eSigning vs. Online Notarization: What’s the Difference?

While you are looking at ways to streamline business processes and keep up with a world that is moving towards digital technology, you may be considering options like electronic signatures (eSigning) and online notarization (RON). In the meantime, we have some similarities in the forms of technology that enable people to sign their necessary documents electronically (and quite often they also need a Digital Certificate), with a couple of differences in the application of the necessary tools than are identifiable.

On the subject of human-computer interaction, eSigning can be considered one of the simpler ones in the process.
E-signature (eSigning) is a type of e-process that signifies an individual’s consent to the content of a document, e.g. a typed name, electronic signature, or a click to agree, etc. Online notarization is the process of notarizing electronic documents by a commissioned notary public and this is a more potent level of verification and fraud prevention for legal papers.

Big majority of legal documents require a notary and now this is available online. In case the document you need to sign is for an important cause or this document may be the subject for court examination, online notarization is the most obvious route than eSigning only. Indeed, it is a sign of security evolving from a personal signing. By that, I am saying human signatures are taken to a totally different level.

This article will focus in detail the differences between these two digital options as well as offer the right moments to use one option over the other.

eSigning: Electronically Sign Documents Anywhere

Through eSigning, documents can be signed electronically using any location in fact, it is a computer or a mobile device that assists in the signing of the document. The truth is, everything gets done in the way through these tools.
It can’t be denied that as a professional sooner or later you will have been or will be asked to e-sign a PDF document.
For eSigning, an email with a link to a document to be signed will be sent to you. You only need to click to open the document, make a new electronic signature, or upload an existing one, and then give your signature to the document. The digital signature that you use is considered a legal signature and can be very useful in the way business processes can be easier, faster, less costly, and more environmentally friendly. (not to mention driving, sending, or whatever method of deliver).

There are several benefits of eSigning, including:

Convenience – Sign documents remotely without printing or scanning.
Speed – Signing is instant and automated. No more mailing contracts back and forth.
Security – eSignatures use authentication to verify your identity and encrypt documents to protect sensitive data.
Legality – eSignatures are legally valid and enforceable for most documents under federal and state law. Some exceptions apply, like for wills or real estate contracts.

Cost saving – Go paperless and save time, resources and money. eSigning reduces costs associated with printing, mailing, and storage.

Save Trees! – Start saving the environment 1 piece of paper at a time! Did we mention paperless?

It is remarkably vital and obligatory for every startup or well-established enterprise, however, to clear the air, eSigning is different from online notarization. eSigning is only a signature, while an online notarization employs live audio-video communication to establish your legal identity for electronically notarized documents. That is to say, eSigning is a matter of choice in most cases. However, in any case, you need a notary seal, you should choose online notarization as it is the only available way. In the majority of everyday cases, eSigning is a perfect solution.
eSigning vs. Online Notarization? When to Choose which.

Online Notarization: Remotely Notarize Documents With a Licensed Notary

When we desire to have the notary legal documents remotely, we’ll search for online notarization exclusively. E-notarization provides you with the opportunity to contact a licensed notary through a video call and thus have them notarize your document.

If a notary is really licensed. The first thing you should do is to make it clear to the notary that you would like to see the notary’s card and that the person is currently licensed and authorized to notarize in your state. Moreover, the notary’s license must be valid and in good standing. A trustworthy and secure online notarization solution, for example, BlueNotary will perform these checks for you; the legit providers will put the information at your fingertips.
Choose a convenient time for the online meeting or start notarizing immediately. Most online notarization solutions also allow you to schedule a notary video call at your most convenient time; an example of such a platform is BlueNotary, among others. The process of notarization via such platforms is actually on demand, which is even more convenient. The typical call duration can span from the shortest one of 15 to the longest of 30 minutes, depending on the nature of the case.

It is also preferable for your valid government-issued ID to be readily available. When a digital verification process is used, the system/notary is obliged to confirm that you are indeed the person you claim to be. Unexpired official photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or similar, should be promptly presented.

Now, it’s your turn to sign and share your documents. You can use screen sharing to demonstrate to the notary what documents you have and sign them live while he notarizes them with the eSeal and Digital Certificate. According to the law, the notary needs to verify if the signers/commissioners are the same ones as the one on picture IDs, so the signers should have a valid, government-issued photo ID, e.g., a driver’s license or a passport.

Always keep the original copy. These will be the first ones generated from the website, where one can find and download them. The link will be sent to you via email. With the help of a Digital Certificate, they will be automatically converted to an unmodifiable version. They can be stored for future verification. That being said, some systems can make the original documents accessible along with the audio and video recordings within 10 years, while others may provide them for just a week.

The signer calls an online notary and reserves a time for a video call.

The signer sends the documents to be signed to the notary before the call via email.

During the appointed time, the signer and notary get connected using secure video conferencing technology. The notary confirms the identity of the signer by checking the ID, that is by the means of the camera, and signs up with the government.

The signer appears on the document by means of a camera; this action is observed by the notary.

The notary completes the notarization process, signs the documents electronically, and sends the finalized documents to the signer via email.
The video call is recorded for the notary’s records. A combination of audio and visual feeds is used by notaries to confirm identities and watch the signing ceremony, which is mandatory according to law.

Digital signatures and seals are an effective preventive measure for imposter activities because the notarization can be checked to ensure that the document is actually genuine.

Convenience – Signers can self-notarize from any location without the need for in-person visitation.

Accessibility – The service of online notarization is in particular useful for people that cannot move or not of immediate accessibility.

Efficiency – The procedure is frequently shorter since the signers neither need to go nor stand in a queue.

Security – Cheating can be prevented by either of the following: using multiple authentication methods or recording the ceremony, and this helps the notary as well as the signatories to validate the legal performance of notarization.

Cost-effectiveness – Online notarization leads to lower expenses for both the signers and the notaries.
Concluding “Sign” Off