What is a requirement for a digital certificate used by a remote online notary public?

A digital certificate used by a remote online notary public must be capable of authentication at the time of the notarial act because it serves as a crucial element in ensuring the integrity and security of the electronic signature. This requirement ensures that the identity of the notary is verifiable at the moment the electronic documents are executed, thus helping to maintain the reliability and trustworthiness of the notarial process.

Authentication of the digital certificate prevents fraud and protects both the notary and the parties involved in the transaction. It ensures that the digital certificate is valid and that it represents the notary who is performing the remote notarization, thus enhancing the overall security of the online notarization process.

In contrast, other options may suggest requirements that do not directly address the critical need for immediate authentication during the notarization act. For instance, certificates do not necessarily need to be issued by a private company, and they often don’t have a mandated minimum validity of five years or a requirement for a physical copy to be stored with the notary, as many processes are designed to minimize physical documentation in favor of digital convenience.