure their identity is protected and the notary feels confident with who is signing the documents.