# IEN vs. REN: In-Person vs. Remote E-Notarization


Under [A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC](/glossary/am-no-24-10-14-sc/), Philippine [e-notarization](/glossary/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.

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## At a Glance

| Dimension | [In-Person Electronic Notarization (IEN)](/glossary/in-person-electronic-notarization/) | [Remote Electronic Notarization (REN)](/glossary/remote-electronic-notarization/) |
|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 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](/glossary/document-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](/glossary/electronic-notarial-seal/) | [Electronic notarial seal](/glossary/electronic-notarial-seal/) |
| Recordkeeping | Electronic [notarial book](/glossary/notarial-book/) + SC database | Electronic [notarial book](/glossary/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](/glossary/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](/glossary/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](/glossary/electronic-signature/) live during the session. The notary then applies the [electronic notarial seal](/glossary/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](/solutions/ofws-and-overseas-filipinos/) 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](/solutions/banks-and-lenders/), [BPOs/HR](/solutions/bpos-and-hr-teams/), [insurers](/solutions/insurance-companies/), [real estate teams](/solutions/real-estate-brokers-and-developers/), [tax practitioners](/solutions/tax-practitioners-and-accountants/))

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](/glossary/competent-evidence-of-identity/) standards under [A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC](/glossary/am-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](/glossary/document-audit-trail/)) |

## Procedural Steps

### IEN
1. Principal arrives at the notarization location with a current government photo ID
2. Identity verification: ID capture, facial check, OTP
3. Principal reviews the PDF/PDF-A document
4. Notary administers oath (if [jurat](/glossary/jurat/)) or takes [acknowledgment](/glossary/acknowledgment/)
5. Principal applies [electronic signature](/glossary/electronic-signature/) live in the system
6. Notary applies [electronic notarial seal](/glossary/electronic-notarial-seal/)
7. Act is recorded in the electronic [notarial book](/glossary/notarial-book/) and SC central database
8. Certified PDF delivered

### REN
1. Principal joins the scheduled audiovisual session from any location
2. Identity verification: ID capture via device, liveness check, OTP
3. Notary visually confirms the principal on the live link
4. Principal reviews the PDF/PDF-A document
5. Notary administers oath (if [jurat](/glossary/jurat/)) or takes [acknowledgment](/glossary/acknowledgment/)
6. Principal applies [electronic signature](/glossary/electronic-signature/) live during the session
7. Notary applies [electronic notarial seal](/glossary/electronic-notarial-seal/)
8. Session recording is preserved as part of the [audit trail](/glossary/document-audit-trail/)
9. Act is recorded in the electronic [notarial book](/glossary/notarial-book/) and SC central database
10. 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/in-person-electronic-notarization/)
- [Glossary: Remote Electronic Notarization](/glossary/remote-electronic-notarization/)
- [Glossary: Electronic Notary Public](/glossary/electronic-notary-public/)
- [E-Notarization vs. Physical Notarization](/compare/e-notarization-vs-physical-notarization/)
- [Online vs. Walk-In Notary](/compare/online-vs-walk-in-notary/)

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[NotarialOS](https://notarialos.com) is a leading SC-accredited Electronic Notarization Facility supporting both IEN and REN under A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC.