Remote Ink Notarization: Another Way to Notarize Remotely

When you hear the words remote notarization, you may picture an online platform, electronic documents, digital signatures, and electronic notary seals or stamps. But there is another form of notarization that many notaries may not be familiar with: remote ink notarization, commonly known as RIN.

With RIN, the notary and signer are in different locations and communicate through live audio-video communication technology. The signer signs the document and transmits it to the notary as permitted by their state’s notary law. The notary then completes the notarial certificate, signs it with a pen, applies their physical notary seal or stamp, and transmits the notarized document back to the signer.

The Rise of Remote Ink Notarization (RIN)

Remote ink notarization (RIN) was widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many states temporarily authorized notarizations to be performed without requiring the signer and notary to be in the same physical location. Although some of those temporary authorizations have expired, several states have since enacted laws that continue to permit RIN. As a result, RIN has evolved from a temporary pandemic-era solution into a permanent notarization option in some states.

How Is Remote Ink Notarization (RIN) Different From Remote Online Notarization (RON)?

• Document Format — RIN is performed on paper documents, while RON is performed on electronic documents.
• Signatures and Seals — With RIN, the notary signs the paper notarial certificate with a pen and affixes their physical notary stamp or seal. With RON, the notary applies an electronic signature and electronic seal or stamp to the electronic notarial certificate, which is attached to or logically associated with the electronic record.
• Tamper-Evident Technology — RON uses tamper-evident technology designed to render any subsequent change or modification to the electronic record evident. RIN does not use this technology.
• Technology — Many states allow RIN to be performed using any audio-video conferencing technology such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet. RON generally requires a specialized platform or technology that meets state requirements.
• Identification Requirements — With RIN, some states allow the notary to verify the signer’s identity by viewing an acceptable identification document over live audio-video communication. With RON, a signer who presents an identification document must pass technology-based identity verification, such as credential analysis and identity proofing.
• Document Delivery — With RIN, the signer transmits the signed document to the notary, who completes the notarization and returns the notarized paper document to the signer. With RON, the document is notarized electronically during the online session and can generally be downloaded by the signer immediately after the notarization is completed.
• Types of Notarial Acts — Some states place more limits on which notarial acts may be performed with RIN than with RON.
• Signer’s Location — With RIN, the signer generally must be physically located within the state where the notary is commissioned. With RON, the signer may generally be located anywhere in the world.

Benefits of Offering Remote Ink Notarization (RIN) Services

Depending on the laws and rules of the state where the notary is commissioned, offering remote ink notarization (RIN) services may provide several benefits:

• Expanded Service Options — RIN gives clients another option to meet with a notary when an in-person appointment is not convenient.
• Paper-Based Notarization — RIN can be especially useful for clients who cannot meet in person but prefer or need a paper document notarized with the notary’s handwritten signature and physical stamp or seal.
• Reduced Travel — RIN may eliminate the need for the signer or notary to travel to an in-person appointment.
• Lower Technology Costs — In states that allow common video-conferencing tools, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, RIN can be less expensive because it may not require a subscription to a specialized remote notarization platform.

Things to Consider Before Offering RIN Services

RIN laws and requirements vary by state. Before offering RIN services, confirm:

• Whether your state allows remote ink notarization.
• Whether registration or additional authorization is required.
• How the signer’s identity must be verified.
• Where the remote signer may be located.
• What communication technology may be used.
• What types of notarial acts may be performed using RIN.
• Whether certain documents are excluded from RIN.
• How and when the signed document must be transmitted to the notary and returned to the signer.
• How long the audio-video recording must be retained.

An Option Worth Knowing About

Technology is changing the way notaries serve the public, and RIN is an important part of that change. It offers a practical and cost-effective way to perform certain notarial acts remotely while continuing to notarize paper documents using handwritten signatures and a physical notary stamp or seal.