BACKGROUND, LEGAL RECOGNITION & ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE E-NOTARIZATION
In today’s world of globalization, digital world, internet commerce, and technology it is difficult for any organization or legal profession to remain in a ‘pen and paper’ based World.
A global online notarization platform most of the developed countries around the world, especially USA and UK have already enacted legislation and recognition the legal effect of electronic signatures and electronic documents. Electronic and Digital signature service based in most of the States of USA offers remote online notarization such as Notarize.com, Notarycam.com, Onenotary.us and more.
In this continuation, present Government of Bangladesh has not only taken into special consideration today’s world of globalization and technology, but also passed ICT act in the parliament, called Information & Communication Technology Act, 2006, Digital Security Act, 2018, and various acts, rules, and policies.
Bangladesh Government is actively encouraging to continue enhancing the legal framework for allowing the use of electronic and digital signatures, electronic documents for turning the concept of digital Bangladesh as a ‘Nation Brand” for the country to revive its image in the international arena, internet commerce, and digital world.
A consistent message has been that pursuant to the Information & Communication Technology Act, 2006 and National Digital Commerce Policy, 2018 and other related laws and rules a digital signature certificate based on cryptography method is the technology best suited today to achieve the aims of Online Notarization Service.
E-notarization actually strengthens security. Because technology gives the notary public better tools to securely identify people to perform notarization services online. It also uses legally recognized third-party databases called Licensed Certifying Authority (CA) under Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) of Bangladesh Government to verify the identity of enlisted Notary Public of Notarybd Services.
One of the methods employed in Online Electronic Notarization is the use of Electronic and digital signature and electronic notary seals to notarize and take affidavit in an electronic document(s) means a document in electronic form validate with a digital signature certificate. The only differences between manual/traditional and online electronic notarization are the tools that are involved. All notarial acts remain the same except the introduction of electronic and digital signature, electronic notary stamps/seals and two-way live Video-Audio web conference, virtual visual presence, use of tools, components, and technology to prevent identity fraud and notarized document tampering.
In Digital Bangladesh almost every area of Government and Private Service Sector, Finance and Business has dramatically been changed as a result of the digital revolution. Notarization was not among them. Online Electronic Notarization (E-Notarization) is a big revolution within the Manual / Traditional Notarial Service Sector. In this present digital age, the notarial act must not be limited to a traditional service. In the continuation of the digital revolution of other sectors, notarial services are not far behind. It has become a big revolution of Notarization as Service Industry through the introduction of online electronic notarization system and web platform notarybd.com in present Digital Bangladesh and Digital Commerce, which would certainly ensure prompt delivery of secure notarization services online to Bangladeshi, Non-Resident Bangladeshi, Government, and Private Sectors through maximum use of notary tools and technology online, with the ultimate goal being the overall improvement of the daily life and service style of general people, government and private sector for the national interest of digital Bangladesh.
The online notarization service includes document notarization such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, academic certificate etc., and administers affidavit.
One of the great advantages of online electronic notarization is convenience and efficiency. Registered User / Client seeking remote online notarization can save valuable time and expense of leaving home, office, traveling during rush hour, waiting in a notary public office, and returning to work simply in the quest of having a notary public notarize a document. The inconvenience of paper-based notarization is the lack of tools and mechanisms to verify identity and prevent notarized document tampering and ultimately results in loss of productivity and additional costs to the clients. Furthermore, for signing and notarizing the document online electronic notarization service would be available 24 hours a day and seven days a week regardless of your location. You can notarize documents from anywhere in the world. It goes without saying such a service would be highly useful.
What is needed, therefore, in a digital world and internet commerce increasingly characterized by transactions performed digitally and electronically, is a way to utilize the digital and electronic facilities available to the parties to perform the steps to prevent fraud including identity fraud and notarized document tampering.
