The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) has created a task force to study webcam notarizations and answer the many concerns raised about their privacy and security.
Webcam notarizations allow a signer to communicate remotely with a Notary using audio-visual technology instead of appearing in person. Proponents argue that the technology provides convenience and flexibility for signers, but critics argue that fraud is easier to commit if the signer is not physically in the Notary’s presence.
Adoption Of Remote Notarizations
Virginia and Montana now allow webcam technology use by Notaries. However California, Ohio and several other jurisdictions have previously issued statements that they do not accept remote notarizations.
The NASS task force, which includes representatives from 20 states, including government officials, Notary professionals and private-sector notarization experts, will review remote notarization technologies, track state legislative activity and develop possible proposals regarding webcam notarization usage. The task force is led by Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler and Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes.
"As digital technology evolves, remote notarizations are taking hold in states like Montana and Virginia, prompting organizations like the Uniform Law Commission to reconsider the long-held notarial principle that 'personal appearance' requires physical presence," Schedler said.
"While NASS currently supports e-notarizations for digital documents, our organizational standards still require signers and notaries to be in the same room," added Grimes. "In addition to reviewing the merits of physical presence versus virtual presence, state policymakers must also address the potential validity and interstate recognition of remotely e-notarized documents."
Notaries can learn more in The National Notary’s June 2016 issue or at NNA 2016’s webcam notarization panel, where electronic notarization experts and state officials will be discussing pros and cons and demonstrating this new technology.
David Thun is an Associate Editor at the National Notary Association.
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Additional Resources
NNA 2016 Information
NASS Webcam Notarization Task Force News Release