With remote notarization, a signer personally appears before the Notary at the time of the notarization using audio-visual technology over the internet instead of being physically present in the same room. Remote online notarization is also called webcam notarization, online notarization or virtual notarization.

Is remote notarization the same as electronic notarization?

Many people confuse electronic notarization with remote notarization, believing they are the same. They are not.

Electronic notarization, or eNotarization, involves documents that are notarized in electronic form, and the Notary and document signer sign with an electronic signature. But all other elements of a traditional, paper notarization apply to electronic notarization, including the requirement for the signer to physically appear before the Notary.

The confusion arises from the fact that remote notarizations typically involve digital documents that are signed and notarized electronically. However they go a step further in that the transaction is conducted online rather than in person.

What states allow remote notarization?

Currently, 40 states have passed remote notarization laws.

Out of those states, 34 have laws that are in effect as of November 2021. Those states include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont (see below), Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Absentee Voting
Relates to absentee voting; provides that excuse required to vote absentee by mail; provides that signature match; requires a registered voter to provide a reason for being absent or unable to vote at his polling place on election day in order to receive an absentee ballot to vote by mail; the bill requires a voter voting absentee by mail to open his ballot in the presence of a notary who must sign the ballot return envelope; requires that the general registrar match the signature of the/.
Analysis: 1. This bill lists the registered voters who are eligible to vote by absentee ballot.
2. This bill requires a federal write-in absentee ballot to be notarized.
3. This bill requires the envelope containing an absentee ballot to contain the wording “Ballot within. Do not open except in presence of a notary” and requires a voter to follow this instruction.
4. This bill provides that when the voter’s statement on the absentee ballot envelope is signed, dated, and signed by a Notary, the ballot shall not be subject to challenge.
5. This bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
Issue: Elections