Iowa Remote Notary Online (RON)
Iowa is a Remote Online Notary state. There are many legal documents that require a notary public signature. To name a few: real estate deeds, mortgage contracts, last will and testament and powers of attorney. Until recently, a notary public had to be in the same room as the signer for the document to be legally notarized.
A remote notary is a great option for convenience and public health safety measures.
Steps with Hope Wood, JD, Remote Online Notary
Schedule a 15-minute appointment
Email the unsigned document that needs a notarized signature
Adopt a signature for the document using the steps emailed in advance
Join the appointment using the special link for your session sent by DocVerify
Receive the notarized document minutes after your session ends
Pay the fee using a secure payment webpage (fees are listed on the schedule page)
Requirements for a Remote Online Notary
A notary public in Iowa must:
(1) use a software service designed for the purpose of conducting remote online notarization (RON); and
(2) register as a RON with the Iowa Secretary of State before performing any notary acts.
eNotary compared to Remote Online Notary
An electronic notary or eNotary has been available in the State of Iowa for awhile. An eNotary still has an in-person requirement to be valid. The reason it is an eNotary is because the notary public signs the document electronically. Picture the signor and the notary in the same room signing the document using an electronic device.
Remote Online Notary is different than an electronic notary. In lay person terms, the process may be referred to as a virtual notary or online notary, it is a very technical and secure process.
Remote Online Notary is in a different physical space (remote) from the signor. The Notary has to see the signor using a form of a web camera.
Remote Online Notary Software
If you are reading this because you want to verify that your RON is doing things right or if you are a notary public in Iowa and want to provide RON services, the Iowa Secretary of State has a list of RON software providers who are approved to provide RON.
Technology Requirements
Each signor has to be on video, including audio, with the notary at the time of signing.
The notary act is video recorded and has to be preserved for 10 years.
Each signor has to have their own electronic device with video and audio access.
Cost of RON for providers
RON requires high security and cutting edge technology.
There are ongoing costs to being a RON. The startup costs, if you want to become a remote online notary (RON) are around $300.
If you are using an RON, there will be a fee for the service because of the technology costs to the notary.
For Will in a Day® virtual clients, the RON is complimentary.
The cost for the user/signer who uses Hope Wood JD is $25-$50 per person depending on certain factors.
Legislative History
If this topic continues to be interesting to you, then you may want to know the genesis of RON in Iowa.
The RON laws were passed during the Iowa 2019 legislative session. The new laws are part of the current Iowa statute Chapter 9B Notarial Acts.
The law was effective date of July 1, 2020. It was signed by Governor Kim Reynolds on April 29, 2019.
Prior to the effective date, Governor Kim Reynolds allowed remote online notary through each emergency proclamation for public health safety measures.
Schedule an appointment with Hope Wood JD for an online notary in Iowa.
