IEN vs. REN: In-Person vs. Remote E-Notarization
Under A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC, Philippine e-notarization operates in two modes: In-Person Electronic Notarization (IEN) and Remote Electronic Notarization (REN). Both produce a fully valid notarized PDF/PDF-A. The difference is whether the principal is physically with the notary or appearing by audiovisual link.
At a Glance
| Dimension | In-Person Electronic Notarization (IEN) | Remote Electronic Notarization (REN) |
|---|---|---|
| Principal’s location | Same physical room as the notary | Anywhere with internet (PH or abroad) |
| Document format | PDF / PDF-A (electronic) | PDF / PDF-A (electronic) |
| Identity verification | Multi-factor + in-person ID inspection | Multi-factor (ID + facial / liveness + OTP) |
| Audiovisual recording | Optional / not required | Required – session recorded as part of audit trail |
| Geographic suitability | Both parties in the same place | Parties separated by distance, including overseas |
| Common use cases | Branch closings, in-office signings, regulated workflows requiring physical presence | OFW transactions, multi-province board actions, urgent claims, after-hours signings |
| Notarial seal | Electronic notarial seal | Electronic notarial seal |
| Recordkeeping | Electronic notarial book + SC database | Electronic notarial book + SC database |
What Each One Is
In-Person Electronic Notarization (IEN)
The principal physically appears at a location where the electronic notary public can see them, present ID, and sign electronically. The document is electronic; the meeting is physical. Identity verification still uses multi-factor methods, but the in-person element gives a layer of additional comfort that is sometimes required by particular receiving parties (specific banks, certain LGUs, regulated processes).
Remote Electronic Notarization (REN)
The principal appears before the electronic notary public by live audiovisual conference. The session is recorded, identity is verified through multi-factor authentication, and the principal applies their electronic signature live during the session. The notary then applies the electronic notarial seal. Both the document and the meeting are electronic – the principal can be in another city, province, or country.
When to Pick IEN
- The receiving party explicitly requires physical presence (e.g., a particular bank or LGU process)
- All signers are already at the same location for the broader transaction
- Bandwidth or connectivity is unreliable for one of the parties
- The principal prefers in-person interaction for a particularly sensitive document
- Internal compliance policies require an in-person record
IEN gives you the speed and audit benefits of e-notarization while preserving the physical-presence step.
When to Pick REN
- One or more parties is in a different city, province, or country
- The principal is an overseas Filipino who cannot reach a Philippine embassy easily
- The document is time-sensitive (insurance claim, real estate closing, board action, court filing deadline)
- The principal has mobility limitations or scheduling constraints
- High-volume operations want one consistent notarization workflow regardless of party location (banks, BPOs/HR, insurers, real estate teams, tax practitioners)
REN is the mode that fundamentally expands access – it is the reason e-notarization is more than just “paperless paper notarization.”
Identity Verification: How Each Mode Handles It
Both modes meet competent evidence of identity standards under A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC, with multi-factor checks. The mechanics differ:
| Step | IEN | REN |
|---|---|---|
| Government ID capture | In person + scan to system | Capture via device camera |
| Facial / liveness check | Visual + automated comparison | Automated liveness detection |
| One-time password (OTP) | Yes | Yes |
| Notary visual confirmation | Direct line of sight | Live audiovisual link |
| Session recording | Optional | Required (and stored in audit trail) |
Procedural Steps
IEN
- Principal arrives at the notarization location with a current government photo ID
- Identity verification: ID capture, facial check, OTP
- Principal reviews the PDF/PDF-A document
- Notary administers oath (if jurat) or takes acknowledgment
- Principal applies electronic signature live in the system
- Notary applies electronic notarial seal
- Act is recorded in the electronic notarial book and SC central database
- Certified PDF delivered
REN
- Principal joins the scheduled audiovisual session from any location
- Identity verification: ID capture via device, liveness check, OTP
- Notary visually confirms the principal on the live link
- Principal reviews the PDF/PDF-A document
- Notary administers oath (if jurat) or takes acknowledgment
- Principal applies electronic signature live during the session
- Notary applies electronic notarial seal
- Session recording is preserved as part of the audit trail
- Act is recorded in the electronic notarial book and SC central database
- Certified PDF delivered
Cost and Time
Both modes deliver upload-to-certified-PDF in roughly 15 minutes on NotarialOS at ₱488 per document (VAT-inclusive). The cost difference is essentially zero – pick the mode based on physical context, not pricing.
Decision Shortcut
- All signers in the same place → IEN
- Anyone in a different location → REN
- Receiving party requires physical presence → IEN
- Otherwise → REN
Related Pages
- Glossary: In-Person Electronic Notarization
- Glossary: Remote Electronic Notarization
- Glossary: Electronic Notary Public
- E-Notarization vs. Physical Notarization
- Online vs. Walk-In Notary
NotarialOS is a leading SC-accredited Electronic Notarization Facility supporting both IEN and REN under A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC.