Yes, in many situations.

The Tennessee online notary (me) must remain physically located in Tennessee during the notarization.

The signer may generally participate from:

• Tennessee

• Another U.S. state

• A military installation

• A location outside the United States

The signer’s location alone does not determine eligibility. The signer must also be able to complete the platform’s identity-verification process, and the document and receiving party must allow Remote Online Notarization.

 A government-issued ID, a computer with camera and microphone, and a reliable internet connection.

Immediately after your session, you’ll receive a secure PDF copy of your notarized document.

Most signers will need:

• The complete electronic document

• An eligible government-issued photo ID

• A compatible computer or mobile device

• A working camera and microphone

• Reliable internet access

• Access to email

• A private location

• The ability to communicate directly with the notary

Depending on the platform, you may also need:

• A Social Security number

• A current or former U.S. address

• Sufficient U.S. public-record or credit history

• The ability to answer identity-verification questions

• The ability to take a live photograph or selfie

Each additional signer or witness may need a separate email address, identification and identity-verification process.

Some real estate and loan documents may be completed through RON, but the lender, title company, settlement agent and recording office may have additional requirements.

Before scheduling, confirm:

• The lender or title company permits RON

• Electronic signatures are allowed

• The document can be electronically recorded or submitted

• The platform is acceptable to the parties

• Required witnesses can participate

• The completed electronic document will be accepted

Do not assume that an electronically notarized document can simply be printed and treated as an original paper document.

Some powers of attorney may be eligible for Remote Online Notarization.

Before scheduling, confirm:

• The document permits electronic signatures

• The receiving party accepts RON

• Whether witnesses are required

• Whether witnesses may participate remotely

• Whether a wet-ink original is required

• Whether the signer can complete identity verification

The person granting the authority generally needs to participate in the notarial session.

A notary cannot prepare the power of attorney, explain which powers should be granted or determine whether the document is legally appropriate.

Confirm that:

• The receiving party accepts Remote Online Notarization

• Electronic signatures are permitted

• Each signer has acceptable identification

• Each signer can complete the platform’s identity verification

• Required witnesses can participate

• The document does not require a wet-ink original

• The signer has compatible technology

• The signer has reliable internet access

• The complete document is available

Remote Online Notarization may not be suitable when:

• The receiving party requires an original wet-ink signature

• The document cannot be electronically signed

• The signer cannot pass identity verification

• The signer lacks acceptable identification

• Required witnesses cannot participate properly

• The signer does not have compatible technology

• The internet connection is not reliable

• The signer cannot communicate directly with the notary

• A foreign authority requires a different process

• The receiving organization will not accept RON

When RON is not a good fit, Knox Notary Co. may be able to provide an in-person mobile notary appointment in Knoxville or the surrounding East Tennessee area.

Tennessee permits a fee of up to $25 for each online notarization.

One document may contain more than one notarization. The number of documents, signatures and notarial acts are not always the same.

Before scheduling, provide:

• The complete document

• The number of signers

• The number of signatures requiring notarization

• The location of each signer

• Any witness requirements

Knox Notary Co. will review the information and provide the applicable price before the appointment.

Yes. The Remote Online Notarization platforms I currently use require a Social Security number or ITIN, along with sufficient current U.S. credit or public-record history, to complete the identity-verification process.

This is not a credit-score check. The information is used to generate identity-verification questions and confirm the signer’s identity.

If you do not have a Social Security number, ITIN, or sufficient U.S. credit/public-record history, please contact me before scheduling so I can let you know whether another option may be available.

The online notarization may not be able to proceed.

Depending on the document and your location, another verification method or an in-person notarization may be available.

Not necessarily. Remote Online Notarization is legally recognized in many situations, but the organization receiving the document may have its own requirements or policies regarding electronic signatures and remotely notarized documents.

A properly completed Remote Online Notarization does not guarantee that every bank, court, title company, government agency or other receiving party will accept the document.

Before scheduling, confirm that the receiving organization will accept an electronically signed and remotely notarized document