Starting March 31, 2020, Notaries in Indiana may register to perform remote online notarizations (RONs). If you want to become a remote Notary in Indiana, here are the steps you are required to take:
- Hold an existing commission as a traditional Notary Public in Indiana.
- Log in or create an account on the Secretary of State website.
- Complete the State's Remote Notary Application.
- Name the state-approved RON technology provider(s).
- Disclose any disciplinary actions or commission revocations, if applicable.
- Complete the state-required training course and pass the exam.
- Submit your application along with your certification.
- Pay the $100 fee to the Secretary of State's office.
- If your application is approved, contact your state-approved remote technology provider(s) to finalize onboarding.
In This Guide: Indiana RON Requirements | About RON in Indiana | Additional FAQs
Requirements to be a Remote Notary in Indiana
To register for IN remote Notary authorization, you must have a current commission as a traditional Notary Public with at least 90 days before it expires.
Traditional Notaries must be at least 18 years old, a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States, and a resident or primarily employed in the state.
To learn more about becoming an Indiana Notary, review the step-by-step process, which includes a recent limited criminal history record check through the Indiana State Police.
What are the training requirements to work as an online Notary?
Indiana requires applicants to complete the state-approved remote Notary education course to register as an online Notary Public. The three-hour online course covers remote notarization best practices and technology requirements.
Is there an exam to become a remote Notary in Indiana?
The state-required RON training course includes an exam that you must pass with a score of 80% or higher to receive a certificate of completion. This certificate is required during the Secretary of State's application process for Indiana remote Notaries.
What tools and technology do I need to perform online notarizations in Indiana?
You will need a computer, webcam, microphone and secure connection to the internet. Your computer must be able to support two-way audio and visual communication in order to perform RON services. The Secretary of State requires you to select from their list of approved RON technology providers, which includes BlueNotary, Cyberize It, Digital Delivery, Notarize, NotaryCam, Pavaso and Simply Sign, LLC.
Remote online Notaries are also required to have a digital certificate containing their signature, an electronic seal and an electronic journal — all of which may be provided by the remote Notary vendor(s) of your choice.
Do I need another surety bond?
No. Remote Notaries are not required to have a second surety bond. Indiana does require traditional Notaries to have a $25,000 surety bond to protect the public though.
Is an E&O insurance policy required in Indiana?
Although Indiana does not make errors and omissions (E&O) insurance mandatory, having a policy to cover any unintentional mistakes on your end as the Notary is strongly recommended.
If you already have an E&O policy, you may want to check with your provider to make sure it covers electronic notarial acts and remote online notarizations.
About Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Indiana
Remote online notarization may be a new concept, but the process of performing RONs is similar to the processes for traditional and electronic notarizations with a few differences.
Does Indiana allow remote notarization?
Yes, remote online notarization is legal in the Hoosier State. On March 31, 2020, the Indiana Secretary of State adopted final rules for both remote and traditional notarization laws.
Remote Indiana Notaries have jurisdiction within the boundaries of the state. The Notary must be in Indiana at the time of the notarial act, but signers can be in any physical location. If the signer is outside of the United States, certain conditions must be met.
How do remote online notarizations work in Indiana?
In remote notarizations, the signer personally appears before the online Notary in real-time using audio-video technology. The Notary verifies the signer's identity by either 1) personal knowledge, 2) credible witness' knowledge of the signer's identity, 3) remote presentation of the signer's ID, credential analysis and visual inspection of the ID, and identity proofing of the signer that may include dynamic knowledge-based authentication assessment or use of a public key infrastructure, or 4) another method that uses state-approved technology.
The Notary will also ask questions to verify the signer understands the document and that they're signing it willingly. Then, the Notary fills in the notarial certificate block, adds their eSignature, and attaches their electronic Notary seal and digital certificate. The transaction is documented in an electronic journal, and an audio-video recording of the session is saved.
What notarial acts can be performed virtually?
Indiana allows remote Notaries to perform the following notarial acts:
- Taking an acknowledgment
- Taking a proof
- Administering an oath or affirmation
- Taking a verification on an oath or affirmation
- Attesting to or witnessing a signature
- Attesting to or certifying a copy of a document
It's important to note that if a signer is located outside of the United States, an IN online Notary must confirm some additional details. The act must not be prohibited in the jurisdiction where the principal is present at the time of the remote notarial act, and must concern a matter that:
- Is before a court, a governmental entity or another entity in;
- Concerns a property located in; or
- Relates to a transaction substantially connected to a territory or jurisdiction of, the United States.
How long do online notarizations take vs. traditional notarizations?
Remote notarizations take less time than traditional notarizations because they don't require the signer nor the Notary to meet in person, saving you time from traveling. Depending on the RON technology vendor you choose, you can receive and complete a notarization request within a few minutes without having to leave your home.
Electronic vs. Remote Notarization
Electronic notarizations are in-person notarizations that involve electronic documents and signatures. In remote notarizations, the Notary and signer appear before each other via audio-video technology and involve electronic documents and signatures.
Additional RON FAQs
Below are answers to commonly-asked questions regarding RON in the State of Indiana.
How much does it cost to register as a remote Notary?
The cost of becoming a remote online Notary in Indiana ranges from $100 to a few hundred dollars, depending on the companies you choose to work with and a variety of other factors. For example, you will need to pay $100 for the state-required training course, the exam and the state's application fee. Additional costs include any sign-up fees associated with your preferred RON technology provider(s) and the cost of your digital supplies like the eSeal and digital certificate.
The cost for you to maintain a $25,000 surety bond and recommended E&O insurance policy may vary depending on your credit history among other factors.
You may already have a computer, webcam, microphone and secure internet access set up at home, but if you don't, you will need to factor that equipment into your startup costs as well.
How much can IN remote Notaries charge for their services?
Indiana authorizes online Notaries to charge up to $25 per remote online notarization. Remote Notaries may charge a reasonable fee to recover the expense of making copies of electronic journal entries or audio-video recordings of remote notarial acts.
How long does it take to become a Virtual Notary in Indiana?
It can take up to six weeks to become an IN online Notary. Up to four of those weeks will be spent on the first step of the registration process: becoming a traditional Notary. The rest of the process can be done fairly quickly.
After you receive your commission as a traditional Notary Public, you will spend three hours taking the required RON training course and exam, one day choosing your RON technology provider(s), and one day submitting your application documents and fee to the Secretary of State.
How long will my remote Notary authorization last?
Indiana's remote online Notary authorization expires the day your traditional Notary Public commission expires. You must renew your traditional Notary commission before you can renew your remote Notary authorization.
Do you have to be a certified NSA to work as an online Notary Public?
No, you do not need to be a certified Notary Signing Agent to become a remote Notary in Indiana. However, getting your NSA certification makes you eligible to receive more RON assignments and ensures RON technology vendors that you've passed a current background screening. Indiana NSAs must have a title insurance license for all closings.
Will RON services grow my IN Notary business?
Yes, becoming a remote online Notary and joining a RON platform can help your business grow. Your customer base will expand exponentially because you're no longer limited to Indiana residents when you're an online Notary. You may notarize for signers outside of the state border, or anywhere else, as long as you're physically located in Indiana at the time of notarization.
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Last updated: June 21, 2023