Starting January 1, 2021, Notaries in Alaska can apply to perform remote online notarizations (RONs). If you want to become an AK remote Notary, take the following steps.
- Hold an existing commission as a traditional Notary Public.
- Contract with a RON technology provider that meets state requirements.
- Notify the Lieutenant Governor. You must submit a copy of the signature and seal that will be used for your remote online notarizations with your written notice to the Lt. Gov.
In This Guide: Alaska RON Requirements | About RON in Alaska | Additional FAQs
Requirements to be a Remote Online Notary in Alaska
Before you can register to perform RONs, you must first meet the state's requirement of holding an existing traditional Notary Public commission. Notaries must be at least 18 years old, be a legal U.S. resident and be a resident of Alaska for at least 30 days with the intent to remain indefinitely.
You must not have been convicted or incarcerated for a felony in the 10 years before your commission takes effect nor have had your commission revoked for failure to obey the law, incompetence or malfeasance in the past 10 years.
Is training or an exam required to become a remote Notary?
No, Alaska does not require training nor an exam to become a remote online Notary.
What technology and supplies do I need to perform online notarizations in Alaska?
Alaska Notaries must have a computer, webcam, microphone and secure internet connection. Your computer must be able to support a live two-way audio-visual feed. Next, you'll need to contract with a RON provider that meets state requirements. The following vendors have been listed on the Lt. Gov.'s website: BlueNotary, Cyberize It, Digital Delivery, Inc., DocuSign, DocVerify, LiveNotary, Notarize, NotaryCam and SIGNiX. Make sure to check the Lt. Gov.'s website before signing up with any of the above vendors.
You'll also need to purchase your remote Notary supplies, including an electronic journal, electronic seal and digital certificate containing your electronic signature. These must all be compliant with your chosen RON provider.
In addition, a hardcopy journal is required to keep a recording of both your traditional and remote notarial acts.
Do I need another surety bond?
No, you don't need a second surety bond in addition to the $2,500 bond required for your traditional Notary commission. However, it's recommended to check with your bond provider to ensure your policy covers remote notarizations.
Is an E&O insurance policy required in Alaska?
No, an errors and omissions (E&O) policy is not a requirement for Alaska remote Notaries. Although an E&O policy would save you from costly lawsuits should you make an unintentional mistake on a notarized document.
About Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Alaska
Learn how RONs work and how they compare to traditional notarizations below.
Does Alaska allow remote online notarization?
Yes, a new bill took effect on January 1, 2021, allowing Alaska Notaries to register to perform remote online notarizations for signers in any location. The only requirement is that the Notaries themselves must be physically located within the state at the time of the notarial act.
How do remote online notarizations work?
Remote notarizations transform paper documents handled in person into digital documents signed and reviewed remotely using a dedicated RON platform. During an online notarization, the Notary verifies the signer's identity through the use of 1) personal knowledge, 2) satisfactory evidence by oath or affirmation from a credible witness appearing before the Notary, or 3) satisfactory evidence of the signer's identity via a government-issued ID, a credential analysis of the ID, and at least one type of identity proofing.
It's important to note that if the signer leaves before the identity verification process is complete, the signer must restart the identity proofing process from the beginning.
The Notary and signer meet on camera and the Notary confirms the signer's awareness and willingness to sign the document. Then, the signer uses an electronic signature to sign the document and the Notary checks the document for blanks. From there, the Notary completes the notarial certificate, applies an electronic seal and attaches a digital certificate containing their electronic signature.
The notarization is marked complete when the Notary saves an entry in their journal and an audio-video recording of the session.
Alaska Notaries may notarize for signers located in any location as long as the Notaries themselves are physically located within the state at the time of notarization.
What notarizations can be done remotely in Alaska?
The following notarial acts can be performed remotely:
- Administering oaths and affirmations
- Taking acknowledgments
Additional RON FAQs
Have more questions on being a remote Notary in The Last Frontier? We've got you covered.
How much does it cost to register as a virtual Notary?
The cost of becoming a remote online Notary ranges from below $100 to a couple of hundred dollars, depending on the companies you choose to work with plus other factors.
For instance, you'll need to pay any sign-up fees associated with your preferred RON vendor and the cost of your digital supplies, including your electronic seal and digital certificate.
The state also charges a registration fee to become an online Notary. If you're at the beginning of a four-year commission, the registration fee is $100. If you're somewhere in the middle of your commission, the registration fee is $25 per year.
If you have an optional surety bond or recommended E&O policy, you'll need to consider the cost of maintaining those policies as well. You'll also need to factor in the cost of a computer, webcam, microphone and secure internet access if you don't already have those items.
How much can AK remote Notaries charge for their services?
Alaska does not currently provide any information on how much remote Notaries can charge, but we will update this page when that information becomes available.
How long does it take to become an online Notary in Alaska?
It can take up to six weeks to become a remote online Notary in Alaska. A majority of that time will be spent on becoming a commissioned traditional Notary Public.
Once you're commissioned, you'll spend one day choosing a RON technology provider and getting your remote Notary supplies and one day completing and submitting your application to the Office of Lt. Governor.
How long will my remote Notary commission last?
Your remote Notary authorization runs concurrently with your traditional Notary Public commission. You'll need to renew both your traditional commission and remote authorization at the same time if you want to continue performing RONs.
Will RON services grow my AK Notary business?
Yes, becoming an online Notary and joining a RON platform can help grow your business. As a remote Notary, you'll be able to notarize documents for signers in any location. The only requirement is to be physically located in the state of Alaska at the time of notarization.
You may want to consider becoming a certified Notary Signing Agent (NSA) if you want to expand your business even further. Getting your NSA certification can make you eligible to receive more RON assignments and assures RON service providers you've passed a current background screening.
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Last updated: June 21, 2023