What is Online Notarization?

An online notarization is a notarial act performed by an online notary by means of two-way video and audio conference technology that meets the standards adopted by the Secretary of State for such actions including credential analysis and identity proofing.

What are the system requirements?

MUST USE EITHER A LAPTOP OR DESKTOP (NO CELLPHONES OR TABLETS)

It is recommended that customers use Google’s Chrome Browser (click here to download) on a laptop or desktop computer (Mac or PC) with a webcam that has both video and audio capabilities. Most desktops and laptops come with webcams preinstalled. To check if your device has a webcam and audio capabilities, open your Chrome browser and click here to test. It is highly recommended that have a good internet connection (Wifi or Ethernet connection to cable internet or better).

How much can online notaries charge for their services?

Online notaries may charge up to $25 for each notarization they perform in addition to regular notary charges. Online notaries are not required to charge for their services, but they are allowed to charge up to $25 plus the regular notary fees authorized by Tex. Gov’t Code §406.024.

For example:

if an online notary notarizes the signature of one person, the charge will be $31, i.e. $25 + $6 = $31;

if an online notary notarizes the signatures of two persons named in the same notarial certificate, the charge will be $32, i.e. $25 + $6 +$1 = $32;

if an online notary notarizes the signatures of two persons, and there are separate notarial certificates for each signing party, the charge will be $62, i.e. $25 +$6 for the first notarization and $25 +$6 for the second notarization, which totals $62.

Scanning Your ID – Needs to be a current US Driver’s License or US State ID

You will need to Either take a picture of the front and back of your ID, Or scan a copy of your ID front and back. Please make sure when you scan a copy of your ID that you provide two (2) files, one file for the front of the ID and one file for the back of the ID. Scanned copies of front and back of ID need to be high resolution .jpeg files. If you take a picture of your ID make sure to use a white background.

Scanning Your Documents

You will need to scan your document in PDF format.  In order to place signatures and notary stamps properly please make sure you provide us with a good scanned copy of your document with everything properly aligned.  Skewed documents not properly aligned and bad scans make it almost impossible for the notary stamps and signatures to be properly placed.  For this reason, if we receive a bad scan, skewed scan, or misaligned scanned document you will be asked to provide us another scan that is properly aligned.  

Recording of the Online Notarization

An online notary public shall keep a record of all notarial acts in accordance with §406.108, of the Texas Government Code, and Chapter 87 of the Texas Administrative Code. The record shall include a recording of the audio-visual conference that is the basis for satisfactory evidence of identity and a notation of the type of identification presented as evidence by the signer if the signer is not personally known to the online notary public. The recording shall include, at a minimum: 

Confirmation by the notary public that the signer has successfully completed identity proofing and credential analysis; 

Visual confirmation of the identity of the signer through visual inspection of the credential used during credential analysis; and The actual notarial act performed.

If the signer is personally known to the online notary public, the audio-visual conference shall include a statement to that effect and a recording of the actual notarial act performed.

Reasons to Refuse Online Notarization Services

In addition to those in §87.42 of the Texas Administrative Code (relating to Refusal of Requests for Notarial Services) in which a notary public is authorized to refuse a notarization, an online notary shall refuse to perform an online notarization if: 

The online notary public is unable to verify the identity of the signer using an acceptable means of identification in accordance with Subchapter H; 

The online notary public is unable to verify the security of the two-way audio-visual transmission; 

The signature of the signer cannot be attached to the electronic document;

The digital certificate or electronic seal of the online notary public cannot be attached to the electronic document in a manner that renders any subsequent change or modification to the document evident.

Certain states and public agencies have specific additional requirements and limitations for accepting electronically-signed documents and out-of-state notarizations, and not all documents may be electronically-signed. You should contact the agency that will receive your e-signed and e-notarized document to ensure your document will be acceptable for its intended use.