Articles & Guides
Browse our curated library of compliance guides, product walkthroughs, and expert insights for notaries.
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Everything a Notary Needs to Go Digital: Certificates, Seals, and Stamps—All in One Place
Issue a verified digital certificate, seal, and stamp in one workflow.
Updated 6/1/20261 min readdigital-certificatenotary-sealnotary-stampPlatform Fee Report
Learn how the Platform Fee Report helps notaries understand RON platform fees they are currently incurring across a selected date range.
Updated 5/30/20261 min readbillingronplatform-feesVirginia Notary Journal Compliance for Law Firms (Effective July 1, 2026)
Legal/compliance-forward guide for Virginia law firms managing multiple in-house notaries, journal oversight, retention, exports, and statutory recordkeeping requirements in NotaryCentral.
Updated 5/28/20265 min readvirginialaw-firmcomplianceHow to Cancel NotaryCentral (Free Trial vs Subscription)
Clear cancellation steps: free trial users have nothing to cancel; active subscriptions require an email request.
Updated 5/27/20261 min readcancellationfree-trialsubscriptionManaging Team Workspace Subscriptions
Learn how to create your Team Workspace, manage seat capacity, and assign Business Suite or Journal subscriptions to teammates.
Updated 5/27/20261 min readteamworkspacesubscriptionsDo I Have to Charge My Client for RON?
Understand your two RON billing choices in NotaryCentral: charge the client through Stripe Connect or keep client charges off and enable Charge Card for platform fees.
Updated 5/21/20261 min readronpaymentsstripeSample Notarized Document
View a sample notarized document page and understand when to use it for testing and demonstrations.
Updated 5/20/20261 min readnotarized-documentssampletestingAppointment Actions and Status Updates
Learn how to record mileage, log notarial acts, view apostille details, confirm appointment times, update statuses, or cancel appointments.
Updated 5/19/20262 min readappointmentsmileagenotarial-actsBilling, Journaling, and Email Management
Learn how to preview client communication, track appointment expenses, manage invoices, and review notary journal records.
Updated 5/19/20261 min readappointmentsemail-previewexpensesBilling, Receipts, and Remote Online Notarization
A comprehensive guide on managing billing summaries, client payments, revenue insights, appointment receipts, and live Remote Online Notarization (RON) rooms.
Updated 5/19/20262 min readbillingpaymentsreceiptCalendar, Filters, Authentication, and Offline Journals
A comprehensive guide on managing appointment schedules, filtering search results, user authentication, mobile pricing plans, and compliance-first offline notary journals.
Updated 5/19/20261 min readcalendarfilterauthenticationConfiguring Signing Defaults
Learn how to set default appointment durations, notarial fees, automatic mileage calculations, and checklist items for your signings.
Updated 5/19/20261 min readsettingssigning-defaultsfeesCredential Analysis Helpers, Link Lifespans, and Notarized Document Access
A detailed technical review of NotaryCentral's credential gates, verification UI cards, polling managers, early/expired link views, and secure final document retrievals.
Updated 5/19/20261 min readcredential-analysislink-validationaccess-tokenCustomer Management and Client Profiles
A complete guide on NotaryCentral's customer listing, profile management, client appointments, filters, edit views, and new client registrations.
Updated 5/19/20261 min readcustomersclient-profilesappointmentsCustomer Signing Room, Session Termination, and Annotation Save Indicators
A comprehensive developer guide detailing customer-facing signing room layouts, empty states, session termination routes, and reactive document annotation save indicators.
Updated 5/19/20261 min readcustomer-signing-roomannotation-statussigning-endedEditing Appointments, Invoices, Notes, and Expenses
Learn how to update appointment details, add custom fields, write internal notes, record business expenses, or edit and email invoices.
Updated 5/19/20262 min readappointmentseditinvoiceElectronic Journal Management and Drafting
A complete guide on NotaryCentral's electronic notary journal, signature capture, entry creation, drafts, billing, review workflows, and CSV/PDF export tools.
Updated 5/19/20262 min readjournalsignature-captureinvoiceManaging Appointments and Details
Learn how to view, search, and manage your appointments and use the appointment details screen to launch RON sessions.
Updated 5/19/20262 min readappointmentssearchfilteringManaging Mileage, Notes, Documents, and Holds
Learn how to edit individual mileage entries, write and review notes, view notarized files, mark bookings as unconfirmed, or put appointments on hold.
Updated 5/19/20262 min readappointmentsmileagenotesNotaryCentral Settings, Scheduling, and Profile Configuration
A comprehensive guide to managing your business settings, online booking, custom domains, spoken scripts, templates, and integration preferences.
Updated 5/19/20263 min readsettingsprofileschedulingOffline Journals, Registrations, Training Courses, and Credential Analysis
A comprehensive guide on NotaryCentral's offline-ready view modes, user signup verification steps, state training courses, customer booking flows, and LiveKit identity credential analysis.
Updated 5/19/20261 min readoffline-journalsignupcoursePaper Journal Logging and Offline Entries
A comprehensive guide on recording traditional physical paper-based notarial acts inside NotaryCentral for consolidated bookkeeping, digital backup, and compliance.
