Can the Notary Steal My Identity?

It is natural to feel cautious when sharing sensitive information, especially online. During a Remote Online Notarization (RON) session, you provide personal details such as your full name, address, and government-issued photo ID. Clients often ask: Can the notary steal my identity?

The answer is no — licensed notaries are bound by strict legal and ethical standards designed to protect your identity. A notary public is a state-commissioned official. They undergo background checks, complete training or examinations (depending on the state), and are held to high standards of professional conduct. Identity theft by a notary is both illegal and extremely rare.

During a RON session, your ID is reviewed through automated credential analysis and manually verified on video by the notary. The session is recorded, and the results of your identity verification are logged in a secure digital journal. These safeguards protect both you and the notary. The notary’s actions are auditable and preserved by the RON platform, making fraudulent behavior easily traceable and prosecutable.

Furthermore, notaries do not retain your personal information after the session. They are prohibited from storing or copying your ID or other documents beyond what is required by state law. Your session is encrypted and securely stored by the platform provider — not by the notary personally.

RON platforms such as BlueNotary implement additional security measures including end-to-end encryption, tamper-evident technology, and access controls. These systems are regularly audited and built to comply with state and federal privacy standards.

If a notary were to misuse your information, they would face civil penalties, criminal charges, and permanent loss of their commission. These consequences are severe, and the profession has a strong incentive to maintain public trust.

In short, a RON notary cannot legally or practically steal your identity. The combination of legal oversight, session recording, and platform security protects your information and ensures a safe and trustworthy notarization experience.