Online notarization in Virginia: Get your document notarized today

Yes. Notaries who are commissioned to practice online can perform Remote Online Notarization (RON) services in Virginia.

Virginia became the first state to legalize Remote Online Notarization (RON) law in 2013 under House Bill 2318/ Senate Bill 827. Online notarization in Virginia saw a 574% spike in use in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Online notaries in Virginia must possess a traditional notary commission in addition to successfully applying to perform remote services.

An online notary in Virginia can charge up to $25 per notarial act performed. This fee must be paid prior to the notarization, and is in addition the standard notary fee which may be up to $5 per notarial act, as stipulated by the notary.

To notarize a document in the state of Virginia, all document signers are required to appear before an actively commissioned notary public to sign and seal the document. In Virginia, businesses and individuals may choose to either use traditional notary services, such as walk-in and mobile notaries, or online using Remote Online Notarization.

Using an online notary in Virginia allows multiple individuals in different locations to meet with a fully commissioned state notary virtually, online. Similar to in person notarization, RON makes it possible for signers to apply their eSignatures to a document, while the notary adds their own signature and digital notary seal to their documents. This comes with many extremely useful benefits that include increased security and access to notarization services at a moment’s notice.

Documents that have been notarized online in Virginia will be considered legally admissible in all 50 states.

In Virginia, a document that has been notarized within full compliance of state notary law will be considered legally binding as soon as it is signed and notarized. While Virginia allows for both in-person and remote notarization, all forms require every signer to provide proof of identity in addition to paying the notary fee, as required by the notary public.

Online notaries in Virginia are required to contract through a state-approved RON provider, such as PandaDoc Notary, in addition to possessing an electronic stamp/ seal and paying a $45 application fee.

No, you can access PandaDoc Notary services from any state that allows the use of Remote Online Notarization (RON).

All you need to access PandaDoc Notary’s services is a reliable and secure internet connection, via a computer that has audio visual capabilities. PandaDoc Notary allows you to conveniently invite signers to your notarization session from wherever they are at, even allowing signers from different states to participate.

You no longer have to worry about scheduling a time and place where everyone can meet to sign and notarize your important documents. You can use PandaDoc Notary to connect with a commissioned Virginia notary to notarize your documents within minutes, however the amazing thing about RON is that it allows you to notarize your documents at a moment’s notice, no matter where you are.

Virignia notary law currently allows a document to be signed and notarized using a traditional “wet-ink” signature in addition to eSigning and digitally notarizing a document using a state-approved RON platform. To provide online notary services in Virginia, a notary must possess an active commission in the state in addition to successfully applying to perform RON services with the Secretary Of The Commonwealth.

Yes, any document notarized in Virginia, whether carried out in-person or online, will be recognized as legally binding in all 50 states. Documents that have been eSigned and notarized online will still be recognized in states that have not yet made online notarization legal.

As long as a document has been notarized within full compliance of local state law, by an actively commissioned notary public, the document will be legally valid from the time of notarization.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia requires all online notaries keep a record of each notarization carried out via two-way audio visual conference call. These records must be stored in an electronic register, or journal, which serves the same purpose as a traditional notaries journal. These registers will store crucial details such as the signers eSignatures, the notaries electronic seal, and a video record of the notarization.These electronic journal entries must be stored and kept accessible to all signing parties for a minimum of 5 years.

To notarize a document in Virginia, all document signers must appear in real-time before an actively commissioned notary public. This can be carried out using traditional notarization services, such as walk-in and mobile notaries, or can be done online using the services of a  remote online notary in Virginia.

At the time of the notarization, all signers will need to undergo some sort of identification verification, prior to signing the document. Walk in and mobile notaries will carry this out by personally verifying the signers documents, which can include the following forms of ID:

1. Driver’s license
2. Passport
3. Government-issued ID card
4. Permanent resident card

With Remote Online Notarization, this will be carried out via secure, online credential analysis and successful completion of a knowledge-based authentication (KBA) process. This added layer of security is unique to RON and helps to ensure your important notarized documents are protected against fraud and errors.

Both in-person and online notaries in Virginia may verify a signers identity if they have personal, prior knowledge of a signers identity. The state also allows for antecedent proof in the form of a third party individual who can confirm a signer’s identity, such as an employer, bank, or law firm.

Both in-person and online notary services may carry a fee that must be paid prior to notarization.

In Virginia, remote notaries are authorized to perform the following types of notarial acts:

• Taking acknowledgments: An official acknowledgment from a signer to a notary that a document has been willingly signed.
• Performing verification of fact: A notary reviews vital or public records to confirm facts regarding the attributes of a document or signer’s identity.
• Witnessing signatures: A notary appears to verify the identity of a document signer and witness the signing.
• Certifying a “true copy” of a record: A notary certifies that a copy of a document is true and accurate.
• Administering an oath or affirmation: A solemn promise of truthfulness by a signer or witness.
• Taking verification on an oath or affirmation: A notary witnesses an oath or affirmation that the contents of the document being signed are true.