WI Notary Electronic and Remote Notarization 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Can a Wisconsin-commissioned notary perform a remote online notarization for a signer located in another state?
- Yes, as long as the notary follows Wisconsin law and the act is valid in the destination state (Correct answer)
- No, the notary must be commissioned in the signer's state
- Only if both states have reciprocal agreements
- No, cross-state remote notarization is federally prohibited
Correct answer: Yes, as long as the notary follows Wisconsin law and the act is valid in the destination state
A Wisconsin-authorized remote notary may notarize for signers located in other states, provided Wisconsin law is followed and the act is recognized where the document will be used.
Question 2: What is an 'electronic signature' in the context of Wisconsin notarization?
- An electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a document and executed by a person (Correct answer)
- A scanned image of a handwritten signature only
- A typed name at the bottom of an email
- A digital fingerprint only
Correct answer: An electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a document and executed by a person
Under Wisconsin law, an electronic signature is broadly defined as any electronic sound, symbol, or process linked to a document and executed with intent to sign.
Question 3: In Wisconsin remote online notarization, what must appear on the electronic notarial certificate?
- A statement that the notarization was performed remotely and the technology platform used (Correct answer)
- Only the notary's electronic signature
- The signer's IP address and GPS coordinates
- The notary's home address
Correct answer: A statement that the notarization was performed remotely and the technology platform used
Wisconsin remote online notarial certificates must note that the notarization was performed by remote means, identifying it as a remote act.
Question 4: Can a Wisconsin notary use any video conferencing platform (e.g., Zoom, FaceTime) for remote online notarizations?
- No, only state-approved RON platforms that meet security standards may be used (Correct answer)
- Yes, any video platform is acceptable
- Only platforms approved by the federal government
- Only Microsoft Teams is approved
Correct answer: No, only state-approved RON platforms that meet security standards may be used
Wisconsin requires notaries to use technology platforms that meet the state's security and identity verification requirements, not just any commercial video app.
Question 5: Does Wisconsin allow notaries to perform electronic notarizations of paper documents (in-person electronic notarization)?
- Yes, an authorized notary can use an electronic signature and seal on an electronic document presented in person (Correct answer)
- No, electronic notarization is only for remote acts
- Only for documents stored in the cloud
- Only for government documents
Correct answer: Yes, an authorized notary can use an electronic signature and seal on an electronic document presented in person
Wisconsin law permits in-person electronic notarization (IPEN), where the signer is physically present but the document and notarial acts are completed electronically.
Question 6: What is 'knowledge-based authentication' (KBA) in Wisconsin remote notarization?
- A process where the signer answers questions based on their personal history to verify identity (Correct answer)
- A background check performed by the notary
- A test of the signer's knowledge of the document
- A credential verification performed by the county clerk
Correct answer: A process where the signer answers questions based on their personal history to verify identity
KBA is an identity verification process where the signer answers dynamic questions based on information from their personal and financial history that only they should know.
WI Notary Electronic and Remote Notarization 2
Can a Wisconsin-commissioned notary perform a remote online notarization for a signer located in another state?