WV Notary Remote Online Notarization 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Can a West Virginia notary perform a remote online notarization for a signer who is physically located in another U.S. state?
- No, the signer must also be in West Virginia
- Yes, the signer may be located anywhere in the United States (Correct answer)
- Yes, but only if the other state has a reciprocity agreement with WV
- No, the signer must be in the same time zone as the notary
Correct answer: Yes, the signer may be located anywhere in the United States
West Virginia RON law allows the notary to perform notarial acts for signers located anywhere in the U.S., as long as the notary is in West Virginia at the time of the act.
Question 2: What is 'credential analysis' as used in West Virginia remote online notarization identity verification?
- Reviewing the signer's professional certifications and licenses
- Automated or human review of the signer's government-issued ID to confirm its authenticity (Correct answer)
- Checking the signer's credit score and financial history
- Verifying the signer's digital signature against a known database
Correct answer: Automated or human review of the signer's government-issued ID to confirm its authenticity
Credential analysis involves examining the signer's government-issued photo ID using automated technology or human review to verify that the ID is genuine and belongs to the signer.
Question 3: Before a West Virginia notary may perform remote online notarizations, they must:
- Pass a separate RON licensing exam administered by the state
- Register with the Secretary of State and use an approved RON platform (Correct answer)
- Obtain a federal electronic notarization permit
- Complete 40 hours of additional notary training
Correct answer: Register with the Secretary of State and use an approved RON platform
WV notaries must register with the Secretary of State to perform RON and must use a technology platform that has been approved by that office.
Question 4: During a remote online notarization in West Virginia, what must the electronic notarial certificate indicate?
- That the signer was physically present in the notary's county
- That the notarial act was performed using audio-video communication technology (Correct answer)
- The signer's social security number for identity verification purposes
- The notary's personal home address
Correct answer: That the notarial act was performed using audio-video communication technology
The electronic notarial certificate for a RON must state that the notarial act was performed by means of audio-video communication technology, distinguishing it from an in-person notarization.
Question 5: Which of the following notarial acts CAN be performed via remote online notarization in West Virginia?
- Witnessing a will signature when two physical witnesses are required by WV probate law
- Taking an acknowledgment on a real estate deed (Correct answer)
- Certifying a copy of a vital record from the state registrar
- Administering an oath in a WV court proceeding requiring physical presence
Correct answer: Taking an acknowledgment on a real estate deed
Taking an acknowledgment is a standard notarial act that WV law permits to be performed remotely via RON, subject to proper identity verification and platform requirements.
Question 6: If the audio-video connection is disrupted or lost during a remote online notarization in West Virginia, the notary should:
- Proceed with the notarization and note the disruption in the journal
- Complete the notarization via telephone audio only to avoid delay
- Halt the session and restart once a clear, continuous connection is reestablished (Correct answer)
- Ask the signer to mail a notarized copy of their identification
Correct answer: Halt the session and restart once a clear, continuous connection is reestablished
A continuous, clear audio-video connection is required throughout the RON session; if it is lost, the notary must stop and only proceed after a proper connection is restored.
Question 7: In a West Virginia remote online notarization, who is responsible for ensuring that the RON platform used meets state requirements?
- The document recipient (e.g., the lender or title company)
- The signer, who must select an approved platform
- The notary, who must only use platforms approved by the WV Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- The West Virginia courts, who certify platforms annually
Correct answer: The notary, who must only use platforms approved by the WV Secretary of State
The notary bears responsibility for using only technology platforms approved by the WV Secretary of State; using an unapproved platform could render the notarial act invalid.
WV Notary Remote Online Notarization 2
Can a West Virginia notary perform a remote online notarization for a signer who is physically located in another U.S. state?