The Unstoppable Rise of Online Notarization

While a 2022 report by Solidifi suggests that only 19% of consumers currently prefer Remote Online Notarization (RON) to traditional in-person closings, there’s A LOT more to the story. Various other research shows that the acceptance and demand for RON are growing. In this essay, I hope to present a more nuanced explanation of why RON is rapidly gaining traction, and we’ll frame this conversation within the perspective of the Technology Adoption Curve.

While online notarization gains traction, the search for in-person notary services persists. Queries like ‘Find Banks that Notarize Near Me‘ or ‘Get Documents Notarized After Hours‘ reflect this ongoing need for physical notarization options.

Many individuals specifically seek Chase bank notary services from established banks like Chase, wondering, ‘Do all banks have notaries ready to notarize documents?‘

Understanding this demand for in-person services alongside the surge in RON presents a dual narrative in the evolving notarization landscape. Knowing how to expertly ask for referrals as a notary becomes crucial in connecting those seeking traditional services with available resources.

tech adoption curve — Roger’s Bell Curve

Table of Contents

The Technology Adoption Curve: A Transformative Lens

Even if the Solidifi report suggests that RON is in the “Early Adopters” phase, that’s not the full narrative. The Innovation Adoption Curve theory explains that new technologies often snowball as they progress from “Early Adopters” to “Early Majority,” and eventually, to the “Late Majority.” Research from the Mortgage Bankers Association indicates that RON is currently accelerating toward the ‘tipping point’ of becoming mainstream.

The Convenience Quotient in a Digital World

In our increasingly digital world, consumers are favoring online services for everything from grocery shopping to international banking. According to a Harris Poll, 59% of people now complete professional services online more than they did pre-COVID, and a resounding 84% of respondents expressed a preference for continuing these services online rather than in person. Reports from firms like Forrester Research echo these sentiments, emphasizing that the digital convenience factor is powering the adoption of RON.

Building Trust through Enhanced Security

While there have been concerns about the security of online notarizations, advancements in technology are helping to quash these fears. Multi-factor authentication and data encryption are becoming standard features in RON platforms, gradually building consumer trust.

But that’s not all: the industry is now leveraging cutting-edge technologies like biometric scanning and AI-powered defensive screening methods to elevate the security level even further. These AI-based mechanisms have been shown to detect and prevent fraud more effectively than traditional notarization methods. As these technologies continue to evolve and offer superior protection, more consumers are likely to adopt RON, creating a positive feedback loop.

With this enhanced security layer, RON isn’t just exceeding the trust level of traditional notary services—it’s rendering it obsolete.

The Big Picture

The future of RON is brighter than ever. Folks are not only comfortable but are increasingly preferring to complete professional services online. Convenience, safety, and technological advancements are propelling RON from the periphery to the mainstream, and this trend is supported by a growing body of research. The question is not if RON will become the norm, but when.