Document size and format limitations when using virtual notary PA

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

So, here we are getting further into the digital age, and the idea of virtual notary PA seems to have actual utility as a new game-changer. If you wonder whether there are size or format limitations of documents that can be notarized online, and even more so for oversized blueprints or intricate engineering diagrams, read on.

Understanding document limitations concerning virtual notarization

Online notarization has made handling documents easier, but it has its own limitations. There can be file types and sizes, among other aspects related to the documents, that have to be taken into consideration. Below is some information on how you can get different types of documents online notarized:

• Most online notary services have file size limitations ranging from 10 MB to 25 MB, which can be a great challenge if you have high-resolution images or very complex blueprints.
• Typically acceptable are popular formats such as PDF, DOCX, and JPEG; some other more specialized ones, for instance, CAD files, may not be.
• Such detailed documents that need high resolution, like blueprints, would require clearness in the notarization process.
• Multi-page documents or those with unusual layouts may require a special type of treatment to make sure that every detail is captured accurately and attested to by the notary.

These points outline some of the possible challenges that you could face when trying to notarize oversized or complex documents online.

Specific document types overview

Specialized documents, like oversized blueprints or intricate engineering diagrams, have their peculiar issues, and it helps to know the workarounds. Here’s how you can navigate them.

Oversized blueprints and diagrams

For longer documents, you may wish to upload them in sections that can be scanned or photographed at high resolution. You want to make sure every part you upload is clear and legible before it is uploaded for notarization. Some of the multi-page uploads on the notary platforms have the capability to bring the entire document together in a notarized format.

Design and architectural plans

Sometimes, the files are in specialized formats, such as CAD or DWG. When uploading your documents on your online notary platform, convert them into PDF or JPEG, if the platform does not support specialized formats. The most important factor here is to check that, after conversion, the main structure from the original plans remains and is clear.

High-resolution images

For high-resolution documents, high DPI in scans or photos should be applicable to things like very detailed diagrams. This provides a guarantee of clarity and that every important detail gets captured within the document in the notarization process.

Multi-page documents

Ensure that if your document is more than one page long, you upload the pages serially. Use tools that combine several files into one PDF document for a seamless notarization process to ensure no details are skipped.

Solutions and best practices

While there are limitations, there are many solutions and best practices that could help you get around all of these to successfully notarize your documents online. Here’s how:

• Utilize the tools of compression to a level where the file size will be reduced to the very least for the huge file sizes and quality is not compromised.
• Change the more specialized formats to the more commonly accepted ones, like PDF, to be assured of compatibility with virtual notary platforms.
• Confirm the file size, file format, and resolution of any file that you have to deal with on the virtual notary platform.

Reach out to the digital notary service beforehand to discuss any needs or questions you may have relating to the notarization of your papers.