Updated 5/19/20262 min readjournalpaper-journalbookkeepingParticipants, Storage, Invoice Status, and Mileage Utilities
A technical overview of the utility libraries and screens that manage signing room participants, storage keys, signed document output, invoice updates, and mileage navigation.
Updated 5/19/20262 min readsigning-roomparticipantsstoragePreparing Documents for the Signing Room
Learn how to upload and set the purpose of documents before launching a remote online notarization session.
Updated 5/19/20261 min readappointmentsdocumentsuploadQuick Setup Guides: RON, Journal, and Business Suite
Walk through step-by-step checklists to configure your Remote Online Notarization, Electronic Journal, and Business Suite preferences.
Updated 5/19/20261 min readonboardingsettingsquick-setupRON Core Libraries, Styling, Viewer Modes, and Email Dispatch
A deep dive into NotaryCentral's Remote Online Notarization (RON) helpers, styling definitions, active signer page filters, and the direct customer email composer.
Updated 5/19/20262 min readremote-online-notarizationronstylingSearch Portal, Billing, and Commission Tracking
A complete developer guide detailing NotaryCentral's search tools, AI handbook chats, billing managers, commission logs, and email history.
Updated 5/19/20262 min readsearchask-aibillingSigning Room Contexts, Loader Service, and Telemetry
A detailed guide to NotaryCentral's React context providers, remote data loading architecture, and telemetry logging for Remote Online Notarization (RON).
Updated 5/19/20261 min readsigning-roomcontexttelemetrySigning Room Libraries and Utilities
A technical overview of the utility libraries that manage annotations, digital credentials, Secretary of State stamp storage, and document finalization in NotaryCentral's live signing rooms.
Updated 5/19/20262 min readsigning-roomlibrariesstorageSigning Room Loaders, Recording Hooks, Uncollectable Fees, and Videos
A comprehensive guide to NotaryCentral's Remote Online Notarization (RON) data types, hooks, uncollectable invoice options, and session recordings.
Updated 5/19/20261 min readsigning-roomWebRTCvideoSigning Room State Reduction, Recordings, and Email Options
An architectural overview of NotaryCentral's signing room state synchronizers, participant schemas, video recording sessions, and email options.
Updated 5/19/20262 min readsigning-roomstate-managementrecordingSigning Room Upload Schedulers, Witness Views, and System Preflight Checks
A comprehensive guide on NotaryCentral's customer annotation uploading services, witness room layout modes, transaction helper modules, and hardware system checks.
Updated 5/19/20261 min readannotation-uploaderwitnesssystem-checkSimplified GST/HST for Canadian Notaries Using NotaryCentral
Learn how NotaryCentral's Simplified GST/HST registration affects Canadian notaries and how to avoid GST/HST collection by providing your Business Number.
Updated 5/15/20262 min readCanadataxesGST/HSTData Storage Volume & Limits
Learn how NotaryCentral handles storage for your videos, documents, and files, and why you don't need to worry about account-wide storage limits.
Updated 5/15/20262 min readstoragevideosfilesHow Documents Are Secured in the NotaryCentral RON Platform
Learn how NotaryCentral stores notarized RON documents in AWS and protects access with short-lived download links for notaries and signers.
Updated 5/15/20263 min readronsecuritydocumentsNotaryCentral Identity Verification Processes
Learn how NotaryCentral uses Stripe Identity for credential analysis, biometric selfie checks, and where applicable, knowledge-based personal questions before a remote online notarization session.
5/15/20265 min readRemote Online NotarizationIdentity VerificationCredential AnalysisEmbed the NotaryCentral Booking Portal
Learn how to embed the appointment booking and calendar flow directly on your own website, configure Taskbox settings, and set up the integration.
Updated 5/9/20265 min readbookingcalendarembedEmbed the NotaryCentral Customer Experience
Learn how to embed signer/customer flows on your own website and configure the setting in NotaryCentral.
Updated 5/8/20267 min readroncustomer-experienceembedPDF Editor in the Signing Room: Edit mode vs Sign mode
Learn the difference between Edit mode and Sign mode in NotaryCentral’s signing-room PDF Editor, and when notaries should use each mode.
Updated 3/20/20261 min readpdf-editorsigning-roomnotariesConfiguring Appointment Reminders
Learn how to configure personal and signer appointment reminders with clear timing and delivery channels in NotaryCentral.
Updated 3/3/20262 min readuser-friendlyease-of-usefast-onboardingRegistering an Appointment
Learn how to register a new appointment in NotaryCentral using the Service, When, Where, Payment, and Follow-up sections.
Updated 3/3/20262 min readuser-friendlyease-of-usefast-onboardingGetting Started
A quick overview of the information you’ll be asked for during account setup so you can access the app faster.
Updated 3/1/20262 min readuser-friendlyease-of-usefast-onboardingUser-Friendly Onboarding
Start here for a simple onboarding path: set up your account, connect key tools, and know exactly where to get help.
Updated 3/1/20261 min readuser-friendlyease-of-usefast-onboardingHow to Enable ID Number Capture in Your E-Journal
Show the ID number field in Personalize Journal so ID numbers can be recorded in each journal entry.
