Idaho Remote Online Notarization Requirements

Idaho allows notaries to perform remote online notarizations (RON) — but the requirements are substantially more complex than a traditional paper commission. RON involves notarizing documents via live audio-video technology, where the signer can be anywhere in the world, subject to applicable U.S. connection rules, while the notary must be physically located in Idaho. The rules are governed by IDAPA 34.07.01, the administrative code for remotely located individuals.

If you're considering adding RON to your commission, here's what the state actually requires.

Prerequisite: Active Traditional Commission

You cannot go straight to RON. Idaho requires that you first hold an active traditional notary public commission — or at minimum, submit your traditional application and RON amendment concurrently. The RON authorization is an add-on to your base commission, not a standalone credential.

Mandatory Training

Unlike the traditional commission (which has no training or exam requirement), RON requires completion of a Secretary of State-approved training course. The course covers the technical and legal requirements specific to remote notarization — identity proofing, digital signatures, recording obligations, and platform compliance.

You'll need a certificate of completion to include with your RON application. The Secretary of State does not publish a list of approved course providers, but courses from the National Notary Association and similar organizations are widely used.

The RON Application Process

Once you have your traditional commission and training certificate:

1. Log into SOSbiz and initiate an "Addition of Electronic or Remote Online Notary" amendment
2. Print the RON authorization form, which includes a Statement of Compliance
3. Sign the Statement of Compliance and have your signature physically notarized by another active Idaho notary public
4. Prepare a sample of your digital certificate — a printed page showing your electronic stamp and digital signature as they'll appear on notarized documents
5. Mail the packet to the Secretary of State with the $20 filing fee ($40 if paper-only, without using SOSbiz)

Processing follows the same timeline as a traditional application — about 7 to 10 business days.

Platform Requirements Under IDAPA 34.07.01

This is where RON gets technical. The Secretary of State does not certify or endorse any specific technology platform. It's your legal responsibility to ensure your chosen platform meets all of these requirements:

• Synchronous audio-video communication — live, real-time video feed (not recorded-and-sent). Both you and the signer must be able to see and hear each other throughout the entire session
• Multi-factor identity proofing — for signers not personally known to the notary, the platform must perform dynamic Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) and electronic credential analysis
• Tamper-evident document encryption — documents must be sealed in a way that shows any post-notarization alterations
• If a signer exits the identity verification workflow at any point, the platform must force a complete restart of the proofing process from the beginning

Platforms like Secured Signing, BlueNotary, and SIGNiX are commonly used for Idaho RON. Evaluate them against the IDAPA requirements, not just their marketing claims.

The 10-Year Recording Mandate

Every RON session must be recorded — a complete, unedited audio-video recording of the entire notarization from start to finish. You must retain these recordings securely for a minimum of 10 years from the date of the notarial act.

The recordings must be protected by passwords or cryptographic processes to prevent unauthorized access. This is a serious data storage commitment: 10 years of video files at even moderate resolution adds up to significant storage requirements.

If you die or become incapacitated, your personal representative is legally obligated to maintain these recordings, transfer them to an approved repository, or deliver them to the Secretary of State.

Electronic Journal

RON notaries must maintain an electronic journal of all remote notarizations. While traditional paper notaries are only recommended (not required) to keep a journal, RON notaries have a mandatory journaling obligation. Most RON platforms include an integrated electronic journal, but verify that it meets the IDAPA requirements before relying on it.

Location Rules

A common question: can you perform RON from anywhere?

The notary must be physically located within the state of Idaho during the RON session. The signer can be anywhere in the world, subject to applicable U.S. connection rules — that's the whole point of remote notarization. But if you take your laptop to a coffee shop in Spokane and notarize a document via video, you've performed an unauthorized act outside your jurisdiction.

Digital Certificate (X.509 PKI)

RON requires a digital certificate based on X.509 public key infrastructure (PKI) standards. This is the cryptographic credential that authenticates your electronic signature and seal. Your RON platform provider typically helps you obtain and configure this certificate as part of the onboarding process.

For the complete RON integration walkthrough — from traditional commission through platform setup and compliance verification — the Idaho Notary Commission Guide covers the full pathway.

See more Idaho guides →