Notary-Sourced Transactions (NST) Overview – Proof Help Center
The Notary-Sourced Transactions (NST) Overview from Proof Help Center explains that properly commissioned notaries in specified states can use Proof's platform to independently run their Remote Online Notarization (RON) business—managing clients, setting fees, and utilizing features like secure digital certificates, multi-factor authentication, session recordings, flexible billing, and training resources—all while ensuring compliance with state-specific requirements.
Audience: Notary-Sourced Transaction Notaries (NSTs)
NST notaries use Proof to run their own Remote Online Notarization (RON) business — creating and sending transactions for their own clients, setting their own fees, and managing everything from one platform.
Active States
Properly commissioned notaries in the following states can facilitate remote online notarizations (RONs) for their own clients through Proof:
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida*, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada*, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania*, Tennessee, Texas*, Virginia*, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin
*These states offer dual capacity as both an On-demand Notary and a Notary-Sourced Transaction notary under one account.
Why Use Proof for Your RON Business?
Proof provides a dedicated business account and a suite of tools to help you serve clients online, stay compliant, and grow your practice. Features include:
- Platform training and support (Proof Academy, Help Center, in-session support)
- Proof Digital Certificate for secure notarizations and identity
- Multi-factor authentication (Knowledge-Based Authentication, Credential Analysis, identity vetting)
- End-to-end session recordings and notary journal (managed and stored for your state's minimum record retention period)
- Free electronic seal and signature
- Forward-thinking features (templates, integrated business site links, document tagging, Quick Stamp, in-meeting chat, and more)
- Flexible billing (set your own fees per transaction or at the account level)
- Meeting simulator to practice before your first client session
- Metrics and panel visibility from your Home page
- Community feedback sessions hosted by the Network Operations team
Get Started
1. Check Your State's Requirements
Documentation and compliance requirements vary by state. To check yours:
- 1.Open the notary map and click your state.
- 2.Check the "Can notaries join the Notarize Network in [STATE]?" question at the bottom of the pop-up window.
- 3.If yes, click the link at the top of the window to view your state's requirements. If no, join the waitlist to be notified when Proof goes live in your state.
2. Create Your Account
Once you've confirmed your state's requirements, follow the instructions to create your notary-sourced transaction account.
3. Wait for Review
After submitting your profile, the Network Community Operations team will review it within 1–2 business days. If corrections are needed, you will be notified. Most updates to your profile will also trigger a review, which takes up to 3 business days.
4. Start Sending Transactions
Once your account is approved, you can create and send transactions, including those requiring witnesses, multiple signers, or a scheduled date and time.
Fees and Payments
You set your own fee for each notarization. You can set a fee for a specific transaction or apply a default fee at the account level for all transactions not created through Send & Manage.
How You're Paid
If you're an NST notary not in an ODN state (FL, NV, PA, TX, or VA), you have two options to collect payment from your signers:
- Bill signers outside of Proof (using third-party apps like Zelle, Venmo, or CashApp)
- Signers pay through Proof (funds routed through Stripe and paid out to you daily, weekly, or monthly depending on your setup)
If you are an ODN notary acting in your NST capacity, you may only charge signers outside of the Proof platform via a third party such as Zelle, Venmo, or CashApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a registered LLC to bring my business to the platform?
You do not need a registered LLC to run your business or serve your clients on the Proof platform. If you have a registered business or LLC, you are encouraged to include your business name in your Account Profile.
You must be a compliant, commissioned Notary Public and RON Authorized Notary to execute transactions on the platform. To understand compliance requirements, visit notarize.com/notary.
If your fees aren't appearing in your account yet
Verify the payment details attached to your Stripe Connect Account and contact Stripe directly, as funds are paid directly to you from Stripe. Bank processing times may vary.
Can a customer schedule a meeting with me?
A customer cannot schedule a meeting with you for a specific date and time on the Proof platform. However, you can coordinate with the signer outside the platform to agree on a date and time, then use the Transactions option to create a transaction and add that date and time before sending it to the customer. The scheduled date and time will appear on your meetings tab for tracking. The time shown does not lock access before or after — signers can join at any time on the scheduled date, and the time can be changed at the last minute.
Requirements by Notary Capacity
Comparison of requirements for different notary types on the platform:
| Requirement | ODN | NST | IHN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional and RON Commission | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Proof Digital Certificate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Proof Platform Training | ✅ | ✅ | Required WI & MT |
| Notary Skills Training | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Signature & Seal Provided by Proof | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| NNA Number | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| NSA Certification Training and Exam | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| NSA Required Background Check | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| E&O Insurance | ✅ | Optional | Optional |
| Account Payment | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Signer Payout | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
- NNA Number is required for ODNs; optional for NSTs and IHNs depending on their state.
- ODNs who act as NSTs must collect payment from their signers outside of the Proof platform.
✓ Summary Checklist
- Confirmed your state is active on the Proof platform and checked your state's compliance requirements.
- Created your notary-sourced transaction account and completed your profile.
- Waited 1–2 business days for your account to be reviewed and approved.
- Set your transaction fees and configured your payment preferences in your account settings.
- Once approved, started creating and sending transactions for your clients.
Still unsure? For questions about getting started as an NST notary, contact Proof Support.
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