Everything You Need to Know About Remote Online Notarization

Welcome to the JJLBS Remote Closing Services Frequently Asked Questions page. Whether you’re scheduling your first Remote Online Notarization (RON), preparing for a real estate closing, or simply need a document notarized, we’ve answered many of the questions we receive most often.

If your question is not answered below, please feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to explain the notarization process and help you prepare for your appointment.

General Questions

What is Remote Online Notarization (RON)?

Remote Online Notarization allows you to appear before a commissioned Virginia Electronic Notary Public using secure audio-video technology instead of meeting in person. Eligible documents can be signed and notarized electronically from virtually anywhere with an internet connection.

Where are you located?

JJLBS Remote Closing Services is located in Virginia and proudly provides Remote Online Notarization services to clients throughout the United States where permitted by applicable law and accepted by the receiving organization.

How do I schedule an appointment?

Appointments can be scheduled through our online scheduling calendar, or by contacting us directly via phone, text, or email.

Identification Requirements

What identification is required?

Each signer must present a current, valid, unexpired government-issued photo identification.

Common examples include:

Driver’s License
State Identification Card
U.S. Passport
Passport Card
Permanent Resident Card
Other government-issued identification accepted under applicable law

What identification cannot be accepted?

Generally, the following are not acceptable:

Expired identification
Social Security cards
Birth certificates
Credit or debit cards
Student identification
Employee badges
Membership cards
Library cards
Photocopies
Altered or damaged identification

Understanding Notarial Certificates

What is a Notarial Certificate?

A notarial certificate is the portion of a document completed by the Notary Public that identifies the type of notarial act performed and certifies that the legal requirements for that act were satisfied.

If your document does not already contain a notarial certificate, one may need to be attached before the notarization can be completed.

Common Virginia Notarial Certificates

Individual Acknowledgment

Purpose:
Confirms that an individual personally appeared before the notary and acknowledged voluntarily signing the document.

Common Uses:

Real estate documents
Deeds
Contracts
Powers of Attorney
Business agreements

Corporate Acknowledgment

Purpose:
Confirms that an authorized corporate officer executed the document on behalf of a corporation.

Common Uses:

Corporate resolutions
Commercial contracts
Business financing
Real estate transactions

Partnership Acknowledgment

Purpose:
Used when a partner signs on behalf of a partnership.

Common Uses:

Partnership agreements
Commercial leases
Business loans

Attorney-in-Fact Acknowledgment

Purpose:
Used when an individual signs under a valid Power of Attorney.

Common Uses:

Real estate transactions
Financial transactions
Estate administration

Trustee Acknowledgment

Purpose:
Used when a trustee signs on behalf of a trust.

Common Uses:

Living Trusts
Trust property transfers
Estate planning

Personal Representative Acknowledgment

Purpose:
Used by executors or administrators acting for an estate.

Common Uses:

Probate documents
Estate administration
Property transfers

Public Officer Acknowledgment

Purpose:
Used when a government official signs in an official capacity.

Jurat (Oath or Affirmation)

Purpose:
The signer signs in the presence of the notary and swears or affirms that the contents of the document are true.

Common Uses:

Affidavits
Sworn statements
Court pleadings
Verifications

General Oath or Affirmation

Purpose:
Administers an oath or affirmation without necessarily notarizing a document.

Common Uses:

Witness testimony
Depositions
Official statements

Electronic Copy Certification

Purpose:
Certifies that an electronic copy accurately reproduces an original electronic document when permitted by Virginia law.

Which Certificate Do I Need?

The Notary Public cannot determine which notarial certificate is appropriate for your document.

The correct certificate must be identified by:

You
Your attorney
The document preparer
The requesting agency
Your lender
Your title company
Another authorized individual

If you’re uncertain after reviewing the available certificates, you should seek competent legal advice before proceeding.

Notarial Certificates Commonly Used in Legal Proceedings

The following certificates are frequently associated with court filings and legal documents:

Jurat
Oath or Affirmation
Individual Acknowledgment
Attorney-in-Fact Acknowledgment

Examples include:

Verified Complaints
Verified Answers
Affidavits
Sworn Declarations
Motions verified under oath
Witness Statements
Discovery Verification Forms

The specific certificate required depends on the governing law, court rules, and the nature of the document.

Notarial Certificates Commonly Used in Estate Planning

Estate planning documents often require notarization to satisfy state law or recording requirements. Common certificates include:

Individual Acknowledgment
Trustee Acknowledgment
Attorney-in-Fact Acknowledgment
Jurat (when a sworn affidavit accompanies estate documents)

These certificates are commonly used with:

Powers of Attorney
Revocable Living Trusts
Trust Amendments
Certification of Trust
Advance Medical Directives (where applicable)
Estate Transfer Documents

Requirements vary by document type and jurisdiction.

Loan Signing Questions

Can the Notary Signing Agent explain my loan?

No.

The Notary Signing Agent may identify each document and explain its general purpose but cannot:

Interpret legal language
Explain loan terms
Provide financial advice
Recommend whether you should sign

Questions should be directed to your:

Loan Officer
Mortgage Lender
Title Company
Escrow Officer
Closing Attorney

Privacy & Confidentiality

Why can’t the notary email or provide copies of my documents to someone else?

Your documents often contain confidential personal, financial, medical, or legal information. A Notary Public is not the owner or custodian of your documents and generally has no authority to distribute, copy, or forward them to third parties unless:

You expressly authorize it;
The documents are part of a specific assignment from a hiring entity (such as a title company or law firm) that instructs the notary where to return them; or
Disclosure is required by law or court order.

If another person or organization needs a copy of your documents, those copies should ordinarily come from the document owner, preparer, lender, title company, attorney, or other authorized custodian—not from the notary.

Protecting client confidentiality is a fundamental part of professional notarial practice.

The Notarial Journal

Why must the notarial journal be completed during my appointment?

Virginia law and accepted notarial best practices require the notary to create a complete and accurate record of the notarial act at the time it is performed.

Completing the journal during the appointment helps ensure:

The information is accurate and contemporaneous.
The signer’s identity has been verified.
The correct document and notarial act are recorded.
The record is complete before the notarization concludes.

Waiting until after the appointment increases the risk of errors or omissions and may undermine the accuracy of the journal entry.

The journal serves as an important record that can help verify the details of a notarization if questions arise in the future.

Appointment Questions

How long does an appointment take?

Most Remote Online Notarizations take between 15 and 30 minutes.

Loan signings generally require approximately one hour.

Contact Us

Still have questions?

We’re happy to help explain the notarization process and prepare you for your appointment.

JJLBS Remote Closing Services

Lawanda Boddie-Slack
Virginia Traditional & Electronic Notary Public
Certified Remote Online Notary (RON)

📞 Business Phone: (252) 679-9394

💬 Direct Text: (252) 801-3290

📧 Email: owner@jjlbsllc.blog

🌐 Website: www.jjlbsremoteclosingservices.com

Our Commitment

At JJLBS Remote Closing Services, we are committed to delivering accurate, secure, and professional notarial services while remaining impartial and complying with Virginia law. Our goal is to educate clients, protect the integrity of every notarization, and make the process as smooth and convenient as possible.

Professional. Reliable. Convenient.

Serving All 50 States Remotely (where permitted by applicable law)

Secure. Confidential. Professional.

Helping you complete your notarization with confidence—wherever you are.