RI Notary Remote Online Notarization (RON) 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A signer located in France asks a Rhode Island notary to remotely notarize a document. Under what condition is this generally permissible?
- The record relates to a matter within U.S. jurisdiction or the act is otherwise permitted for records intended for use in the state (Correct answer)
- It is never permissible for signers outside the United States
- Only if the signer is a U.S. military member
- Only if the French government issues written approval
Correct answer: The record relates to a matter within U.S. jurisdiction or the act is otherwise permitted for records intended for use in the state
A remotely located individual outside the U.S. may be served if the record is to be filed with or relates to a matter under U.S. or state jurisdiction, among other statutory conditions.
Question 2: During a RON session, the video feed freezes repeatedly and the notary cannot clearly see the signer. What should the notary do?
- Stop and refuse to complete the notarization until reliable audio-visual communication is restored (Correct answer)
- Complete the act based on the audio alone
- Ask the signer to email a selfie and proceed
- Have an assistant confirm the signer's identity later
Correct answer: Stop and refuse to complete the notarization until reliable audio-visual communication is restored
Continuous, clear audio-visual communication is required, so the notary must halt the act if the technology fails.
Question 3: What is 'credential analysis' in remote online notarization?
- A third-party process that confirms the validity of a government-issued ID through automated review of its security features (Correct answer)
- The notary visually comparing the ID to the signer over video
- A background check of the signer's criminal history
- Verification of the notary's own commission status
Correct answer: A third-party process that confirms the validity of a government-issued ID through automated review of its security features
Credential analysis uses technology to validate the security features and data of a government-issued identification credential.
Question 4: A signer completes KBA but fails two of the required questions. What should happen?
- The identity proofing fails and the notarization cannot proceed by that method (Correct answer)
- The notary may waive the failed questions if the signer seems honest
- The signer may skip identity proofing by paying an extra fee
- The notary answers the questions on the signer's behalf
Correct answer: The identity proofing fails and the notarization cannot proceed by that method
Identity proofing standards require the signer to meet the minimum passing threshold, and a failure means that verification method is not satisfied.
Question 5: Who is responsible for keeping the RON audio-visual recording if the notary resigns or their commission expires?
- The notary must ensure the recording is retained, either personally or by a designated repository, for the full retention period (Correct answer)
- The recording may be deleted immediately upon resignation
- The signer becomes responsible for the recording
- The recording transfers automatically to the local police department
Correct answer: The notary must ensure the recording is retained, either personally or by a designated repository, for the full retention period
Retention obligations survive the end of a commission, and the notary or an authorized repository must preserve the recording for the required period.
Question 6: In RON terminology, what is a 'remotely located individual'?
- A person who is not in the physical presence of the notary at the time of the notarial act (Correct answer)
- Any person living more than 50 miles from the notary
- A person located outside the United States only
- A notary working from home
Correct answer: A person who is not in the physical presence of the notary at the time of the notarial act
A remotely located individual is simply someone who is not in the notary's physical presence during the act, regardless of distance.
Question 7: Which record must a Rhode Island notary keep of each remote online notarization in addition to the recording?
- A journal entry documenting the remote notarial act (Correct answer)
- A notarized affidavit from the signer's employer
- A printed screenshot of the video call
- A copy of the signer's birth certificate
Correct answer: A journal entry documenting the remote notarial act
Notaries performing RON must maintain a journal documenting each remote act along with the required audio-visual recording.
RI Notary Remote Online Notarization (RON) 3
A signer located in France asks a Rhode Island notary to remotely notarize a document.
Under what condition is this generally permissible?