How to Become an Online Notary in Indiana
Why Should You Think about Becoming An Online Notary In Indiana?
Becoming an Online Notary in Indiana 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 You Become An Online Notary In Indiana?
Commencing from March 31, 2020, Notaries in Indiana gained the ability to register for remote online notarizations (RONs). If you aspire to become a remote Notary in Indiana, adhere to the following outlined steps:
1. Hold an existing commission as a traditional Notary Public in Indiana.
2. Access or create an account on the Secretary of State’s website.
3. Complete the State’s Remote Notary Application.
4. Specify the state-approved RON technology provider(s) you intend to utilize.
5. Disclose any prior disciplinary actions or commission revocations, if applicable.
6. Successfully complete the mandatory state-approved training course and pass the associated exam.
7. Submit your application along with the corresponding certification.
8. Remit the $100 fee to the Secretary of State’s office.
9. Upon approval of your application, coordinate with your state-approved remote technology provider(s) to finalize the onboarding process.
Once you’re authorized to perform RON in Indiana and approved and familiar with your platform, you can start performing Remote Online Notarizations. Be sure to stay current with all your state-local Online Notary laws!
How to Become a Traditional Notary in Indiana (Get your Notary Commission)
To attain the designation of a Notary Public in Indiana, it is imperative to successfully navigate through the following steps:
- Verify your compliance with all qualifications as stipulated by Indiana state law (details provided below).
- Secure a $25,000 surety bond.
- Obtain an Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Record. Please note that you will have a 30-day window to fulfill the remaining steps.
- Visit the Indiana Secretary of State’s website to establish your account.
- Submit the requisite $75 application fee.
- Engage in the state-mandated educational course and successfully pass the examination.
- Duly complete the Notary Public application form.
- Upload both your bond certificate and an image of your signature.
- Proceed to receive your official Notary Public commission.
- Acquire your authorized Notary seal and fee schedule.
Once you have completed all these steps and obtained your commission you are ready to start performing notarial acts as a commissioned notary in Indiana.
What are the requirements to become a Notary in Indiana?
To become a Notary in Indiana, applicants must meet the following fundamental qualifications:
- To qualify as a Notary in Indiana, candidates must meet the following criteria:1. Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old.
- Citizenship or Permanent Residency: Applicants should be either U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents.
- Residency or Employment: You must be a resident of Indiana or primarily employed within the state.
- Valid Identification: Possess either an Indiana driver’s license, Indiana non-driver identification card, or an acceptable form of identification that verifies Indiana residence. Alternatively, provide proof of employment within the state of Indiana.
- Government Office Limitation: You cannot concurrently hold a lucrative federal or state government position.
- Criminal Conviction: Candidates should not have a criminal conviction resulting in a sentence exceeding six months of imprisonment.
For further details, consult the Indiana Notary Public Guide or the Indiana SoS Website.
Are Online Notaries Legal in Indiana?
Indeed, as of March 2020, Remote Online Notarization (RON) is fully sanctioned and legally permissible in Indiana. Remote notaries in Indiana are required to hold a traditional notary commission and successfully fulfill the state-mandated notary education course.
Indiana Online Notary FAQ’s
Requirements for Becoming a Remote Notary in Indiana
To obtain IN remote Notary authorization, you must currently hold a commission as a traditional Notary Public, with at least 90 days remaining before its expiration.
Traditional Notaries in Indiana must meet the following criteria: be at least 18 years old, a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States, and a resident or primarily employed in the state.
For a comprehensive understanding of the Indiana Notary registration process, including the necessary recent limited criminal history record check through the Indiana State Police, please refer to the step-by-step guide.
Training Requirements for Online Notaries
Indiana mandates that applicants complete a state-approved remote Notary education course to qualify as an online Notary Public. This three-hour online course covers remote notarization best practices and technology prerequisites.
Is there an Exam for Indiana Remote Notaries?
Yes, the state-required RON training course includes an exam that you must pass with a score of 80% or higher to receive a certificate of completion. This certificate is a prerequisite during the Secretary of State’s application process for Indiana remote Notaries.
Tools and Technology for Online Notarizations in Indiana
To perform online notarizations in Indiana, you will need a computer, webcam, microphone, and a secure internet connection. Your computer should support two-way audio and visual communication for conducting RON services. The Secretary of State’s approved RON technology providers like BlueNotary.
Indiana remote online Notaries must also possess a digital certificate featuring their signature, an electronic seal, and an electronic journal, all of which can be provided by the chosen remote Notary vendor(s) of your preference.
Is an Additional Surety Bond Required?
No, remote Notaries in Indiana are not obligated to obtain a second surety bond. However, traditional Notaries in the state must hold a $25,000 surety bond to safeguard the public.
E&O Insurance in Indiana
While Indiana does not mandate errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, it is highly recommended. This insurance policy can provide coverage for unintentional errors made by the Notary. If you already possess an E&O policy, you should verify whether it covers electronic notarial acts and remote online notarizations.
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 who are doing it online.
How Much Can You Expect To Make as a Notary in Indiana?
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.
How do I Start Notarizing Online in Indiana?
A great place to start is the BlueNotary Free Training Group. There you will find advice from other Indiana notaries who’ve been through the process and can 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 for independent notaries looking to grow their own businesses. We even have training videos and a signing simulator to get you comfortable with the process.
Register and get started here: Sign Up.