What must a California Notary Public do for remote notarization?

To conduct remote notarization in California, a Notary Public is required to follow specific laws and utilize approved technology. This is essential because remote notarization involves verifying the identity of the signer through electronic means, which must comply with California's legal requirements to ensure the integrity and security of the notarization process.

The specific laws governing remote notarization outline procedures for using audio-visual technology that allows the Notary to see and hear the signer in real-time. This ensures the Notary can confirm that the individual is willingly signing the document. Additionally, only technology that has been approved by the state can be used, which ensures that all remote notarizations are performed in a secure and reliable environment.

Collecting digital signatures alone or verifying the signer's location by phone, as well as sending hard copies of documents, do not fulfill the comprehensive legal requirements outlined for remote notarization. These alternatives do not ensure the same level of identity verification and risk mitigation necessary for valid remote notarizations.