FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a notarization?

Click the link button below.

How much does it cost?

ONLINE NOTARIZATIONS

Notarization (one stamp)- $25

Additional stamps- $8

Additional signer-$5 

Witness (invite your own)- $0

Witness as a service by Blue Notary certified notary- $10

You can find the fee schedule for MOBILE and IN-PERSON notarizations in the fee schedule below.

Is the BlueNotary platform mobile phone friendly?

Yes. You should be able to complete your notarization on a mobile phone but I highly recommend using your computer for the best experience.

How does a multiple signer session work?

When booking your appointment, click "Add Guest". Then add the email address(es) and info of the secondary signer(s).

Primary signer must complete their required ID + KBA analysis process FIRST, then the secondary signer(s) will receive an email notice to complete their required ID + KBA analysis process on Blue Notary using each their own respective devices.

The secondary signer will **receive an email with a link** to proceed with identity verification processing and then join the call.

Both the primary and secondary signer(s) will need to join the live video call - from separate devices -  for the live call.

$5 per additional signer. 

I need witnesses. What do I do?

You can provide your own witnesses for FREE or you can use a BlueNotary witness for $10 per witness.  If you are providing your own witnesses, be sure to have their first and last name and email address ready when you book your appointment. Your notary will send them a link to join the session from their own computer. All BlueNotary witnesses are notaries on the BlueNotary platform.

Are online notarizations legal?

Yes. I can legally notarize documents online in all 50 U.S. states.

I am certified and fully commissioned in my respective state. (see more in the "About ME" page)

Numerous states have passed laws authorizing their notaries to perform online notarizations. These online notarizations are accepted across the country due to a long-standing body of laws in each state that specifically provides for recognition and acceptance of out-of-state notarizations.

What documents can be notarized on Blue Notary?

Most documents can be notarized on Blue Notary with the exception of the following: any documents that are being submitted to a foreign embassy; codicils and testamentary trusts; and Form I-9. While many states adhere to similar standards, every state has it's own specific requirements for online document notarization. Find your state on the respective Secretary of State website or https://nationalnotary.org.


What format does my document have to be in?

Blue Notary accepts the following text formats: PDF, DOCX, PPTX, and XLSX. They accept the following image formats: PNG, SVG, JPG, TIFF. Maximum document file size is 30 MB.

What if I upload a document that has blank spaces that need to be filled in by myself?

A document must be entirely completed before a notary can place a signature and seal on it. However, I can mark it up with text boxes in the blank spaces for you to complete during our session. Just realize your session may take a little longer than 10 minutes.

Is the notarized document encrypted and secure?

Every document notarized on the BlueNotary platform is encrypted using X.509 PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) technology for securing digitally signed documents. This ensures each finalized notarized document is tamper-evident. 

PKI is a system that governs the issuance of digital certificates that protect sensitive data and secure end-to-end communications. Digital certificates provide unique digital identities to users, applications, and devices in an online world. 

PKI is a critical part of the IT strategic backbone. PKI is important because the certificate-based technology helps organizations establish trusted signature, encryption, and identity between people, systems, and things. 

How to unlock encrypted files?

Please find the following resources to unlock encrypted files:

https://www.ilovepdf.com/unlock_pdf

or

https://smallpdf.com/unlock-pdf

After the PDF is unlocked, we can accept it for upload on the Blue Notary platform. 

Storage of audio/video session recordings

All audio/video recordings are securely stored for at least 10 years on an AWS cloud server. The recording may be downloaded at any time by signer or notary from the Documents or Journal page respectively. 

Types of identity authentication?

US citizens can choose:

KBA

*Note- Texas notaries cannot use Biometrics for identification. Do not choose the Biometric identification option if it is offered.

3 options for ID:

Driver's License, Real ID, or State-issued ID

Passport Card

Passport Book 

What is KBA identification analysis proofing?

Identity analysis (sometimes referred to as ID Proofing) is a process for a signer of a document to affirm their identity through a dynamic knowledge-based authentication (KBA). 

Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA)

Most states require a third-party solution for credential and identity authentication. BlueNotary partners with a solution that is able to provide this analysis using KBA and forensic ID analysis on par with bank-grade security processes.

No data is stored by BlueNotary regarding questions or answers generated by our KBA partner.

In the KBA process, the signer is asked a series of 5 questions that pertain to their personal information (i.e. past residences, associates, etc). The signer is required to answer 80% successfully to continue the session. If the signer fails the first set of questions, a second set of questions will be presented. If both sets of questions are not 80% correct, the session is failed. The signer will need to wait 24 hours before starting a new session.

Photo ID

Identity verification is validated by analyzing features of a signer's photo identification. Our verification partner is able to accept unexpired government-issued State ID card, Real ID card, Driver's License or Passport Book.

The verification data is shown to the notary during the live session to complete the total verification process.

Notary will see this information after credential analysis is completed (along with an image of the front of the ID itself). 


What to do if you can't connect audio/video?

Your vide/audio feed should appear in the top left of the screen above the notary. There are a few things that can cause your Audio & Video check to not connect. Usually they will pertain to either your browser settings or system settings. Often times a simple refresh will suffice.

The most common scenarios in which this is seen:

Audio or Video Connections being blocked by the browser

Old machines

Not having permission in your system settings (Mac & Windows)

Not searching for the right camera in system settings. (Mac & Windows)

Dual Monitors

More than 1 Webcam attached to the same computer

Use of OBS or Recording Software

3 Potential Solutions

Check if you are using some VPN and turn off the VPN

Make sure you are not behind some firewall (like Office Firewall, Country Firewall)

Make sure no other video call is going on in Google Meet / Zoom / Microsoft Teams or any other video calling software (specifically if on a mobile phone)

Here are a few more potential Solutions to try first:

Browser check

How to change your default camera in Windows

How to manage apps accessing your mac's camera and microphone

How to change mic and webcam settings for Safari on Mobile OS

You can always test the quality from within your Session Simulator.

If all else fails, please try opening the Session in a separate browser like Edge or Firefox, although typically Chrome and Safari are kind of considered the gold standard here. 

How to fix any date (DoB) entry errors? 

This short article is to explain why you might be having difficulty entering your Date of Birth as a signer on BlueNotary.

The main step to ensure this doesn't happen is that you will need to select your individual DAY only after you have selected your YEAR.

Anytime you change YEARS, you need to resect the individual DAY.

Let's say for example your birthday is: Jan 4th, 1980.

Select the Year

Select the Month

Select the Day and press "close". You should be good to go.

You can view a short video of this Date of Birth Entry Process for clarity. 

How to place your signature on mobile?

1st Option

The Notary has already placed your signature box in this situation

Click the arrow

Click the purple "click to add signature box"

Choose, draw or type your signature

Press "Continue" 

2nd Option

The second option is to place down your signature solo

The sequence to place your signature as a signer is:

Tap Signature in the Drag and Drop (it will turn faded green)

Tap the document where you want your signature, a box will automatically pop up

Choose, draw or type your signature

Press "Continue"

You can view a short video of the Signature Action Here 

My notary terminated my session. Why?

You or the notary may have experienced technical difficulties requiring the notary to terminate the session. Your ID may not have passed the verification process. Your document wasn't in the correct format.

Texas notaries may NOT refuse a request for notarial services based on the gender, age, religion, race, ethnicity, or national origin of the person requesting services.

However, Texas notaries are authorized to refuse to perform a notarial act for the following reasons:

Will I be charged if my session is terminated, cancelled, or cannot be completed?

NO. You will NOT be charged. I don't charge until your notarization is complete.