Online notarization became legal in Ohio in September of 2019.
The ability to manage a document online simplifies the entire process if you need a notarized signature – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any document you may need notarized can now be notarized online, with the help of a certified online notary at Mishak Law and the technology necessary to connect to them.
How Online Notarization Works
As opposed to traveling to a bank or office of a “traditional” notary, all you need for online notarization is an authorized online notary, like Mishak Law in Lorain County, and access to the platform we use to notarize documents.
Any document that can be notarized by a traditional notary public can be notarized by a certified online notary, like a deed, a mortgage, or another contract.
Our knowledgeable staff at Mishak Law are able to talk you through the specifics of how it will work for you, but in every case, you will need technology to upload your document and audio/video (a webcam) to connect to the online notary.
When an online notary notarizes your document, they will provide you with a video recording of the entire process to prevent any questions or concerns. You can keep a digital-only record of the notarization by using secure cloud-based record-keeping technology.
Identity Proofing
Ohio’s requirements for “identity proofing,” meaning proving who you are before a notary public will notarize your document, are very detailed. Even on an online platform, you will need to be prepared to present the notary with proof of your identity that can be authenticated, like your driver’s license, passport, or state identification card.
You will also need to respond to questions for which only you should know the answer. These are multiple-choice questions and could relate to things like past addresses or automobiles that have been registered in your name.
Online notary information originally found on ohiobar.org