Is Remote Online Notarization Legal in Idaho?

Yes. Idaho permits commissioned and properly authorized notaries to perform notarial acts for remotely located individuals using communication technology. Idaho's remote online notarization law became effective on January 1, 2020.

A remote signer appears before the Idaho notary through real-time audio-video communication instead of being physically in the same room. The notary must still follow Idaho's requirements for identification, document confirmation, the notarial certificate, electronic signing technology, and record retention.

Idaho Online Notary Requirements at a Glance

Step 1: Make Sure You Qualify as an Idaho Notary

Before you can become an Idaho remote online notary, you must qualify for an Idaho notary public commission.

Idaho requires a notary applicant to:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States;
• Be an Idaho resident or have a place of employment or place of practice in Idaho;
• Be able to read and write; and
• Not be disqualified from receiving an Idaho notary commission.

If you already hold an active Idaho notary commission, you can move on to the electronic and remote online notarization steps below.

Step 2: Obtain the Required $10,000 Idaho Notary Surety Bond

Idaho requires applicants to obtain a $10,000 notary surety bond as part of the traditional notary commission process.

A surety bond and Errors & Omissions insurance are not the same thing. The surety bond is designed to protect members of the public who may suffer damages because of a notary's misconduct or negligence.

Step 3: Apply for Your Idaho Notary Commission

Once you have obtained your surety bond, complete the Idaho Notary Public Application and submit the required documentation to the Idaho Secretary of State.

The basic commission process includes:

1. Obtaining your $10,000 Idaho notary bond;
2. Completing the Idaho Notary Public Application;
3. Completing the required oath and application requirements;
4. Submitting your bond and application; and
5. Paying the applicable state filing fee.

The Idaho Secretary of State currently lists a $30 filing fee for a standard notary commission application. Paper filings may also be subject to Idaho's additional manual-processing fee.

Once commissioned, an Idaho notary receives a six-year commission.

Idaho Secretary of State Notary Information

Step 4: Receive Your Commission and Obtain Your Idaho Notary Stamp

After the Secretary of State approves your application, you will receive your Idaho Certificate of Commission. The state recommends waiting until you receive your commission certificate before ordering your official stamping device.

Idaho's physical notary stamp must contain the required information, including your commissioned name, the words "Notary Public", "State of Idaho", and your state-issued commission number.

Your traditional commission provides the foundation for becoming an electronic and remote online notary. You are not yet authorized to perform RON simply because you hold the traditional commission.

Step 5: Choose Idaho-Compliant RON Technology and a Digital Certificate

Idaho requires a remote online notary to use technology that complies with the state's electronic notarization and remote notarization standards.

This includes tamper-evident technology for the electronic record. Idaho's RON administrative rules specify the use of a digital certificate complying with the X.509 standard or similar industry-standard technology to associate the notary's electronic signature and official stamp with the electronic record.

A compliant RON workflow also needs technology capable of:

• Providing synchronous audio-video communication so the notary and signer can see and speak with one another in real time;
• Protecting the live audio-video transmission and electronic record against unauthorized access;
• Allowing the notary to confirm that the electronic record being notarized is the same record on which the remote signer acted;
• Supporting Idaho-compliant identity proofing;
• Creating the required audio-video recording of the remote notarization; and
• Protecting and retaining that recording for the required period.

Online Notary Center provides remote notarization tools including identity verification, knowledge-based authentication, electronic notary tools, and 10-year video storage.

If you need help understanding the digital certificate process, see our IdenTrust Digital Certificate Guide for Online Notaries .

Idaho requires compliant digital-certificate technology but does not require a specific certificate vendor solely by state law. Your selected RON platform may have additional technical requirements.

Step 6: Register as an Electronic or Remote Online Notary in Idaho

Before performing your first remote online notarization, notify the Idaho Secretary of State that you intend to perform electronic or remote online notarial acts.

Idaho commissioned notaries do this by filing the "Addition of Electronic or Remote Online Notary" amendment through the state's SOSBiz system.

During the process, you will identify the electronic notarization and communication technology you intend to use. Idaho requires notification for the technology before you use it to perform electronic notarial acts.

Filing electronically through SOSBiz avoids the additional manual-processing fee associated with paper filings.

Visit Idaho SOSBiz

Step 7: Wait for Idaho RON Authorization

Do not begin performing electronic or remote online notarizations until you have completed the state's registration requirements.

The Idaho Secretary of State states that notaries receive an authorization certificate after becoming authorized for electronic notarization.

Keep your authorization information with your notary records and make sure the technology you actually use matches the technology you have disclosed to the state.

Step 8: Begin Performing Idaho-Compliant Online Notarizations

Once you are commissioned, properly registered, and your RON technology is ready, you can begin performing remote online notarizations while following Idaho's ongoing RON requirements.

The Notary Must Be Located in Idaho

Idaho law allows an Idaho notary who is located in Idaho to perform a remote notarial act for a remotely located signer using communication technology.

That means your signer does not need to be sitting in Idaho with you. However, you, the Idaho notary, must be located in Idaho when performing the notarial act.

Verify the Remote Signer's Identity

Idaho permits identification based on personal knowledge, qualifying credible witness procedures, or the state's prescribed identity-proofing process.

When identity proofing is required, Idaho's rules include credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication requirements. The notary must also be able to visually compare the signer with the identification credential during the real-time video session.

Create an Audio-Video Recording

A recording of the remote notarial act is required. Idaho requires the recording to be protected from unauthorized access and retained for at least 10 years after it is created.

Include the Required RON Certificate Language

The notarial certificate must indicate that communication technology was used to perform the notarial act.

What About a Notary Journal?

Idaho does not currently require a traditional or electronic notary journal, although the Secretary of State strongly recommends keeping one as a best practice.

Do not confuse the optional journal with the RON audio-video recording. The audio-video recording is required for remote notarizations and must be retained for at least 10 years.

How Much Can an Online Notary Charge in Idaho?

Idaho currently limits the fee a notary public may charge to $5 per notarial act.

Idaho's RON administrative rules separately provide that a third-party company supplying technology or storage used for the remote notarization may charge and collect additional fees for those services.

When using a RON platform, make sure you understand the distinction between the statutory notarial fee and separate technology or platform charges.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an Online Notary in Idaho

Official Idaho Online Notary Resources

For the most current requirements, review the official Idaho resources before submitting your application or performing a remote online notarization.

• Idaho Secretary of State – Notary Information
• Idaho Secretary of State – Notary Training Course
• IDAPA 34.07.01 – Rules Governing Notarial Acts Performed for Remotely Located Individuals
• Idaho Notary Public Handbook