Electronic notarization — e-notarization — refers to notarizing a document that exists in electronic form, where the notary and signer are physically together in the same location. Instead of wet ink on paper, both parties execute electronic signatures on a digital document, and the notary applies an official electronic seal image rather than a rubber stamp.
California authorizes e-notarization under the California Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (Civil Code §1633.1 et seq.) and related provisions. Every substantive requirement remains unchanged: personal appearance, satisfactory identification, journal entry, and a complete notarial certificate. What changes is the medium — digital instead of paper.
E-notarization is distinct from remote online notarization (RON), which allows the notary and signer to appear via two-way audio-video technology from different locations. E-notarization always requires physical co-presence; only the document and signatures are electronic.
Exam Tip: Physical presence is the dividing line between e-notarization and RON. E-notarization: same room, electronic documents. RON: video technology, different locations. Both are currently authorized in California under specific conditions — do not treat "electronic" as synonymous with "remote."
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