preparing for your remote online notarization
Questions & Requirements
What is required for an online notarization?
- The document(s) that need to be notarized
- A device with audio and video capabilities (see the minimum system requirements here)
- A valid and current government-issued photo ID
- A U.S. social security number for secure identity verification
Can I use a mobile device for online notarization?
Yes! Once your remote online notarization appointment is confirmed, you will receive a unique link to connect to your online session. You can access this link through an Apple or Android device. Electric City Notary partners with Notarize℠, a secure electronic notarization platform, to provide our software and identity verification for online notarizations.
Please note:
- Whether you’re using an Apple or Android device, a strong internet connection is needed. Notarize will test your network connection and display bars that indicate your network quality.
- Notarize requires Location access as an additional security measure. Be sure that your Location Services are turned on.
- Notarize requires access to your Camera and Microphone.
what happens during a remote online notarization session?
Once your remote online notarization appointment is confirmed, you will receive a unique link to connect to your online session. You can access this link through a computer, an Apple device, or an Android device. Electric City Notary partners with Notarize℠, a secure electronic notarization platform, to provide our software and identity verification for online notarizations.
- Using a device that meets the Minimum System Requirements to Complete Transactions on Notarize, click your unique link to begin your online session.
- Sign up for a Notarize account.
- Take a photo of your document(s) and upload (if you haven’t already sent it to your notary).
- Provide your personal information (name, date of birth, last 4 digits of U.S. social security number, current or previous U.S. address).
- Verify your identity. This consists of correctly answering 5 security questions and taking pictures of the front and back of your photo ID.
- Follow the notary’s instructions during the notarization session.
- The notary ends the call.
- Pay for the notarization (if you haven’t pre-paid).
After the call, you’ll see a page where you can email, print, or download your documents immediately. You will also receive an email with a link to your document(s), or you can log in to your account to access your document(s).
How is my identity verified?
Electric City Notary partners with Notarize℠, a secure electronic notarization platform, to provide our software and identity verification for online notarizations. Notarize verifies your identity through a multi-step verification process. First, you must complete a set of questions generated from your personal information, known as “Knowledge-Based Authentication.” KBA is a series of multiple-choice questions using public records data to verify your identity. Second, Notarize performs an automated analysis of your government-issued ID. If you do not pass the Knowledge-Based Authentication process, Electric City Notary cannot notarize your document remotely.
how do i scan my document with my mobile device?
Electric City Notary partners with Notarize℠, a secure electronic notarization platform, to provide our software and identity verification for online notarizations.
From the Notarize upload screen on your mobile device:
- Press
- Press
- Allow access to your camera.
- Line up the blue scanner border with the outside of your document page.
- Press the white circle at the bottom of the page to initiate the scan.
- If your document is scanned sideways, you can tap Rotate or Rescan to fix it.
- Add pages until you’re ready to upload:
- If you have more than one page, select .
- Press when all pages have been scanned.
- Preview your scanned documents.
- Press to rescan or to move to the next step!
Tips
- Place the document on a dark/contrasting background. For example, placing a white document on a white background will result in an error while attempting to scan.
- Step back and ensure you’re lining up the edges of the document with the blue border. Hold the device steady at a straight angle.
- If your document has many content blocks/borders, try taking a step back so the scanner can focus on the entire document as opposed to smaller pieces of the document within it.
Source: Notarize
what if i already have an electronic (PDF) version of my document?
If you have an electronic (PDF) version of the document you need notarized but didn’t upload it when scheduling your appointment, please email it to us. Electric City Notary staff will prepare it for your online notarization session.
Is remote online notarization secure?
Electric City Notary partners with Notarize℠, a secure electronic notarization platform, to provide our software and identity verification for online notarizations. Notarize employs various measures to ensure the security and privacy of personal information, including the encryption and protection of all data using AES-256-bit encryption. The Notarize platform offers tamper-evident technology subjected to various comprehensive information security audits and tests. Notarize must also comply with technical specifications, rules, and standards the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has set forth. None of your data is stored by or at Electric City Notary.
Remote online notarization disclaimer
By scheduling a remote online notary session, you confirm that you meet the requirements as mentioned above (“What is required for an online notarization?” and “How is my identity verified?”). Electric City Notary is not responsible for the inability to complete a remote online notarization due to identity verification issues or equipment compatibility issues.