Online notarization in Massachusetts: Get your document notarized today
If you live in Massachusetts and need to get documents notarized, you may be looking for a fast and easy solution to make your life easier. Luckily, Remote Online Notarization (RON) has made it increasingly easy to access professional notary services, such as those offered by PandaDoc Notary, from the convenience of your own home. But is RON currently legal in the state of Massachusetts?
In this guide we will break down everything you need to know about remote online notary in Massachusetts to start notarizing your documents online right away using PandaDoc Notary. Learn everything about remote online notarization in Massachusetts.
Is online notarization legal in Massachusetts?
No, Remote Online Notarization (RON) is not currently permitted in Massachusetts and traditional “wet ink” signatures are still required for document notarization. Though online notarization was temporarily made legal thanks to Chapter 71 of “An Act Providing for Virtual Notarization to Address Challenges Related to COVID-19”, the act has expired as of July 2022.
How to get your documents notarized online in Massachusetts?
While using remote online notary services in Massachusetts would provide a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional notarization, it is not currently legal in the state. All notarizations that are carried out in the state of Massachusetts must take place in the presence of a state commissioned traditional notary.
With a traditional notary public, such as walk-in and remote notaries, you will have to schedule a time and place to meet with your notary in person before notarization. You will also need to pay the appropriate fee, as required by the notary, and produce a valid form of identification at the time of signing.
How does PandaDoc Notary Work?
When you need to notarize your important document, taking advantage of Remote Online Notarization (RON) makes it easier than ever to capture your signatures without the hassle and fees associated with traditional notarization services. While RON is not currently permitted in the state of California, it is currently being considered and is likely to be passed into law soon.
With the ease, security, and flexibility that online notarization offers over walk-in and mobile notary services, RON is the clear choice when you need to notarize and store your important documents.
PandaDoc Notary provides a secure and user-friendly Remote Online Notarization platform that helps singers and notaries create, edit, eSign, and notarize documents at their convenience whenever they need access. The all-in-one platform makes it easier than ever to sign and notarize documents without the extra leg work that inherently comes with traditional notarization options.
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FAQ’s
How much can an online notary charge in Massachusetts?
A notary cannot legally charge for RON services in Massachusetts as the practice is not currently legal within the state.
There is no set fee that traditional notaries must adhere to when performing wet-ink notarizations in Massachusetts. This means that the notary can set their own fees, which may vary from one notary to the next.
How to notarize a document in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts notary law requires individuals to appear physically in person before a notary public at the time of notarization. Massachusetts does not currently allow remote online notarization or eSignatures on notarized documents.
To notarize a document in Massachusetts, you must first make time to meet with a walk-in or mobile notary in person and first pay the appropriate fee, as required by the notary. You will need to have your documents that you need notarized already prepared and ready to go, making sure that they are free of any mistakes or necessary changes.
At the time of notarization, the notary is legally required to verify the identities of all signers. This means that all signers must come prepared with a valid form of identification, which can include the following types of ID:
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- Military ID card
- Government-issued ID card
- Permanent resident card
Once the notary has verified the signer’s identities, all parties will have one final chance to review the document before applying a “wet ink” signature to the document.
What are the Massachusetts notarization requirements?
The state of Massachusetts requires all notarizations to be carried out in the physical presence of a state-commissioned notary public. This includes both walk-in and mobile notary services. While not as convenient as online notarization, traditional in-person notarization allows you to apply a wet-ink signature to the notarized document and retain a physical copy of your important documents.
To meet with a walk-in notary, you will need to locate a business or individual who provides notarization services to obtain notarization. Often, you can find notarization services available at the following types of businesses and institutions:
- Banks
- City and town clerk’s offices
- Courts
- Law and real estate offices
- Travel agencies
It is always a good idea to be sure to plan ahead and leave yourself some extra time, in case a commissioned notary is not available at the time you visit.
What are the notary laws in Massachusetts?
To notarize a document in Massachusetts all document signers must appear before a commissioned notary public to provide a wet-ink signature. Massachusetts does not currently allow for Remote Online Notarization (RON) or eSignatures to be used to notarize documents. Though this was temporarily permitted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it has since expired and is no longer permitted. Documents that were notarized online while it was legal are still considered legally valid, even though the order has expired.
What are the Massachusetts notary Laws?
Massachusetts does not currently allow for Remote Online Notarization (RON) or eSignatures to be used to notarize documents. Though this was temporarily permitted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it has since expired and is no longer permitted. Documents that were notarized online while it was legal are still considered legally valid, even though the order has expired.
If I notarize a document in Massachusetts, will it be recognized by other states?
Yes, any document that has been notarized in Massachusetts will be considered legally valid in all 50 states. This is true for both documents notarized traditionally, as well as documents that were notarized using Remote Online Notarization during the period where it was permitted.
Do I have to be in Massachusetts to use PandaDoc Notary services?
Remote online notarization in Massachusetts is currently not permitted, which means that PandaDoc Notary services are unfortunately not available in the state. Despite the fact that RON is not legal in Massachusetts, PandaDoc Notary offers a range of other features that anyone could find helpful, such as creating and eSigning documents.
What types of notarizations are permitted online in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, remote notaries are not currently authorized to perform remote online notarial acts.
Approved RON vendors in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, notary agents may utilize their choice of the following vendors:
The notary agent is responsible for determining if the vendor of their choice meets the current requirements in Massachusetts.
Disclaimer
The contents of this website are intended to convey general information only and not to provide legal advice or opinions. The information presented on this website may not reflect the most current legal developments. No action should be taken in reliance on the information contained on this website, and we disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this site to the fullest extent permitted by law. An attorney should be contacted for advice on specific legal issues and jurisdictions.