# API Research Report: Online Notary (RON) & Electronic Certified Mail for Debt Recovery Platform

**Date:** July 7, 2026  
**Context:** Texas-based debt recovery web portal needs (1) Remote Online Notarization for Power of Attorney forms and (2) Electronic Certified Mail for legal service of documents.

---

## 1. REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION (RON) APIs

### 1.1 Proof (formerly Notarize) — Strongest Candidate

**URL:** https://www.proof.com  
**What it is:** The largest RON platform in the US (rebranded from Notarize). Now a full identity-centric security platform: notarize, sign, identify, verify, certify.

**Pricing (as of July 2026):**

| Plan | Notarize Cost | Best For |
|------|--------------|----------|
| **Pro** (small biz) | $25/notarization with in-house notary; $10/additional seal; $10/on-demand witness; $5/additional signer | Low-volume (≤25 tx/mo) |
| **Premium** (mid-size) | Custom pricing, billed annually | API access, integrations, fraud monitoring |
| **Enterprise** | Contact sales | SSO, sandbox, dedicated CSM, custom SLAs |

**Key Features for Debt Recovery:**
- ✅ **Notarize℠ Network** — on-demand notaries available 24/7 (no need to hire your own)
- ✅ API & integration support (on Premium and up)
- ✅ Identity verification (NIST IAL2 compliant — $4/signer)
- ✅ Documents can be signed and notarized in same session
- ✅ **All 50 states accepted** including Texas RON-compliant
- ✅ eSignature included ($4/transaction)
- ✅ Custom co-branding available
- ✅ Sandbox access (Enterprise tier)

**API Documentation Quality:** ✅ Developer docs available at proof.com. REST API with webhooks. Integrations with Salesforce, eOriginal, Adobe eSign. API access requires Premium tier.

**Texas Compliance:** ✅ Texas HB 3496 (2017) authorized RON; SB 1624 (2021) updated requirements. Proof is compliant with all Texas RON requirements including:
- Two-way live audio-video
- Identity proofing (knowledge-based authentication + credential analysis)
- Electronic journal recording
- Tamper-evident digital certificates

**Integration Feasibility:** Good. REST API can be embedded in web portal. Document templates can pre-fill POA forms. User initiates notary session from within your portal.

**Caveats:** Pricing is per-transaction and adds up at volume. Premium plan required for API access. Sandbox only on Enterprise.

---

### 1.2 NotaryCam (Now part of PropLogos)

**Pricing:** Custom quote-based. Typically enterprise licensing.
**API:** Available for high-volume partners. SOAP/REST.
**Texas Compliance:** Meets all RON standards.
**Verdict:** More real-estate focused. Less suitable for debt recovery use case.

---

### 1.3 Pavaso (Texas-Based)

**URL:** https://www.pavaso.com  
**Pricing:** Custom, enterprise-focused.
**Focus:** Real estate eClosings (lenders, title companies, attorneys).
**API:** Platform-based with integrations for mortgage origination systems.
**Texas Compliance:** ✅ Based in Texas, built for Texas compliance.
**Verdict:** Overkill for simple POA notarization. Best for high-volume real estate closings, not debt recovery.

---

### 1.4 OneNotary

**URL:** https://www.onenotary.com  
**Pricing:** Per-notarization (~$25-35), no subscription required.
**API:** Not widely advertised. Likely no public REST API.
**Texas Compliance:** ✅
**Verdict:** Consumer-facing, less suited for API integration.

---

### 1.5 RON Comparison Summary

| Provider | API Available | Per-Notary Cost | Sandbox | Texas Compliant | Best For |
|----------|-------------|----------------|---------|-----------------|----------|
| **Proof** | ✅ (Premium+) | $25 (in-house) / $10-25 (network) | ✅ (Enterprise) | ✅ | **Best fit — full API + on-demand notaries** |
| NotaryCam | ✅ (Custom) | Custom quote | Likely | ✅ | Real estate, high volume |
| Pavaso | ✅ (Custom) | Enterprise pricing | Likely | ✅ | Real estate eClosings only |
| OneNotary | ❌ Limited | ~$25-35/ea | ❌ | ✅ | Consumer-facing |

**Recommendation: Proof (Pro or Premium)** for the debt recovery portal. The API access, on-demand notary network, and identity verification make it the most suitable.

---

## 2. ELECTRONIC CERTIFIED MAIL APIs

### 2.1 LetterStream — Strongest Candidate

**URL:** https://www.letterstream.com  
**What it is:** Online print-to-mail service. You upload documents, they print, fold, stuff, and mail via USPS.

