What should a notary do if they experience a technical failure during a RON session?

In the event of a technical failure during a Remote Online Notary (RON) session, the appropriate course of action for a notary would be to end the session and notify the signer. This ensures that both parties are aware of the situation and can address any issues that arise from the failure.

Continuing the session despite a failure can lead to questions about the validity of the notarization, as the integrity of the process relies on smooth and uninterrupted technology. Meanwhile, attempting to complete the notarization in person may not be feasible or compliant with RON regulations, especially if the signer is in a different location or if the notary cannot meet in person at that time.

Transferring the session to another notary may also not be a viable option, as notary duties and certifications are contingent on direct supervision of the process, and a new notary would have to start a fresh session. Thus, proper procedure recognizes the need to communicate with the signer and reset the process following a failure, ensuring compliance with regulations and maintaining the integrity of the notarization.