Updated 2/17/20261 min reade-journalid-verificationsettingsHow to Enable Signature Capture in Your E-Journal
Enable the Signature field from Personalize Journal to capture signatures inside journal entries.
Updated 2/17/20261 min reade-journalsignaturessettingsHow to Capture Thumbprints in Your E-Journal
Follow this step-by-step guide to charge your scanner, connect in Journal, and add a thumbprint.
Updated 2/17/20262 min reade-journalthumbprintthumbprint scannerBooking Form via NotaryCentral: Features Overview
Learn how NotaryCentral booking forms work, from setup and service configuration to client checkout, add-ons, and online payments.
Updated 2/14/20263 min readbookingschedulingonline-paymentsSystem requirements for notaries using Remote Online Notarization
Confirm your internet, camera, microphone, and Chrome setup before hosting a NotaryCentral RON session.
Updated 1/17/20261 min readronsystem-requirementsonboardingSystem requirements for signers using NotaryCentral
Any device with a camera, microphone, and stable internet can join a NotaryCentral online notarization.
Updated 1/17/20261 min readronsignerssystem-requirementsWitnesses in NotaryCentral
Clarify witness roles, credible witness rules, and how to configure witness participants in NotaryCentral for in-person and remote online notarizations.
Updated 1/12/20263 min readEnforcing Video During ID Verification
Why a live video checkpoint during ID verification strengthens signer awareness, identity assurance, and overall session integrity.
Updated 1/4/20262 min readAutomated Invoices in NotaryCentral
Generate professional, branded invoices automatically with mileage calculations and custom line items.
Updated 11/29/20251 min readinvoicingbillingautomationPackages for Faster Journal Entries
Create reusable packages of documents and notarial acts to speed up journal entries and reduce omissions.
Updated 11/29/20252 min readjournalefficiencytemplatesSync Orders from Other Platforms
Learn how to connect your NotaryCentral account with SigningOrder.com to sync orders and payments.
Updated 11/27/20252 min readchromeextensionautomationsEssential Reports Every Independent Notary Needs for Tax Filing
Gather these four reports—Profit & Loss, expense details, mileage logs, and 1099 reconciliations—to file Schedule C accurately and avoid IRS mismatches.
Updated 11/26/20252 min readtaxescomplianceaccountingConnect Google to NotaryCentral
Sync your Google Calendar and send emails directly from NotaryCentral.
Updated 11/4/20251 min readgooglecalendaremailHow NotaryCentral Support Works
Find the fastest way to get help, schedule a call, or explore training resources.
Updated 11/4/20251 min readuser-friendlyease-of-usefast-onboardingBusiness Health Insights in NotaryCentral
Track appointments, mileage, revenue, and expenses in NotaryCentral's Business Health dashboard so you always know how your notary business is performing.
Updated 10/22/20251 min readbusiness-healthreportingaccountingVirginia Notary Handbook 2025: Essential Updates and Deadlines
Break down the 2025 Virginia Notary Handbook into the key rule changes, statutory deadlines, and fees you must track to stay compliant.
5/20/20254 min readvirginia notary handbookvirginia notary handbook 2025virginia notary updatesUse the NotaryCentral Chrome Extension
Approve updates from SigningOrder, Snapdocs, and other portals before syncing them into NotaryCentral.
Updated 4/17/20252 min readchromeextensionautomationsAuto-Send RON Confirmation Emails
Automatically email every signer a RON appointment confirmation using your saved template.
Updated 4/1/20251 min readronemailappointmentsHow do I connect Square for online payment?
Authorize your Square account from the NotaryCentral menu so clients can pay you online without extra tools.
Updated 4/1/20251 min readpaymentssquarebillingIntegrating with Payment Providers via NotaryCentral
Compare Stripe Connect and Square integrations, including how each supports remote online notarization and invoice-based payments.
Updated 4/1/20251 min readpaymentsstripesquareAudio & Video Recording for Remote Online Notarization Sessions
Understand how RON session recordings are captured, stored locally and in cloud backups, and why verification matters after every appointment.
Updated 4/1/20251 min readroncompliancerecordkeepingWhy NotaryCentral is the Best U.S. Notary App
See how NotaryCentral unifies scheduling, journaling, compliance, and payments to streamline every signing.
Updated 1/15/20254 min readuser-friendlyease-of-usefast-onboardingNotaryCentral vs NotaryGadget vs NotaryAssist vs CloseWise: A Fair Notary Software Comparison
Compare NotaryCentral, NotaryGadget, NotaryAssist, and CloseWise feature by feature to find the best fit for your notary business.
10/1/20244 min readcomparisonnotary softwareworkflow toolsImport orders
Forward emails from Snapdocs, SigningOrder, or any platform to hi@automation.notarycentral.org and let NotaryCentral's AI create appointments so nothing slips through the cracks.
Updated 11/20/20231 min readautomationordersemailTax report generation with NotaryCentral
Learn how NotaryCentral streamlines generating tax-ready reports so your filings stay organized.
1 min readtaxesreportingaccounting