Scope of Services
Describe permitted notarial acts (acknowledgement, jurat, oath), whether RON is available, and any exclusions such as legal advice or document drafting.
A clear agreement reduces disputes about fees, timing, and authentication steps, and helps ensure compliance with state notary laws and ESIGN/UETA rules for electronic records. It documents consent, preserves evidence for auditing, and defines responsibilities for journal entries and retention.
Organizations and individual notaries use this agreement to set consistent standards for service delivery and compliance before any notarizations occur.
A signed agreement creates a written record of expectations and reduces downstream disputes for both the notary and the signing party.
Describe permitted notarial acts (acknowledgement, jurat, oath), whether RON is available, and any exclusions such as legal advice or document drafting.
List per-signature notary fees, RON session fees, travel charges, accepted payment methods, and policies for cancellations and refunds.
Specify acceptable ID types, procedures for identity proofing (KBA or credential analysis for RON), and any required signer authentication steps.
State limits on the notary's liability, indemnification for third-party claims, and whether errors will be remedied by re-execution.
Define journal entries, audio-video retention for RON, retention periods, and who may access records under legal process.
Set the agreement term, grounds for termination, notice periods, and obligations on termination such as final invoices and record transfer.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Template | Upload PDF | Create reusable template with pre-placed fields |
| Authentication | Email link | SMS code or KBA for stronger verification |
| Signing Order | Sequential | Parallel depending on role requirements |
| Record Storage | Cloud archive | Local export for compliance or court subpoenas |
Confirm whether electronic signatures and RON sessions are permitted and specify required technical and authentication controls.
Ensure the platform used supports audit trails, tamper-evident storage, and any statutory requirements for RON (identity proofing and A/V recording).
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
When managing investor documents across multiple states, Optica standardized fees and RON options to streamline closings.
A property manager reduced in-person signings by standardizing mobile notary terms and travel charges in a written agreement.
The notary is the commissioned public official who will perform notarial acts, maintain the journal, and ensure all identity-proofing and certificate wording meet state law; the notary is responsible for keeping the commission current.
The client (individual or organization) requesting notarization must provide accurate legal names, acceptable identification, and consent to the method of notarization; the client is responsible for completing pre-notary sections and paying fees.
Parties sign and accept the stated terms
Notary confirms ID and completes certificate
Notary records details and retains evidence
Signed copy and audit trail stored securely
Notarization occurs at signing; do not pre-sign or backdate documents
Many states require A/V retention 5–10 years after session
Verify commission is valid on notarization date
Process subpoenas or lawful requests promptly
Resolve within contract terms to avoid collection action