In-person electronic notarization, or IPEN, is a notarial act performed on an electronic document while the signer and Notary meet face-to-face in the same location. The Notary still checks identity, confirms willingness, and completes the notarial certificate, but everything is done on a digital document rather than on paper. The signatures and seal are applied electronically, using an electronic signature and seal instead of ink and a rubber stamp.
Developments in technology have created several ways to complete a notarization, and IPEN is one of them. Traditional wet-ink notarization remains familiar, but today there are also remote ink-signed options and fully remote online notarization (RON).
Understanding how these four types of notarizations differ helps signers and Notaries choose the method that fits a particular situation.
The Four Main Types Of Notarization And How They Differ
The National Notary Association describes multiple methods for performing notarial acts. Below are four key types that many signers and Notaries encounter, along with how they differ in terms of presence, document format, and signatures.
1. Traditional wet-ink notarization
In a traditional notarization, the signer and the Notary are physically present together, and the document is printed on paper. The signer uses a pen to sign, and the Notary completes the notarial certificate in ink and applies a physical Notary seal. This is the method most people think of first when they hear the word “notarization.”
The Notary identifies the signer using personal knowledge, acceptable ID, or a credible witness, then observes the signature in real time. Once the certificate is filled out and stamped, the paper document becomes the original record. This process does not require any electronic signatures or platforms.
2. In-person electronic notarization (IPEN)
In-person electronic notarization keeps the in-person meeting but switches the document format from paper to electronic. The signer appears before the Notary in the same room, just as in a traditional wet-ink notarization, but the record is a digital file such as a PDF. The signer applies an electronic signature, and the Notary completes the certificate with an electronic signature and seal.
Because the meeting is in person, the Notary follows familiar steps for identity verification and interaction with the signer. The difference lies in how the document is signed and stored. Instead of collecting a stack of paper, the Notary and signer leave with an electronic record of the completed IPEN notarization, which can be stored and shared digitally.
3. Remote ink-signed notarization (RIN)
Remote ink-signed notarization, often called RIN, combines remote communication with ink signatures on paper. In a RIN session, the signer and Notary connect using approved audio-video technology rather than meeting face-to-face. The Notary verifies the signer’s identity on-screen, watches the signer sign the physical document in ink, and then the signer sends the paper document to the Notary.
Once the Notary receives the paper document, the Notary signs and stamps the notarial certificate in ink and returns the completed document to the signer. The document remains a paper record from start to finish, but the signer’s appearance is remote via audio and video tools. This distinguishes RIN from both traditional wet-ink notarization and IPEN.
4. Remote online notarization (RON)
Remote online notarization (RON) moves the entire process online. The signer and Notary are in different locations and connect by secure audio-visual communication. The document is electronic, the signer applies an electronic signature, and the Notary uses an electronic signature and seal on the notarial certificate.
RON typically involves additional identity-proofing measures and an electronic recording of the session, as required by state law. Unlike RIN, there is no need to mail a paper document back and forth. The entire notarial act, from appearance to signature and seal, takes place electronically while the signer and Notary are remote from each other.
From this view, IPEN sits between traditional notarization and RON. It keeps the in-person meeting of traditional wet-ink notarization but uses an electronic record and electronic signatures. RON, by contrast, mirrors IPEN’s electronic format but changes the meeting to a fully remote interaction. RIN occupies a different corner, mixing a remote meeting with paper documents and ink signatures.
How IPEN Works During A Notarization
A typical IPEN notarization begins with a signer and an electronic Notary meeting at an agreed location, such as an office, a closing room, or another approved site. The Notary checks ID and confirms the signer’s understanding of the document, just as in a traditional appointment. Once those steps are complete, the Notary opens the electronic document on a computer or tablet and invites the signer to review it.
When the signer is ready, they apply an electronic signature to the document. The Notary then completes the notarial certificate using an electronic signature and seal. Some IPEN systems also support electronic journals and the digital storage of records, offering a detailed trail of the IPEN notarization. At each step, the requirement for personal appearance remains the same as in a traditional notarization; only the tools used to capture signatures and seals are different.
Where IPEN Is Allowed And How States Treat It
In‑person electronic notarization (IPEN) is widely recognized in the United States. As noted in the National Notary Association article “IPEN: What It Is & Where IPEN is Allowed,” IPEN is allowed in 46 states and the District of Columbia, whereas a few states—such as Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, and Massachusetts—do not permit it.
Each state that authorizes IPEN sets its own requirements, so Notaries must follow their jurisdiction’s specific rules. Many states include IPEN provisions in their Notary statutes or administrative rules.
These laws may address how a Notary becomes approved to perform IPEN notarizations, what standards apply to electronic signatures and seals, and how technology providers are evaluated. Because the framework can vary, Notaries are encouraged to review their state’s guidance before offering IPEN services.
Why The “In‑Person” Label Matters
As electronic notarization methods expanded, the term “electronic notarization” began to cover several different practices. Some states used it to describe IPEN, while others applied it to RON or other remote methods. This made it difficult for Notaries and signers to be certain which method a particular law or guideline referred to.
To reduce confusion, “in-person” was added to “in-person electronic notarization,” emphasizing that the signer’s physical presence before the Notary is still required. The document may be electronic, and the Notary may act as an electronic notary, but the meeting itself is not remote. This clear label helps distinguish IPEN from in-person paper notarizations on one side and fully remote online notarization on the other.
A Brief Look At The Benefits Of IPEN For Notaries
The National Notary Association highlights several reasons Notaries may find IPEN appealing. In some states, IPEN is available even when remote online notarization is not yet authorized or is limited to certain document types, giving Notaries a way to work with electronic documents while still meeting signers in person.
IPEN can also be more convenient when Notaries and signers already share the same workplace or building. It offers many of the efficiencies of electronic records without the added audiovisual tools, identity-proofing technologies, and recording requirements that often come with RON. Because most of the familiar paper-based rules still apply, IPEN is usually faster to learn and easier to incorporate into daily practice than a fully remote online system.
Choosing The Right Notarization Method
Each method—traditional, IPEN, RIN, and RON—uses different combinations of presence, document format, and technology. Traditional notarization and IPEN work well when in-person meetings are possible and preferred, while RIN and RON are suitable for situations where distance or timing make a remote appearance necessary.
For Notaries, understanding these options makes it easier to explain services and help signers choose a method that aligns with their comfort level, technical access, and local legal framework. For signers, knowing the differences can prevent surprises about whether a meeting will be in person or online and whether documents will be handled on paper or electronically.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The primary purpose of a notary is to act as an impartial witness, verifying the signer’s identity and willingness to prevent fraud on important documents.
Notarization confirms a signer’s identity, ensures they understand and voluntarily sign the document, and provides legal evidence of authenticity.
Real estate professionals, attorneys, financial institutions, and small businesses that handle deeds, powers of attorney, and affidavits most frequently need notaries.
Mobile and loan-signing agents (specializing in real estate closings) typically earn the most due to higher fees, travel pay, and the volume of complex transactions.
A notary public is a state-commissioned official authorized to witness signatures, administer oaths, and certify document copies to deter forgery.