Digital Notarization · 5 min read
Electronic Signature vs. Notarization: Why You Often Need Both
DocuSign isn't notarization. Notarization isn't an electronic signature. Most digital signings require both layers stacked together.
An electronic signature under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA statutes is legally equivalent to a wet signature for most contracts. But notarization is a separate legal act — it's the notary's certification that the signer's identity was verified and that the signature was witnessed.
A notarized document signed electronically requires two layers: the e-signature (DocuSign, Adobe Sign, etc.) for the signer, and a digital notary certificate and seal for the notarial act.
Most RON platforms (Notarize, Proof, OneNotary) handle both in a single workflow. Standalone e-signature platforms do not — they capture the signature but cannot perform the notarial act.