NM Notary Remote Online Notarization (RON) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Before performing their first remote online notarization, a New Mexico notary must do what?
- Notify the Secretary of State and identify the communication technology to be used (Correct answer)
- Pass a separate state-administered RON exam
- Obtain a court order authorizing remote acts
- Register with the county clerk in every county they serve
Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State and identify the communication technology to be used
New Mexico law requires the notary to notify the Secretary of State and identify the RON technology before the first remote notarization.
Question 2: Under New Mexico's RULONA-based RON rules, how long must the audio-visual recording of a remote notarization be retained?
- 10 years (Correct answer)
- 1 year
- 3 years
- Permanently
Correct answer: 10 years
The recording of a remote online notarization must be retained for at least 10 years in New Mexico.
Question 3: A remotely located individual is not personally known to the notary. Which method satisfies New Mexico's identity verification requirement for RON?
- At least two forms of identity proofing, such as credential analysis plus knowledge-based authentication (Correct answer)
- The signer reading their driver's license number aloud on camera
- An emailed photo of the signer's passport
- A verbal confirmation from the signer's employer
Correct answer: At least two forms of identity proofing, such as credential analysis plus knowledge-based authentication
If the signer is not personally known or vouched for by a credible witness, the notary must use at least two identity-proofing processes like credential analysis and KBA.
Question 4: What must the notarial certificate state when a New Mexico notary performs a notarization for a remotely located individual?
- That the notarial act was performed using communication technology (Correct answer)
- The brand name of the webcam used
- The signer's IP address
- That the document was executed under seal of the court
Correct answer: That the notarial act was performed using communication technology
The certificate must indicate that the notarial act involved a remotely located individual and was performed using communication technology.
Question 5: During a RON session, the video connection freezes and the notary cannot see the signer at the moment of signing. What should the notary do?
- Stop and restart the notarization once continuous simultaneous audio-visual communication is restored (Correct answer)
- Complete the act because the signer was verified earlier in the session
- Ask the signer to text a photo of the signed page
- Have an assistant watch the signer on a second device
Correct answer: Stop and restart the notarization once continuous simultaneous audio-visual communication is restored
RON requires continuous, simultaneous audio-visual communication, so the act cannot proceed during an interruption.
Question 6: Which of the following is a 'credible witness' option for identifying a remotely located individual in New Mexico?
- A person who has personal knowledge of the signer and whose identity the notary can verify (Correct answer)
- Any adult who joins the video call and vouches for the signer
- The signer's attorney appearing by phone only
- An anonymous online identity service
Correct answer: A person who has personal knowledge of the signer and whose identity the notary can verify
A credible witness must personally know the signer and must themselves be identified by the notary under the statute.
Question 7: A New Mexico notary performing RON physically located in Albuquerque may notarize for a signer located where?
- Anywhere, including outside New Mexico or the United States, if statutory conditions are met (Correct answer)
- Only within New Mexico
- Only within the United States
- Only in states that border New Mexico
Correct answer: Anywhere, including outside New Mexico or the United States, if statutory conditions are met
The notary must be in New Mexico, but the remotely located individual may be outside the state or country when statutory conditions for out-of-country acts are satisfied.
NM Notary Remote Online Notarization (RON) 2
Before performing their first remote online notarization, a New Mexico notary must do what?