What is a remote notary?
A Remote Notary is a legally commissioned notary public who is authorized to conduct notarizations over the internet via digital tools and a live audio video call. All notaries, no matter how they perform their service, must watch as someone signs a document.
What is the difference between an e-notarization and remote online notarization?
Electronic notarizations is not the same as remote notarizations.
Electronic notarization (eNotarization) is the performance of a notarial act on an electronic document by a notary public using an electronic signature and electronic seal. A notary public who is commissioned to perform electronic notarizations is referred to as an eNotary.
A Remote Notary is a legally commissioned notary public who is authorized to conduct remote online notarizations over the internet via digital tools and a live audio video call.
What are the requirements for becoming a remote online notary public in Minnesota?
To perform remote online notarization in Minnesota the notary public must be currently registered as an active Minnesota Notary, and states in a formal registration that they intend to use communication technology pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 358.645.
The notary public must register or in the case of a recommission, re-register for the authorization to perform remote online notarization with the Secretary of State by completing the Remote Online Notarization Authorization Registration Form.
A remote online notary public must be physically located in the state of Minnesota to perform a remote online notarial act.
Refer to Minnesota Statutes 358 and 359 for the laws and ethics relevant to remote notarial acts in Minnesota.
Where can I obtain a Remote Online Notarization Authorization Form?
The Remote Online Notarization Authorization Form will be available online at the Minnesota Notary Public Website on 1/1/2019.
How do I terminate my Remote Online Notarization Authorization registration?
The termination of a Remote Online Notarization Authorization Registration can only be done online pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 358.645 Subd. 8, by accessing your Notary Public Commission record through the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Notary Public Website. There is no fee to terminate your remote online notarization authorization registration.
My notary commission has expired, what are the requirements for destroying my remote technology used to perform online remote notary authorizations?
You are required to destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software or password that enables electronic affixation of the online notary public’s official electronic signature or seal, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 358.645, Subd. 8.
How long is my remote online notarization authorization good for?
Unless terminated under Minnesota Statutes 358.645, Subd. 8, the term of registration to perform remote online notarial acts begins on the registration starting date set by the Secretary of State and continues as long as the notary public’s current notary commission to perform notarial acts remains valid.
What are the Minnesota laws that remote online notarization are governed under?
The laws that govern remote online notarization fall under Minnesota Statutes, 358 and 359.
Do I need to renew my remote online notarization authorization registration?
No, the term of registration to perform remote online notarial acts begins on the registration starting date set by the Secretary of State and continues as long as the notary public’s current notary commission to perform notarial acts remains active.
What is required for the proper certification of documents being done by a remote online notary public?
The notary's name as it appears on the official notarial stamp and as printed on any jurat or certificate of acknowledgment must match the name on the notary's commission. The certificate must include identification of the jurisdiction in which the notarial act is performed and the title of the office of the notarial officer, and must include the official notarial stamp pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 358.67 and 359.03. You may also refer to Minnesota Statutes 358.65 Certificate of Notarial Act and 358.66 Short Form Certificates for examples of short form remote certification language.
Do I need to re-register for remote online notarization authorization, if my notary commission expired and I want to file a reappointment?
Yes, after you have filed a reappointment of your commission with the Office of the Secretary of State, and re-registered your notary public commission with your county of residence.
What fees can I charge for performing remote online notarial acts?
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 358.645, Subd. 3 (c) a remote online notary public’s employer may charge a fee not to exceed $25 for the performance of a remote online notarial act, if the act occurs before January 1, 2023.
Beginning January 1, 2023, remote notaries must charge fees that comply with Minnesota Statute 357.17.
Where do I obtain remote communications technology to perform remote online notarizations?
Visit our Notary Help page on our Minnesota Notary Public Website for a list of providers that offer remote communications technology services. If you are unable to locate vendors that specialize in this remote notarization technology, we recommend you search the Internet for this information.
Where can I get training for remote online notarization?
Visit our Notary Training & Supplies website page to see list of organizations that offer a course of study to perform Remote online notary public in the state of Minnesota.
Note: the office of the Secretary of State does not, by linking with any website guarantee the accuracy or appropriateness of the content of any website or validate these organizations. Viewers must make their own analysis of that content. Note: the organization you choose must cover the laws, rules, procedures and ethics relevant to notarial acts performed under Minnesota Statutes 358.645 and 359.
Refer to Minnesota Statutes 357, 358 and 359 for laws, procedures and ethics relevant to notarial acts in Minnesota.
Where can I verify if a notary is registered to perform remote online notarizations?
You can search the Minnesota Notary Public Website to see if a Notary Public is authorized to perform remote online notarizations, by entering in their name or commission number.
What are the Minnesota Statutes that govern remote notarization?
Remote Online Notarization Statutes are governed under Minnesota Statutes 358 and 359.