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eNotarizationThe Premise, The Promise,
The Reality, The Future
A presentation at the
2012 Annual Conference of the
Electronic Signature and Records Association
November 2012
A notary is a notary is a notary,no matter what pen is
used to notarize.
The Premise
SECTION 11 --- If a law requires a signature or record to be notarized, acknowledged, verified, or made under oath, the requirement is satisfied if the electronic signature of the person authorized to perform those acts, together with all other information required to be included by other appli-cable law, is attached to or logically associated with the signature or record.
ULC Comment“This section permits a notary … to act electronically … [T]his Act … simply
allows the signing and information to be accomplished in an electronic medium.”
Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA)
Promise – Uniform State Law
NOTARIZATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
If a statute, regulation, or other rule of law requires a signature or record relating to a transaction…to be notarized, that requirement is satisfied if the electronic signature of the person authorized to perform those acts…is attached to or logically associated with the signature or record.
Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN)
Promise – Federal Law
More Uniform Laws… Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act (URPERA)
Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA)
Industry Papers National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS)
American Bar Association (ABA)
Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS)
Promise
Official and Unofficial Position Statements
Secretaries of State
Notary public administrators
Attorneys general
Other state government agencies
Proprietary Solutions Private companies with in-house solutions
Vendors
Promise
States that permit eNotarization today
CA, CO, FL, KS, MN, NC, NM, PA, TX, UT, VA
States that have mandatory enrollment programs
CO, MN, NC, NM, PA, VA
State initiatives that are just a little different
DE, VA
States that say NIMBY (Not in my back yard!)
States that have not even considered the possibility
Reality - State
It is difficult, if not impossible, to find someone in state government:
Who has heard of UETA, ESIGN, URPERA, or RULONA.
Who agrees that “Electronic notaries are nothing special, just a notary using a tool other than a pen for signatures.”
Who agrees that UETA already provides the states with the authority necessary to empower notaries to act as electronically enabled notaries.
Who does not think that the NASS standards must be followed for effective, secure eNotarization to take place.
Who does not think that their state needs additional enabling legislation and regulation to effect eNotarization in their state.
Reality - State
The typical notary appointing authority either does not understand the technology or does not believe their current systems will accommodate the technology.
80% of notaries are employed by someone who will pick the eNotary technology for them.
PKI (Pretty Konfusing Infrastructure?)
Digital certificates
XML
Reality - Technology
Do you understand how an ATM works?
Do you care how it works as long as you get your money?
Why does eNotarization need to be more difficultthan getting money from an ATM?
Reality - Technology
Why do we call this concept “eNotarization” or “electronic notarization?” Why does it need a special moniker?
eNotarization is no more than a standard arm’s-length notarization executed using an electronic process instead of a pen to create a
signature.
The notary’s surety bond and E&O insurance underwriters have taken the stance that there is no need for an amended or additional
coverage for electronically completed notarial acts.
Reality - Education
De facto industry standard A solution is so widely adopted, business and government
must recognize it as the generally accepted practice.
Legal precedent A challenge is decided in court, establishing a legal
standard from case law.
An agreement with the state appointing authorities A little push, a little pull, a little give-and-take, so both sides
are comfortable at the end of the day.
Future
Perhaps we need a different conversation?
The current ideas are not working!
No more notary experts, lawyers, technologists, government officials and consultants
A conversation on the psychology of change and how to effect change in the marketplace
A conversation on the “diffusion of innovation” or “inflection points”
Future
A public or private entity drives the adoption of a solution across
industries and markets.
Will ESRA be that champion?
Future
A notary is a notary is a notary,no matter what pen is
used to notarize.
The Premise
Marc L. AronsonPresident and CEO
Pennsylvania Association of NotariesOne Gateway Center, Suite 401
420 Fort Duquesne Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1498
800-944-8790 www.notary.org
Thank you!
