Online notarization has been in use since 2011 when the Commonwealth of Virginia became the first state in the United States to pass a law allowing online notarizations as an option to have important documents notarized. Acceptance grew slowly until the COVID pandemic began to spread in the Spring of 2020. It was then that many states began to quickly pass legislation allowing online notarization, some only temporarily but many permanently.
Now that the pandemic is behind us, why should you consider online notarization for not only your personal documents but also ones for your business? This blog post will take a look at some reasons why you should have an approved online notary like Blue Ink Notary in your contact list!
Online Notarization for Personal Documents
If nothing else, COVID has increased consumers' desire for convenience in both their personal and business dealings. With services like Amazon, Instacart, DoorDash & Carvana among others, we can have almost anything delivered to our front door with just a few taps on the keyboard. The same now holds true for notary services.
We sign many documents and agreements online already so it makes sense that documents requiring notarization be completed online as well. Many online notarization platforms are easy to use, offer a variety of safeguards and are completed quickly with instant access to your completed document.
There is less travel with online notarization for both you AND the notary and hence less time wasted getting from point A to B. Appointment times may be even more convenient than a mobile notary because the notary simply needs to login to their platform on a device to complete the notarization. No need for the notary to get changed and run out to your location for an after hours appointment with online notarization.
Also, there could be a cost savings on the notary fees. Less wear and tear on the notary's vehicle and the cost of fuel do not come into play so it would stand to reason that the fee the notary charges you should be a bit lower. Keep in mind however, that many online notarization platforms do charge the notary some type of user fee for each notarization completed and those fees will likely be included in the fee that is quoted to you.
Online Notarization for Business Documents
If your business does not have a notary on staff, using an online notary may be a great way to ensure your important documents are notarized. With the continuous growth of worldwide business and an increase in the amount of remote workers on company payrolls, online notarization simply makes sense with its ease of bringing parties together when documents, agreements or contracts need to be signed.
There is a saying in business that "time is money." In order to meet your deadline or to keep that deal from falling through the cracks, online notarization provides a quick and effective way to get the task done when you don't have a notary on staff or the time to search for and wait for a mobile notary to come to you.
There could also be a cost savings benefit for businesses who use online notarization for their important documents. With fewer administrative expenses and less travel on the business owner's or the notary's part, fees for notarizing a document virtually could be lower than those for in person notarization.
Accessibility is another benefit for business owners. With 24 hour access from virtually anywhere in the world, online notarization is highly useful for businesses involved in international dealings that cross times zones and date lines.
The one thing to make sure of, whether using online notarization for personal or business documents, is that the recipient of the document(s) will accept an electronically signed and notarized document. Certain documents like wills or powers of attorney must be signed in ink in order to be utilized. An electronically notarized document, accepted in one jurisdiction or country, might not be accepted in another. So check with the party requesting notarization if they will accept the document completed via online notarization.
The adoption on online notarization has been gaining momentum and will only continue to do so. Online notarization platforms are becoming more numerous and easier to use with a wider variety of features and security measures. That, along with 24 hour access and potentially lower pricing will likely help online notarization gain in popularity and importance in the years to come.
Blue Ink Notary, based in Greater Reading and serving Berks County as well as Lancaster, Montgomery, Chester, Lehigh, Schuylkill and Lebanon counties, has been helping numerous Pennsylvania residents and businesses get their documents notarized since 2019. I am generally available Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm but am also available for emergency early morning, evening & weekend appointments to help you with your documents, so contact me any time with questions.
To discuss your notary needs:
📲 Call or text 484-509-1405
📩 Email brian@blueinknotarypa.com
🖥️ Visit online at blueinknotarypa.com and message us in our chat box in the lower right corner of your screen or visit the Contact Us page.
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