EVN vs. RON in North Carolina

Notaries and the Idea of  Remote 

The notary laws in North Carolina, like most states within the U.S., are governed by the North Carolina Secretary of State.

Like many systems during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic lockdown, the legal statutes and laws for Notaries Public were quickly reformed to allow for a lawful change in processes that included a remote component.

Remote Online Notarizations (RON)

Like the NC public officials, other states quickly adjusted and authorized notary laws that allow remote online notarizations, also known in the industry as RON. This allows the signers (known as the Principals) to be located in any state within the U.S. and the notaries public can be located in a different state and complete the notarial act. 

This is such a novel concept for every state and notaries everywhere in the nation. North Carolina laws have not yet authorized this type of

Emergency Video Notarizations (EVN)

North Carolina’s government enacted procedures that allowed the public to commence with notarial services using secured video software, formally known as Emergency Video Notarizations (EVN). 

This State Order of EVN requires that the principal, or signer, personally appears in the video, and most importantly, the notary as well as the signer MUST both be located in one of the 100 counties of North Carolina during the time of the notarial act. 

Also, Notaries and e-Notaries in North Carolina are ONLY allowed to perform oaths/affirmations and acknowledgments over video conferencing technology.

By definition, the EVN is NOT the same as RON and therefore North Carolina is not considered a Remote Online Notarization authorized state as of July 2023.

Upcoming Changes In the North Carolina Laws

North Carolina’s Secretary of State and the department who serves under the honorable, Elaine F. Marshall, are indeed taking actions to further create and address concerns of the state’s notaries public for the Remote Electronic Notarization Act, also known as RENA. 

There are to be 3 phases included in the rulemaking for the RENA laws before being enacted. 

A Public Hearing was held on Tuesday, September 20th, 2023 for the community to remain active and informed and ask any questions about the rulemaking changes to the notary laws and statutes. 

For more information about EVN or RENA please visit the NC Secretary of State website.

In the next blog, we’ll further explain the details of electronic notarizations. That allows us to review IPEN and understand how electronic notarizations are a step toward the upcoming RENA laws.

If someone you know is looking for an emergency notary service in the Garner, NC area or in Raleigh, NC, the Notary Public professionals at KKNIGHTXO are here to help. We’re available 24/7 and perform discounted notarizations for specific entities, such as North Carolina First Responders, Wake County Public Schools, and all Veterans. Call or text us, or schedule your appointment here online to get started.