MN Notary Electronic and Remote Online Notarization 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the key difference between electronic notarization and remote online notarization (RON) in Minnesota?
- RON uses audio-visual technology for parties at different physical locations; electronic notarization may involve in-person signing with electronic tools (Correct answer)
- Electronic notarization requires two witnesses; RON requires none
- Electronic notarization is only for government documents; RON is for private contracts
- RON requires court approval; electronic notarization does not
Correct answer: RON uses audio-visual technology for parties at different physical locations; electronic notarization may involve in-person signing with electronic tools
RON allows the notary and signer to be in different physical locations connected by audio-visual technology, while electronic notarization can involve parties in the same location using electronic tools and records.
Question 2: Under Minnesota law, what must a notary public do before performing remote online notarizations for the first time?
- Obtain a separate RON-only notary commission from the Secretary of State
- Complete a 40-hour training course approved by the state bar
- Register as an electronic notary with the Minnesota Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- Obtain certification from a federally approved RON vendor
Correct answer: Register as an electronic notary with the Minnesota Secretary of State
Minnesota requires notaries to register with the Secretary of State as an electronic notary before they are authorized to perform electronic or remote online notarial acts.
Question 3: During a remote online notarization session, where must the Minnesota notary public be physically located?
- At a licensed RON facility anywhere in the United States
- In the physical presence of the signer
- At the county recorder's office in their county of commission
- Within the state of Minnesota (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Within the state of Minnesota
Minnesota law requires the notary to be physically present within the state of Minnesota during any RON session, as their authority is tied to their Minnesota commission.
Question 4: Which identity verification method for RON requires a signer to correctly answer dynamic questions drawn from their personal history in public records?
- Credential analysis
- Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) (Correct answer)
- Biometric fingerprint verification
- Notarial personal knowledge
Correct answer: Knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) presents the signer with dynamic quiz questions derived from public records about their personal history, verifying identity without physical document presentation.
Question 5: Under Minnesota's RON statute, where may the signer be physically located during a remote online notarization?
- Only within the state of Minnesota
- Only within the United States
- Only in states that have reciprocal RON agreements with Minnesota
- Anywhere in the world (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Anywhere in the world
Minnesota law places no geographic restriction on the signer's location; the signer may be located anywhere in the world during a RON session, provided all other requirements are met.
Question 6: What security feature must be applied to electronically notarized documents in Minnesota to protect against post-notarization alteration?
- Digital watermarking overlaid on each page
- A notarized physical seal image applied digitally
- Tamper-evident technology (Correct answer)
- Encrypted USB drive delivery to all parties
Correct answer: Tamper-evident technology
Minnesota law requires electronically notarized documents to incorporate tamper-evident technology, ensuring any alteration to the document after notarization will be detectable.
Question 7: How long must a Minnesota notary retain the audio-visual recording of each remote online notarization session?
- 1 year
- 3 years
- 5 years
- 10 years (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 10 years
Minnesota requires RON notaries to retain audio-visual recordings of each session for 10 years as part of their mandatory electronic record-keeping obligations.
MN Notary Electronic and Remote Online Notarization 1
What is the key difference between electronic notarization and remote online notarization (RON) in Minnesota?