MA Notary Electronic and Remote Online Notarization 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is an electronic notarial seal used in Massachusetts electronic notarizations?
- A physical rubber stamp scanned and emailed
- A digital image or code attached to an electronic document that identifies the notary and is tamper-evident (Correct answer)
- A QR code linking to the Secretary of State's website
- A standard wet-ink seal photographed and inserted into a PDF
Correct answer: A digital image or code attached to an electronic document that identifies the notary and is tamper-evident
An electronic notarial seal is a digital credential that identifies the notary, is attached to the electronic document, and provides tamper-evidence to protect the document's integrity.
Question 2: Must a Massachusetts notary use a Secretary of State-approved RON platform to perform remote online notarizations?
- No, any video conferencing software is acceptable
- Yes, Massachusetts requires the use of approved and compliant RON platforms (Correct answer)
- Only for real estate transactions
- Only for notarizations involving foreign nationals
Correct answer: Yes, Massachusetts requires the use of approved and compliant RON platforms
Massachusetts mandates that RON be performed through approved technology platforms that meet security, identity verification, and recording requirements.
Question 3: In a Massachusetts RON, who is responsible for ensuring the platform meets legal requirements?
- The signer
- The notary, who must use only approved platforms (Correct answer)
- The document's recipient
- The Secretary of State directly manages all platforms
Correct answer: The notary, who must use only approved platforms
The notary bears responsibility for using a compliant, approved RON platform, as the notary is the commissioned official performing the regulated act.
Question 4: How does electronic signature work in a Massachusetts remote online notarization?
- The signer faxes their signature to the notary
- The signer applies a digital/electronic signature to the document through the RON platform during the session (Correct answer)
- The notary signs on behalf of the signer
- The signer prints, signs, and scans the document
Correct answer: The signer applies a digital/electronic signature to the document through the RON platform during the session
During a RON session, the signer electronically signs the document through the platform's interface in real time, observed by the notary.
Question 5: Can a Massachusetts notary refuse to perform remote online notarizations even if authorized by law?
- No, all notaries must offer RON services
- Yes, a notary is not required to perform RON and may limit services to in-person notarizations (Correct answer)
- Only if the notary is a government employee
- Only for the first year of their commission
Correct answer: Yes, a notary is not required to perform RON and may limit services to in-person notarizations
Authorization to perform RON is permissive, not mandatory — a notary may choose to offer only traditional in-person notarizations.
Question 6: For a Massachusetts RON of a real estate closing document, what additional consideration applies?
- RON is prohibited for real estate in Massachusetts
- The lender and title company must also accept electronic documents and RON notarizations (Correct answer)
- The Registry of Deeds must pre-approve each RON closing
- Two notaries must co-sign the RON certificate
Correct answer: The lender and title company must also accept electronic documents and RON notarizations
Even when a notary is authorized for RON, all parties in a real estate transaction — including lenders, title companies, and registries — must accept electronically notarized documents.
MA Notary Electronic and Remote Online Notarization 2
What is an electronic notarial seal used in Massachusetts electronic notarizations?