How Do You Become An Online Notary In Delaware?
Commencing from August 1, 2023, Notaries in Delaware gained the ability to register for remote online notarizations (RONs). If you aspire to become a remote Notary in Delaware, adhere to the following outlined steps:
- Be a traditional Delaware Notary Public.
- Log into your Notary Profile account on the Department of State’s website.
- Indicate your interest in remote notarization.
- Choose your technology provider.
- The State will notify the vendor.
- Work with the vendor for setup and payment.
Once you are approved, you are able to begin performing Remote Online Notarization!
How to Become a Traditional Notary in Delaware (Get your Notary Commission)
To attain the designation of a Notary Public in Delaware, it is imperative to successfully navigate through the following steps:
- Eligibility Check: First, confirm you meet all the requirements for obtaining a Notary commission in Delaware.
- Payment Preparation: Before beginning your application, ensure you have a method of electronic payment ready, such as an electronic check or credit card.
- Online Registration: Register for an account online using a valid email address. This is necessary to apply for your Notary commission.
- Application Completion: Fill out the Notary commission application form accurately and thoroughly.
- Submit Application and Fee: Once your application is complete, submit it along with the required fee of $60 to the Delaware Secretary of State.
- Commission Certificate: After receiving your commission certificate via email, print it out and add your signature.
- Oath of Office: Visit an existing Notary Public to take and affirm your oath of office.
- Return Commission Copy: Send a copy of your signed commission certificate back to the Notary Public Section at the Secretary of State’s office, as detailed in the instructions provided in your commission email.
- Acquire Notary Tools: Finally, purchase your Notary seal and journal, essential tools for your duties as a Notary Public.
Once you have completed all these steps and obtained your commission you are ready to start performing notarial acts as a commissioned notary in Delaware.
What are the requirements to become a Notary in Delaware?
To become a Notary in Delaware, applicants must meet the following fundamental qualifications:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Residency Status: They should either be legal residents of Delaware or non-residents who are employed in the state.
- Citizenship and Language Proficiency: Applicants must be either U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents, and possess the ability to read and write English fluently. Additionally, they should not be barred from receiving a commission under the stipulations of 29 DC § 4334.
- Criminal Record Restrictions: A history of felony convictions disqualifies an individual, unless their rights have been formally restored.
- Integrity Considerations: Any convictions for crimes that involve dishonesty or moral turpitude also render an individual ineligible for a Notary commission.
For further details, consult the Delaware Standards and Guidelines – Notary Public or the Delaware SoS Website.
Are Online Notaries Legal in Delaware?
As of August 1, 2023, Delaware proudly stands as the 44th state to have permanently implemented Remote Online Notarization (RON). This significant advancement in notarial practice was officially announced on September 9, 2022, and has since revolutionized the way notarizations are conducted within the state.
This modernization allows signers and notaries to engage in notarization sessions through video conferencing technology, providing a convenient and efficient alternative to traditional in-person notarizations. The adaptation of RON in Delaware not only streamlines the notarization process but also significantly enhances accessibility for individuals and businesses alike.
Moreover, Delaware’s RON legislation includes a provision for the mutual recognition of notarizations performed in other states with similar RON laws. This feature fosters a more integrated and seamless approach to notarization across various state jurisdictions, further enhancing the utility and reach of Delaware’s notarial services.
What do Online Notaries in Delaware Need to Know?
Here’s the information formatted as a list for notaries, effective from August 1, 2023:
- Remote/Electronic Notarial Acts Authorization:
Notaries Public commissioned in Delaware will be eligible to request the ability to perform notarial acts via remote or electronic means. To check on official requirements and request the ability reach out to: [email protected] - Approved Technologies:
Notarizations must be performed using technologies approved by the State of Delaware Notary Department.
Here you can find a list of approved technologies. - Journal Requirements:
The notary journal serves as the official record of notarial transactions. Required entries in the journal are consistent for both paper and electronic formats, differing only in the method of recording. Detailed Journal Requirements on the Delaware SoS website.
Once you’re authorized to perform RON in Delaware and approved and familiar with your platform, you can start performing Remote Online Notarizations. Be sure to stay current with all your states local Online Notary laws!
Delaware Notary FAQ’s
Can a non-resident of Delaware apply for a commission as a notary public?
Non-residents are indeed eligible to apply for a commission as a notary public in Delaware, provided they fulfill specific criteria:
- Eligibility Consistency: Non-resident applicants must meet the same eligibility requirements as Delaware residents. This ensures uniform standards for all notaries public in the state.
- Delaware Employment: Applicants must maintain either an office or a regular place of employment within Delaware, establishing a professional connection to the state.
- Address Requirements: A residential address and a Delaware employment address must be provided. All addresses should include a street address for accurate and official documentation.
- Email Communication: As part of the online application process, applicants must create an email address. This is crucial since all official correspondence, including commission certificates and renewal notices, will be conducted electronically.
- Online Profile Creation: Establishing a notary profile on the Secretary of State’s website is a mandatory step for all applicants.
- Application Submission: Applicants are required to submit their application via the Secretary of State’s online system. This streamlined process ensures efficiency and accessibility.
- Mandatory Application Details: During the application process, it’s imperative to answer every question marked with an asterisk (*), as these are essential for the application’s completeness.
- Application Fee: A non-refundable fee of $60 is required for application processing, an investment towards the notary commissioning process.
- Oath of Office: Finally, the oath of office must be notarized, and a copy of this notarized oath must be returned to the Secretary of State as a part of the official record and completion of the commissioning process.
By meeting these requirements, non-residents can successfully apply for and obtain a commission as a notary public in Delaware.
What to Expect as a Notary?
As in other professions, the amount of work an online notary receives can vary widely. Generally the busiest time is tax season, when documents such as tax returns need to be signed and notarized. However, there is also a steady demand throughout the year from businesses and individuals in need of authentication services. There are many businesses that need consistent notarizations. Did we mention there are over 1.25 billion notarizations performed annually?
It is important to remember that when working as an online notary, you are responsible for adhering to the regulations set forth by the state. This includes making sure documents are properly notarized and witnessed. Always ensure documents contain all of the necessary information. The most successful online notaries spend some time doing their own client acquisition and sales funneling, especially those that are doing it online.
How Much Can You Expect To Make as a Notary in Delaware?
As you gain more experience and have notarized more documents, you will be able to earn even more by taking on loan signings (where the industry standard is $150 per session) and other creative packages and invoicing clients outside of BlueNotary. You will be able to earn a very decent income – all from the comfort of 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 Delaware
Becoming an Online Notary in Delaware is a simple way to offer convenient services and secure services to clients from wherever you are. Online Notaries offer faster booking and easier document completion turnaround times! Save clients and yourself time by working from home. What are you waiting for?
How do I Start Notarizing Online in Delaware?
A great place to start is the BlueNotary Free Training Group. There you will find advice from other Delaware notaries who’ve been through the process and can answer help answer your questions.
Becoming an online notary can be a great way to supplement your income and make a positive impact on the community. As an online notary, you get to decide which platform to use for finding clients.
BlueNotary is the best option for super simple onboarding and the independent notary looking to grow their own business. We even have training videos and a signing simulator to get you comfortable with the process.
Register and get started here: Sign Up.
