Electronic and Remote Online Notarization (RON) Procedures 1 Flashcards

During a remote online notarization (RON) session, where must the Illinois notary be physically located?

Answer: Within the state of Illinois

Illinois law requires the notary to be physically located within Illinois at the time of performing a RON. The signer, however, may be located anywhere—domestically or internationally—provided the notary can verify identity through approved means.

What is 'knowledge-based authentication' (KBA) as used in Illinois RON identity verification?

Answer: A dynamic quiz of personal history questions drawn from public and financial records

KBA presents the signer with dynamic questions—such as past addresses, loan amounts, or vehicle history—generated from public records and credit data. The signer must answer correctly within a time limit to pass this layer of identity verification.

How long must an Illinois notary retain the audio-visual recording of a RON session?

Answer: 10 years from the date of the notarial act

Illinois law requires that electronic records of RON sessions, including the audio-visual recording, be retained for a minimum of 10 years. This is consistent with the retention period for the electronic notary journal.

Which statement correctly describes where the signer may be located during an Illinois RON session?

Answer: The signer may be located anywhere in the world

Unlike the notary—who must be in Illinois—the signer may be located anywhere domestically or internationally. Illinois RON law does not restrict the signer's physical location, making it possible to notarize documents for signers abroad.

What must an Illinois notary's certificate of notarial act include when the notarization is performed via RON?

Answer: A statement indicating the notarial act was performed using communication technology

Illinois requires that the notarial certificate for a RON transaction include a statement that the notarial act was performed by means of communication technology. This disclosure distinguishes remote notarizations from traditional in-person ones on the face of the document.

If the audio-visual connection is interrupted or becomes inadequate during a RON session, what must the Illinois notary do?

Answer: Stop the notarial act and restart or reschedule the session once communication is restored

Illinois RON law requires continuous, clear audio-visual communication throughout the session. If the connection is interrupted or falls below the required standard, the notary must halt the notarial act. The session must be restarted with a fully functional connection—or rescheduled—before the notarization can be completed.