Notarization of an electronic signature IS VERY RARE and still requires personal appearance. It is a certification of a voluntary signature just the same as any other signature. Notarization of an electronic signature DOES NOT mean by phone, fax, email or video conference. For electronic notarization, the signer is in the presence of the notary using a computer instead of pen and paper.  The rule of personal appearance is not affected by the definition of “Electronic Signature.”