Notary Capacities Overview

Audience: All Notaries

The short answer: Proof supports three notary capacities — On-Demand Notary (ODN), Notary-Sourced Transaction (NST), and In-House Notary (IHN). Each has different setup requirements and determines which transactions you can perform. All capacities require review and approval before going active.

Which Path Is Right for You?

Not sure which notary type applies to you? Use this to find the right setup path:

  • Independent notary working for yourself — You need an NST (Notary-Sourced Transaction) account. You'll use Proof to conduct notarizations for your own clients. → Create a Notary-Sourced Transaction Account
  • Looking to join the on-demand queue and take calls from the Notarize Network (available in FL, NV, PA, TX, VA) — You need an ODN (On-Demand Notary) account. ODNs can also act as NSTs for their own clients. → Create an On-Demand Notary Account
  • Notary employed by or working within an organization that uses Proof — You need in-house notary (IHN) permissions. Your organization's owner, admin, or user manager sets these up for you — you cannot configure this yourself. → Assign In-House Notary Permissions

Notary Capacities

Expand each capacity below for a full description and setup link.

+ On-Demand Notary (ODN)

An On-Demand Notary (ODN) is a commissioned notary who is part of the Notarize Network. ODNs take calls from the on-demand queue to serve signers who request a notary via notarize.com. ODNs can also function as an NST to serve their own clients.

Currently, the ODN capacity is available in: Florida, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.

ODNs are fully reviewed by the Notary Onboarding team before being provisioned, including an eligibility check, platform training, and a notarial knowledge and platform assessment.

On-demand notary overview · → Create an on-demand notary account

+ Notary-Sourced Transaction (NST)

A Notary-Sourced Transaction (NST) notary uses the Proof platform to conduct and grow their own independent notary business. They notarize documents for their own clients, sending transactions through Proof or using a link for clients to upload documents. NSTs located in an ODN-capable state may also function as an ODN.

NSTs are fully reviewed by the Notary Onboarding team before being provisioned, including an eligibility check, platform training, and a platform assessment.

Notary-sourced transactions overview · → Create a notary-sourced transaction account

+ In-House Notary (IHN)

An In-House Notary (IHN) is a commissioned notary who is a team member of an organization that uses Proof. They notarize documents on behalf of their organization as part of their day-to-day duties. Depending on the organization's overflow settings, a call may be routed to the on-demand queue if an IHN is unavailable. IHNs may not act as an ODN or NST while employed as an IHN.

IHNs are reviewed by the Notary Onboarding team before being provisioned. Platform training is only required for IHNs commissioned in WI or MT.

In-house notary overview · → Create an in-house notary account

Requirements for Notaries Per Capacity

A notary may hold both ODN and NST capacities simultaneously, depending on their state. IHNs cannot hold additional notary roles while employed by an organization.

Notary Profile Item ODN NST IHN
Traditional and RON Commission ✅ ✅ ✅
Proof Digital Certificate ✅ ✅ ✅
Proof Platform Training ✅ ✅ Required WI & MT only
Notary Skills Training ✅ ✅
Signature & Seal provided by Proof ✅ ✅ ✅
NNA number 1 ✅
NSA certification training and exam ✅
NSA required background check ✅
E&O insurance ✅ optional optional
Account payment (notary pays Proof fees) ✅ ✅
Signer payout (Proof/signers pay the notary) 2 ✅ ✅

1 Required for ODNs; optional for NSTs and IHNs depending on their state.

2 ODNs who act as NSTs must collect payment from their signers outside of the Proof platform.

Summary Checklist

  • Identified which notary capacity applies to your situation (ODN, NST, or IHN).
  • Reviewed the requirements for your capacity in the table above.
  • Followed the setup link for your capacity to begin the application process.
  • Understood that all capacities require Notary Onboarding team review and approval before going active.

Still Unsure?

Our support team is happy to help. Submit a support request or chat with us from any page in the app.

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