Too Sick to Meet a Notary? Remote Online Notarization May Help

When someone is seriously ill, even a short appointment can feel like one more burden. That is especially true when the documents are important and time feels limited.

I recently visited a client who needed to sign estate planning documents. She was bedridden, but she was alert, understood what she was doing, and could sign for herself. Her husband was understandably careful about germs. He provided her own pen, asked me to keep my distance while still observing the signing, and wiped down her identification after I examined it. We made the in-person appointment work, but the experience reminded me how valuable another option can be: remote online notarization, or RON.

What changes with RON?

With RON, the signer meets a commissioned online notary through a live audio and video session. The signer completes identity verification, signs an electronic document, and appears before the notary on camera. The notary then completes the electronic notarization. A Tennessee online notary can perform an authorized remote notarization without being physically in the room with the signer.

For a person who is ill, this can mean no visitor at the bedside, no shared pen, and no handoff of a physical ID to a visiting notary. A family member can help with the device or getting connected, but the signer must participate personally. I still need to communicate with the signer, verify identity through the required process, and be satisfied that the signer is willing and able to complete the notarization.

Is RON right for every estate planning document?

Not necessarily. The attorney who prepared the documents should confirm whether electronic signing and remote notarization are suitable for each document, and whether witnesses or other signing steps are required. A notary cannot replace those requirements or advise you on how to execute your estate plan. If the documents need wet-ink signatures or an in-person ceremony, a mobile appointment may be the right choice.

RON also requires some preparation. The signer needs a device with a working camera and microphone, a dependable internet connection, acceptable identification, and the ability to complete the platform’s identity checks. If the signer is exhausted or having trouble concentrating, it may be better to schedule the session for a time when they feel more comfortable. Illness alone does not prevent someone from signing, but a family member cannot answer questions or make the decision for them.

Plan before the appointment

If an upcoming signing involves someone who is ill or has limited mobility, ask the document preparer about remote execution before printing or signing anything. Then contact me so we can review the practical requirements, the number of signers and witnesses, and whether a remote or mobile appointment fits the circumstances.

The goal is to make a difficult day a little easier while giving the signer the time, dignity, and personal attention the appointment deserves.

Notary by Divine, LLC offers remote online and mobile notarization. Skip the drive. Contact me to discuss your notarization needs or schedule a free 15-minute consultation