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29 January 2026

Important things to know about e-notary services

Lately, more e-notary services are starting to be offered by notaries online. These are promoted as a convenient way to get documents notarised quickly, without meeting a notary in person. However, there are some issues around e-notary services that you should be aware of.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

E-notary services will sound convenient to many people, as they are more easily accessible than normal notary services. However, these services are not without their shortcomings. The main issue is uncertainty over whether the document will be accepted abroad, or not.

This guide explains what e-notary services actually are, when remote video appointments are involved, and why checking acceptance requirements is essential before you choose an online option

We will also explain the issues that may arise if you use e-notary services, as well as the differences between traditional and e-notary services.

What are e-notary services?

If you are wondering what an e-notary is, then it is essentially a form of notarisation carried out online. Your documents will be digitally signed by a notary in a different location to where you are. Sometimes, a video call may be necessary, which is known as remote notarisation. E-notary services and remote notary services are very similar and are related to each other.

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Electronic documents	E-notarisation	Remote notarisation
The document itself is a PDF or electronic file rather than paper.	The notary’s act (certificate) is created and issued in electronic form and digitally signed.	The client appears before the notary over live video rather than in person.

These are not automatically the same thing – you might have an electronic document but still complete a traditional, paper notarial act in person, or you might do a remote appearance but still produce paper output, depending on the destination’s requirements.

Issues with e-notary services

As we have already mentioned, e-notary services are accessible and are easy to use, as you just need to book an appointment online and submit your documents. No travelling is involved and it can be completed in minutes.

However, due to the fact it is all carried out online, there can be issues and risks. The main issues are below.

1. Acceptance varies by country and organisation

Not every authority will accept electronic notarisation or remote appearance. Requirements can vary by:

the country where the document will be used,
the receiving organisation (a bank, registry, court, university),
whether legalisation is needed (apostille / consular legalisation).

There is not one official list that covers every use case, so the safest approach is to confirm acceptance with the recipient before you proceed.

2. Digital signatures are not all equal

Electronic signatures range from basic e-signs to high-assurance signatures that include stronger identity controls. For electronic notarisation, the highest assurance option is typically a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), which is designed to provide a robust level of trust and legal effect.

If you’re paying for an e-notary service, ask what kind of signature is used and whether it’s suitable for the destination’s requirements.

3. Fraud risk is higher when everything is remote

Remote identity checks and online document handling can be secure — but they can also be exploited. This is why the Faculty Office has been consulting on specific guidance for remote appearance and electronic notarial acts.

In practice, higher-risk cases often benefit from in-person attendance, where the notary can:

check original ID more reliably,
ask follow-up questions,
verify understanding and intent,
reduce impersonation risk.

E-notary services versus traditional notary services

Unlike an e-notary, a traditional notary sees you in person and carries out several steps according to regulations set out by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. They are also represented by the Notaries Society.

Many of these steps are important to ensure that a client is who they say they are and that the document they intend to use abroad is legitimate.

For this reason, traditional notarisation remains the most widely-used and accepted route for international use, as it is familiar and trusted by receiving authorities, and is easier to evidence authenticity.

The key differences are as follows:

	E-notary	Notary
Appointment	Online and/or video call	Face to face meeting
Format	Electronic document and/or electronic notarial act	Usually paper document + wet-ink signed/stamped notarial certificate
Signature	Online signature	Wet ink signature
Acceptance	Not accepted everywhere – check with destination and recipient.	Widely accepted, but dependent on destination requirements
Verification	Can be strong, but quality depends on provider/process	Typically strongest for identity verification, understanding, and intent due to in-person checks
Legalisation	May allow e-Apostille in some cases	Paper apostille widely used and familiar
Identity of the Notary Public	There is often no certainty of the notary’s identity	As you meet the notary, you will know who they are and can easily check if they are registered with the Faculty Office

Please note that some traditional notaries also offer e-notary services, so they are not separate professions. However, all of the same issues with e-notary services can appear if you use them.

Traditional notary services will always be more trustworthy than any form of online notary service due to all of the above.

Here at Woodcock Notary Public, we offer all traditional notary services, as well as legislation, drafting and translation services.

Our notary services

As a fully regulated notary firm, we offer traditional notarisation services throughout England. We do not offer e-notary services, as they are unreliable and untrustworthy.

We have two Notaries Public of England and Wales: our founder, Nathan Woodcock, and our London notary, Papia Kabir.

Our notaries will provide your important documents with their stamp, seal and wet ink signature to prove that it has been checked by a legitimate notary.

Once your document has been notarised, it may then need to be legalised. Most countries accept apostilles as a form of legalisation; we can handle the process of getting one for you. Visit our apostille packages page to learn more and see what options suit you.

However, not every country accepts apostilles by themselves. These require the more lengthy and complex embassy and consulate legalisation processes. We can also manage this for you.

Book your appointment today

Now you know the services that we offer, you can book an appointment with one of our expert notaries. Contact us by phone, email, or through our website chat to discuss your needs with a helpful member of our team.

We offer appointments at our offices in London, Manchester and Sheffield. We also have a mobile notary service that allows clients in our service areas to make appointments where we come to you.

Get in touch with us today for your notary needs.

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If you have any questions about our notary, apostille or consular services,
contact Woodcock Notary Public today.

Call us on 0800 049 2471 (free to call) or email info@woodcocknotarypublic.com.

If you have any questions about our notary, apostille or consular services, contact Woodcock Notary Public today.