As used in this section and sections 147.61 to 147.66 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Appear in person" means being in the same physical location as another person and being close enough to hear, communicate with, and exchange tangible identification credentials with that individual. "Appear in person" also means being in a different location as another person and interacting with that individual by means of live two-way, audio-video communication.

(B) "Credential analysis" means a process or service operating according to standards adopted by the secretary of state under section 147.62 of the Revised Code through which a third person affirms the validity of a government-issued identification credential through review of public and proprietary data sources.

(C) "Electronic" means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.

(D) "Electronic document" means information that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored in an electronic medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(E) "Electronic seal" means information within a notarized electronic document to which all of the following apply:

(1) The information confirms the notary public's name, jurisdiction, and commission expiration date.

(2) The information generally corresponds to the contents, layout, and format of the notary public's seal for use on paper documents, as required under section 147.04 of the Revised Code.

(F) "Electronic signature" means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with an electronic document and executed or adopted by a natural person with the intent to sign the electronic document.

(G) "Identity proofing" means a process or service operating according to standards adopted by the secretary of state under section 147.62 of the Revised Code through which a third person affirms the identity of a natural person through the review of personal information from public and proprietary data sources.

(H) "Notarial act" means the performance of a function authorized under sections 147.07 and 147.51 of the Revised Code. "Notarial act" does not include the taking or certifying of depositions.

(I) "Online notarization" means a notarial act performed by means of live two-way video and audio conference technology that conforms to the standards adopted by the secretary of state under section 147.62 of the Revised Code.

(J) "Online notary public" means a notary public who has been duly appointed and commissioned under section 147.01 of the Revised Code and has received authorization by the secretary of state under section 147.63 of the Revised Code to perform online notarizations.

(K) "Principal" means a natural person whose electronic signature is notarized in an online notarization, or the natural person taking an oath or affirmation from the online notary public. "Principal" does not include a natural person taking an oath or giving an affirmation in the capacity of a witness for the online notarization.

(L) "Remote presentation" means transmission to an online notary public through live two-way video and audio conference technology of an image of a government-issued identification credential that is of sufficient quality to enable the online notary public to identify the principal seeking the online notary public's services and to perform credential analysis.

(M) "Territory of the United States" means the United States, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and any territory, insular possession, or other location subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

Added by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, SB 263, §1, eff. 9/20/2019.