Reasons Why You Would Need A Remote Notary While Travelling

Have you ever found yourself overseas with a document you need notarized ASAP?

It’s more common than you might think. The real estate deal of a lifetime comes across your desk. Your neighbor wants to grant you a power of attorney. And now you have a problem: where do you find a notary?

Fortunately, the game has changed with remote online notarization services for travellers.

The thing is…

What You’ll Discover:

• Why Travellers Need Remote Notarization
• The Most Common Documents That Need Notarizing Abroad
• How Remote Online Notarization Works For Travellers
• The Benefits Of Using RON Services While Travelling

Why Travellers Need Remote Notarization

Life doesn’t pause just because you step on a plane.

Transactions still need to close. Legal documents still have to be signed. Documents still require that magic notary seal. But the problem is that, for most documents, traditional notarization still means being physically present in the same room with a commissioned notary public.

This poses a problem for frequent travellers, whether for business or pleasure. If you’re on the other side of the world and an important closing date is looming, you might have to cut your trip short or find a solution. The same goes if you receive notification while on vacation that a critical legal document needs notarizing ASAP.

That’s when remote online notarization services step in. With these services, you can connect with a notary via secure video conference technology from anywhere in the world.

If that wasn’t enough, remote notarization services are also catching on fast. As of January 2024, according to Old Republic Title, 44 states had enacted RON legislation. Since then, that number has grown to cover about 90% of the US with permanent authorization.

That’s pretty crazy, if you ask me.

This broad availability of remote notarization in the US means that travellers can more easily get access to legitimate notary services without having to track down a US Embassy or cancel their international trip.

The Most Common Documents That Need Notarizing Abroad

Some documents are more time sensitive than others.

When travellers need notarization overseas, the following are typically the culprits:

• Real estate transactions – Buying or selling property will almost always have notarized signatures required on closing documents, deeds, and mortgage paperwork.
• Power of attorney – Granting legal authority to someone on your behalf while travelling or living abroad.
• Affidavits and sworn statements – Legal declarations notarized for court proceedings.
• Trust documents – Estate planning paperwork.
• Business contracts – Time-sensitive agreements.

Each of these is high stakes, and each of them can put the pressure on if you are on the other side of the world.

So, if you are needing notarization services, the traditional alternative is to make an appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate. But…..

Embassy hours are limited. Appointments can take weeks to schedule. And according to the US Department of State, the notarization fee is typically $50 per document.

Remote notarization solves all of these issues.

How Remote Online Notarization Works For Travellers

The actual process is easier than you might think.

Simply connect to a secure online platform with a computer, tablet, or smartphone. The traveller joins a live video session with a commissioned notary public. Identity is verified through knowledge-based authentication and credential analysis.

Identity confirmed, the document is signed electronically. The notary applies their digital seal and signature. And it’s done.

The entire process can take as little as a couple of minutes.

One final bit to keep in mind with remote notarization for travellers is that it works across time zones.

Most RON platforms provide 24/7 service, meaning a traveller in Tokyo can get a document notarized at 3AM local time if need be. No need to wait for business hours to open up. No need to reschedule flights or trips around notary availability.

The technology also uses advanced encryption and security measures to protect personal information. Sessions are recorded and stored, providing a tamper-proof audit trail that offers more security than with paper-based notarizations.

The Benefits Of Using RON Services While Travelling

Remote online notarization offers so many benefits for the traveling public. The following are a few of the top ones:

• Convenience – Remote notarization is convenient. It doesn’t require finding a physical location in a foreign city or changing travel plans. Simply connect from your hotel room, airport lounge, or rental property and you’re done.
• Speed – What used to take days or weeks (if not longer) can now be accomplished in minutes. Time-sensitive documents can be processed immediately.
• Cost savings – You save money by not having to change flights, extend hotel stays, or pay embassy fees. All of that adds up, even if it is just one document that needs notarizing while overseas.
• Security – The digital identity verification, encrypted sessions, and video recording of transactions all provide a level of protection that paper notarizations don’t. Plus, that audit trail is ironclad.
• Accessibility – As long as there’s internet and a device with a camera, getting notarized is possible from just about anywhere. That’s how flexible it is.

That’s why the adoption of remote notarization has been skyrocketing in recent years.

When Embassy Notarization Still Makes Sense

Remote online notarization is good for most use cases. There are some exceptions.

Foreign governments and institutions can still have a requirement for apostille certification on traditional notarization.

The Hague Convention, an international treaty, governs how notarized documents get authenticated for use abroad. Countries that are signatories to this convention will accept an apostille as verification.

If the receiving institution is in a foreign country that doesn’t have electronic notarization, then that’s when embassy notarization might be required.

Always confirm with the receiving party first. If the document will be used in the US, then RON is widely accepted and legally binding.

Real Estate Transactions While Travelling

Real estate never sleeps.

Closing dates have to be met. Mortgage documents need to get signed. And if you are thousands of miles away when that next deal comes along, it used to mean having to return early or delay transactions and leaving everyone involved disappointed.

Remote notarization has come to the rescue for real estate professionals. From signing purchase agreements and deeds of trust to seller disclosures, travellers can now complete these documents without having to fly back to the US.

This matters because real estate transactions move on tight timelines. If a signing deadline is missed, a deal can be lost altogether. Remote online notarization services provide the flexibility to keep those transactions moving forward no matter where the signatory happens to be located.

Preparing For Remote Notarization While Travelling

A little preparation goes a long way, as they say.

For travellers who know that they will want to access remote notarization services while abroad, the following are a few simple things you can do to prepare.

• Make sure that your location has reliable internet connectivity
• Have a valid government-issued ID on hand for identity verification
• Review all documents in advance so you know what needs to be signed
• Find a quiet, well-lit space to use for the video session
• Test the camera and microphone on your device before your appointment

Taking these steps will help to prevent technical glitches and keep the remote notarization process running smoothly.

Wrapping It Up

Remote online notarization is revolutionizing how travellers approach time-sensitive document needs.

No more cancelled flights. No more embassy appointments. No more stress over missing a crucial deadline while overseas.

The technology is not only secure, it’s also widely accepted and incredibly convenient. And with the majority of US states now allowing for remote notarization, travellers have more options than ever.

For anyone that travels frequently or has obligations in foreign countries, knowing about remote notarization services is no longer optional. It’s required prep for living in the modern world.

Next time you are stuck with that urgent document while on an international trip, don’t sweat it. The solution will be just a video call away.