Pavaso’s Launches Alternative for In-Person Notarization
May 8, 2020
Pavaso launched an alternative to in-person notarization that can be utilized in accordance with state emergency mandates and requirements.
Providing safe access to notary services during the COVID-19 pandemic, Essential Notary is a remote ink-signed notarization (RIN) solution that allows a signer and notary in different locations to complete the signing and notarization of real estate closing documents on paper.
Pavaso’s secure platform offers many built-in features that provide a superior customer experience for this signing option. A signer’s identity is validated through trusted, third-party identification verification services before the signing. Signers must correctly answer a set of knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions generated from their public and credit records, and use a smartphone to facilitate automated authentication of a government-issued photo ID. Each document is electronically reviewed on the platform so that any questions can be addressed. Additionally, Pavaso’s platform allows for multiple witnesses and observers to join the session as needed or required.
Unlike remote online notarization (RON), electronic signatures and notarizations are not used. Printed documents are provided to the signer(s) for wet ink signatures to be applied. Documents are signed in view of the webcam, while the notary witnesses the signing of each document requiring a signature. In some cases, the signer may need to hold the paper up to the camera for the notary to see it. When the signing session is complete, the signer(s) follow instructions for sending the documents to the notary for application of the seal. The platform can also capture, via webcam, the assembly and sealed packaging of the wet-signed documents for delivery to the notary, where necessary.
Pavaso encourages users to consult laws, regulations and executive orders applicable to each signing session. Users are solely responsible for all steps necessary to ascertain, determine, meet and verify compliance with all applicable orders, laws, regulations, rules and requirements governing any notarial or other execution of writings facilitated in whole or part through Pavaso’s Essential Notary or any other Pavaso technology. A function of state laws, regulations, state Executive Orders, or all, electronic notarization is not available in all areas.
Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or communications@alta.org.