WY NOTARY Remote Online Notarization (RON) Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Wyoming notary, registered to perform Remote Online Notarizations (RON), is on vacation in Colorado. A client in Cheyenne, Wyoming, urgently needs a document notarized remotely. Using an approved RON platform, what is the correct course of action for the notary?
- Proceed with the notarization since the RON platform is secure and the signer is in Wyoming.
- Inform the client they must wait until the notary is physically back within Wyoming's borders. (Correct answer)
- Complete the notarization but note in the journal that it was performed from out of state.
- Have the notary's colleague, who is also a Wyoming notary and is physically in the state, perform the notarization.
Correct answer: Inform the client they must wait until the notary is physically back within Wyoming's borders.
Wyoming law (W.S. 32-3-111(o)) governs that the notarial act is considered performed in Wyoming, but other statutes and rules require the notary to be physically located within the state's borders at the time the remote notarization is performed. The signer's location, however, can be anywhere inside or outside the state.
Question 2: According to the Wyoming Remote Online Notarization Act, for what minimum period must the audio-visual recording of a remote notarial act be securely retained?
- 5 years.
- For the duration of the notary's current commission term.
- 7 years.
- 10 years. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 10 years.
Wyoming statute requires that a remote online notary public, or a designated repository, must retain the audio-visual recording of the notarial act for a minimum of ten (10) years.
Question 3: Which of the following is a mandatory component of the identity proofing process for a remote online notarization in Wyoming when the signer is NOT personally known to the notary?
- The signer answering a series of dynamic, knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions. (Correct answer)
- Verifying the signer's identity through a single credible witness who is in the physical presence of the notary.
- Requiring the signer to provide their Social Security number for verification against a federal database.
- Having the signer fax a legible copy of their driver's license to the notary prior to the session.
Correct answer: The signer answering a series of dynamic, knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions.
Wyoming's RON law requires a multi-factor identity verification process for remotely located individuals not personally known to the notary. This process includes remote presentation of a government-issued ID, analysis of that credential, and passing a knowledge-based authentication (KBA) quiz.
Question 4: A commissioned Wyoming notary decides they want to start offering Remote Online Notarization services. They have completed their vendor's training and have a compliant e-seal and digital certificate. What additional step must the notary take BEFORE performing their first remote notarization?
- Purchase a separate Errors & Omissions insurance policy specifically for RON.
- File a notice with their county clerk indicating their intent to perform RONs.
- Notify the Secretary of State and identify their chosen RON technology provider. (Correct answer)
- Pass a specialized RON examination administered directly by the Secretary of State.
Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State and identify their chosen RON technology provider.
Wyoming statute W.S. § 32-3-120(g) requires a notary public to notify the Secretary of State that they will be performing notarial acts for a remotely located person and must identify the specific RON technology provider they intend to use before performing their initial remote act.
Question 5: When a Wyoming notary performs a remote online notarization, what specific information must be included in the notarial certificate to distinguish it from a traditional, in-person notarization?
- The name of the specific RON technology provider used for the session.
- The IP addresses of both the notary and the remotely located individual.
- The total duration, in minutes, of the audio-visual recording session.
- A statement that the notarial act was performed using communication technology. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A statement that the notarial act was performed using communication technology.
According to W.S. 32-3-114(d), the certificate for a remote online notarization must indicate that the notarial act was performed using an electronic notarization system or other form of communication technology.
Question 6: Which of the following is a specific requirement for the journal maintained by a Wyoming notary for remote online notarizations?
- The journal must be in a paper format, with a printed screenshot of the signer attached to the entry.
- The journal must be maintained in a secure electronic format and be tamper-evident. (Correct answer)
- The journal entries for RONs must be submitted to the Secretary of State for review at the end of each calendar year.
- The journal may be co-owned and shared with the employer if they paid for the RON platform.
Correct answer: The journal must be maintained in a secure electronic format and be tamper-evident.
Wyoming law mandates that notaries performing remote notarizations must keep a secure electronic journal. The technology used for this journal must be tamper-evident, meaning it is designed to make any alterations to an entry obvious.
WY NOTARY Remote Online Notarization (RON) Questions and Answers
A Wyoming notary, registered to perform Remote Online Notarizations (RON), is on vacation in Colorado.
A client in Cheyenne, Wyoming, urgently needs a document notarized remotely.
Using an approved RON platform, what is the correct course of action for the notary?