How to Become an Online Notary in Alabama

How Do You Become An Online Notary In Alabama?

Remote Ink Notarization is a process which became law on July 1, 2021, in Alabama allowing notaries to perform remote notarizations particularly for the purpose of acknowledgments only. Note that the signing of the instruments cannot use the Remote Ink Notarization process.Here are the essential steps to guide you in becoming a remote Notary in Alabama:

1. First, you must already hold a valid commission as a traditional Notary Public.
2. Next, carefully choose videoconferencing technology that aligns with the state’s prescribed requirements.

Once you’re authorized to perform in Alabama and approved and familiar with your platform, you can start performing Remote Ink Notarizations. Be sure to stay current with all your state-local Online Notary laws!

Find more info about Alabama Remote Ink Notarizations here.

How to Become a Traditional Notary in Alabama(Get your Notary Commission)

Alabama is making it easier for notary applicants to fill the application, as a result, ensuring equal rigor throughout the various counties of the state. That said, it is still vital for you to check with your county probate judge and learn whether there are any peculiar requests they might have such as perhaps coming up with a copy of your voter registration card. Check out the following, easy-to-follow procedures for Alabamans who desire to be Notaries Public:

1. Ensure you meet all the state’s qualifications (see below).
2. Complete the application form.
3. Make a photocopy of your Alabama Driver’s License.
4. Submit both the application and the copy of your license to your county’s Probate Office, accompanied by the $10 fee.
5. Within 30 days, finish the Notary training course and obtain the Course Completion Certificate.
6. Keep a close eye on your mailbox for the letter of appointment from the Probate Office, and make note of the date on it.
7. Secure a $50,000 surety bond.
8. Register your bond with the Probate Office within 40 days from the appointment letter’s date.
9. Present your Course Completion Certificate to the Probate Office.
10. The county will transmit your commission details to the Secretary of State.
11. Expect to receive your Notary commission certificate by mail.
12. Purchase your Notary seal, which can be an inking stamp or an embosser.
13. Consider obtaining a Notary journal and E&O (Errors and Omissions) insurance (optional but highly recommended).

Once you are through with all these steps and have got your commission, you may consider yourself as a commissioned notary public in Alabama and start doing your notarial acts.

How do you go about becoming a Notary in Alabama?

A person who wants to become a notary public in Alabama must fill up pre-determined career-related qualifications.

1. Reside in the Alabama county where the application is submitted.
2. Not be undergoing bankruptcy proceedings.
3. Have no prior convictions for felonies or crimes of moral turpitude.
4. Must not be under a current adjudication of incapacity.
5. Bear in mind, persons that live in another state and work in Alabama are not allowed to make an application for an Alabama Notary commission.

For further details, consult the Alabama Notary Public Guide or the Alabama SoS Website.

Are Online Notaries Legal in Alabama?

Yes, Alabama has the right of performing remote acknowledgments under Senate Bill 275. However, the notary must be physically in the State of Alabama while the notarial act takes place. This law enables the people in Alabama to make use of the newly introduced online notary process and thus be in a position to get the same advantages and the comfort of the remote notarization. Any kind of document or form which qualifies for notarization by a conventional notary can as well be notarized by a remote online notary. All the same, it is very essential to carefully go through your document’s particular requirements to achieve a flawless notarization process. This way, you can be on a real-time connection with a notary public who can guide you through the correct and safe notarization of your documents.

Alabama Online Notary FAQ’s

You need to meet Alabama’s requirements first if you want to provide your Notary services online, and one of these is that you have to be authorized with traditional Notary Public Commission. To be eligible, the Notaries must obey state legal requirements for being an officer, live in the county of application. and not.

Do keep in mind that any worker from a different state in the U.S. who is working in Alabama is automatically disqualified to get a notary public commission in Alabama.

Is Training or an Exam Required for Remote Notaries in Alabama?

No, neither training nor an exam is mandatory for conducting remote notarizations in Alabama.

What Instruments and Technology are Required for the Carrying Out of the Notarizations Remotely?

For an e-notarization to be carried out in Alabama in a virtual manner, a computer that is equipped with a webcam, a microphone and a secure internet connection is sufficient.As your computer is supposed to have the capacity to support the technologies of real-time two-way audio-video communication.

If notarization is done from a distance in Alabama, Notaries are still being asked to wet ink sign the document, so the use of a digital certificate or electronic signature is not obligatory.

Do I Need an Additional Surety Bond?

No, Alabama Notaries are not required to get a second bond only for remote notarizations. Though, you should talk to your bond provider about the issue of remote notarizations to find out if they are included in your existing bond.

Is an Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance Policy Necessary?

An Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not a requirement, but it is highly necessary for sure.A shield is a term often used to describe the E&O insurance policy which helps protect policyholders that act in error or are accused of doing such intentionally.This will stop someone from going after you for legal expenses and damages in the case of a notarization error.

What to Expect as a Notary?

Like all other careers, the quantum of work that will come your way as an online notary can be very high or very low. Usually, the most hectic time of the year is the tax season when all types of documents including tax returns need signing and notarizing. However, there is no dearth of work from businesses and individuals wanting authentication services throughout the year. At several businesses there is a genuine need on a daily basis for new documents to be notarized. That is a lot, right? 1.25 billion notarizations happen annually, did you know that?

It must be taken into account that becoming an online notary means you have to follow the rules of the state that are in force. These are basically about confirming the documents properly and having the right witnesses. Make certain that your documents include everything that is required. Many of the most effective online notaries devote some effort into attracting and selling to their own customer base, especially those who are doing it online.

How Much Can You Expect To Make as a Notary in Alabama?

Once you become more skilled and have notarized a lot of papers, you will start earning even more by doing loan signings (industry standard is $150 per meeting) and developing other innovative packages, and by billing clients directly without going through BlueNotary. Definitely, you will find that you are indeed able to earn a very decent income – all at your home office.

BlueNotary lets you bill your clients at your own rates. This makes your earnings very flexible depending on your ability to build a network.

Why Should You Think about Becoming An Online Notary In Alabama?

To be an Online Notary in Alabama is a straightforward way to give your customers from your location the services in a quick way and also safe. Online Notaries provide faster reservation, and the customer will have faster document completions! The service of working from home saves the time of the clients and also of yourself. So why delay?

How do I Start Notarizing Online in Alabama?

A great place to start is the BlueNotary Free Training Group. There you will find advice from other Alabama notaries who’ve been through the process and can answer your questions.

One of the ways to add to your income, as well as to add value to your community, is to become an online notary. An online notary, picking the place he/she is wanting to meet clients, enjoys the right to be the boss [draft-he/she], with whom he/she is most comfortable.

BlueNotary is the most fitting choice for the most hassle-free onboarding and for independent notaries who want to scale their businesses. There are also various training videos and a signing simulator that we provide to make you feel at ease with the process.

Register and get started here: Sign Up.