E-Notarization delivers Convenience and Security

Notary Public, Don Thomas collaborates with local digital signature provider for digital certification.


Public Notaries will soon be recognizing the value of providing digitally certified, electronic copies of documents to their customers if New Zealand Lawyer and Notary Public Don Thomas has his way. Early adopters like Don Thomas see the advantage of giving their customers the convenience of an electronic document, that can be sent quickly and easily anywhere in the world, combined with the security of digital certification. “I am convinced we need to be offering e-notarization services,” said Mr. Thomas.

People turn to Notaries at important points in their lives like applying for student or work visas. Supplying the correct documents that have been certified as true copies, is crucial in securing a positive outcome for their application. Seen from this perspective, a routine legal procedure is actually something that helps people to realise opportunities that can shape the rest of their lives.

One of Mr. Thomas’s first successes with e-notarisation was assisting a student renew her visa by witnessing applications to a New York University and to the US examination board for an alternative identification number. The ability to offer an electronic copy of these documents that was digitally certified, meant these documents could be supplied by email, avoiding the need to post paper copies half way around the world.

Initially Mr. Thomas volunteered digitally certified documents in conjunction with hard copies. Within a few months though he found people were seeking him out on the basis of being able to provide e-notarisation services. In December last year, he was able to deliver a certified document for a Merrill Lynch USA client without any hard copy ‘backup’. His experience of the acceptance of digitally certified documents by both customers and recipients has been positive.

Mr. Thomas uses Secured Signing to “sign and seal” documents as a Notary. “To me, the advantage of using Secured Signing is they provide an easy to use facility at a cost that is affordable, as you only pay for what you use,” said Mr. Thomas. “Also, being locally based, they have been working with me to deliver a solution that specifically meets the needs of Australian and New Zealand Notaries.”

As Notaries consider adding e-notarization to the capabilities they offer, it is important not to confuse digital certification with the many methods available to insert simple electronic signatures or images of signatures into a document. Digital signatures provide strong methods validate the identity of the signatory and to detect any alterations or additions to, or deletions from, the signed document. This security is further extended with the certification part of the digital signature standard also ‘sealing’ or ‘locking’ the document.

Don Thomas is eager to see all Notaries setting themselves up to be able to offer e-notarization services. “People will not know the service exists if we are not setup to promote and develop the awareness of it,” he encourages his fellow Notaries.

Public Notaries willing to take up the challenge are welcome to contact Don directly. Those new to the convenience and security of digital signing can sign up for a Notary Account and give Secured Signing a try.


About Don Thomas

Don Thomas is the Principal of Thomas & Co, a law practice based in West Auckland, New Zealand. Thomas & Co is a well established law practice that commenced business in 1966. Don was appointed a Notary Public in 1978. His legal career has been typified by constantly seeking to adopt new technologies and systems into his legal practice. He is an early adopter/originator of concepts including electronic files (paperless office), inter center Document Exchange, law office word processing and settlement by facsimile.

For more information please visit: www.thomas.co.nz


About Secured Signing

Secured Signing provides a comprehensive and secure SaaS digital signature service that delivers a full range of form completion and eSigning capabilities combining advanced personalized X509 PKI Digital Signature technology with easy-to-use, simple-to-deploy, compliant solutions. Secured Signing enables its users to utilise smartphones, PCs, any tablet device and any browser, to capture their graphical signature, fill-in, sign, seal and verify documents anywhere, anytime. The solution streamlines business processes, cuts back on expenses, expedites delivery cycles, improves staff efficiency and enhances customer service in a green environment.

For more information please visit: www.securedsigning.co.nz

Press Contact:
David Schulz
Secured Signing
Phone AUS: 1800 305 175
Phone NZ: 0800 55 33 66
E-mail: david@securedsigning.com