**Pricing (from website, July 2026):**

| Service | Starting Price | Includes |
|---------|---------------|----------|
| **First-Class Letter** | $1.23 (as low as) | Double-window envelope, B&W printing, postage |
| **Certified Mail** | $8.34 (as low as) | Tracking, proof of delivery, no forms to fill |
| **Postcards** | Not listed publicly | Full color available |
| **FedEx 2Day** | Custom | Expedited delivery |

**No monthly fees. No minimums.** Free account.

**API Capabilities (from https://www.letterstream.com/api/):**
- REST API — "activated in less than a day by some partners"
- **API calls available:**
  - Send one letter or batch of thousands
  - Send letters, postcards, **Certified Mail**, and Flats
  - Price check
  - Retrieve PDF proofs
  - Get mailing status
  - **Get tracing information for Certified Mail**
  - **Retrieve Certified Mail signature**
  - Specify return envelopes
  - Dictate paper color

**API Documentation:** ✅ Docs at docs.letterstream.com. To activate: create account, email support@letterstream.com requesting API access. REST-based, simple to integrate.

**Proof of Delivery:** ✅ Certified Mail includes:
- USPS tracking number
- Proof of mailing
- **Signature upon delivery** (retrievable via API)
- Electronic Return Receipt

**Integration Feasibility:** **Very high.** REST API can be called from any web backend. You can trigger certified mailings directly from your debt recovery portal when a notice needs to be sent. Batching for mass mailings. PDF proofs before sending.

---

### 2.2 CertifiedMail.com / CertifiedMail LLC

**URL:** https://www.certifiedmailllc.com  
**Status:** Site appears inaccessible or no longer active as an API service.
**Verdict:** Avoid — service appears defunct or significantly changed.

---

### 2.3 USPS Electronic Return Receipt (Direct)

**URL:** https://www.usps.com/business/certified-mail.htm  
**What it is:** USPS offers Certified Mail with Electronic Return Receipt directly.
**Integration:** No public REST API. Requires shipping software integration (e.g., Endicia, Stamps.com, Pitney Bowes).
**Cost:** ~$7.00-7.50 for Certified Mail + $2.10 for Electronic Return Receipt (postage rates vary).
**Verdict:** Requires additional middleware. More complexity to integrate directly.

---

### 2.4 E-Certify / SimplyCertified

SimplyCertified.com is now a parked/for-sale domain. No active service.

---

### 2.5 Certified Mail Comparison Summary

| Provider | API | Certified Mail Price per Piece | Proof of Delivery | Signature Retrieval | Monthly Fee |
|----------|-----|-------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------|
| **LetterStream** | ✅ REST API | **$8.34** (as low as) | ✅ USPS tracking | ✅ Via API | $0 |
| USPS Direct | ❌ (via 3rd party) | ~$7.00 + $2.10 eRR | ✅ | Via 3rd party | N/A |
| CertifiedMail.com | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |

**Recommendation: LetterStream** — best balance of API quality, pricing, and features. No minimums. Easy API activation.

---

## 3. STRIPE CONNECT — Platform Payment Model

**What it is:** Stripe Connect enables marketplace/platform payment flows where you (the platform operator) collect payment from the debtor and disburse funds to the customer (debt recovery agency/attorney) minus your fee.

**How it fits your model:**
1. **Debtor pays** the notary fee + certified mail fee through your portal
2. Stripe Connect holds funds
3. You take your **platform fee** (service fee)
4. Remaining funds are **paid out** to the customer (the collection agency/law firm)

**Pricing:**
- Standard: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction + 0.25% Connect fee (for platform)
- Custom: Volume-based pricing available
- Express: 2.9% + $0.30 + 0.50% Connect fee
- No monthly fee for Connect

**Key Features:**
- ✅ **Onboarding API** — onboard customers (collection agencies/law firms) to receive payouts
- ✅ **Destination charges** — collect payment from debtor, take your cut, send remainder
- ✅ **Separate charges and transfers** — full control over fund movement
- ✅ **Dispute handling** — Stripe handles chargebacks
- ✅ **ACH and card support**

**Verdict:** ✅ Stripe Connect is well-suited for this model. Standard integration with destination charges is the recommended approach.

---

## 4. TEXAS COMPLIANCE OVERVIEW

### Remote Online Notarization
- Texas **authorizes RON** under Government Code Chapter 406 (HB 3496, effective 2018)
- Requirements for the platform:
  - Two-way live audio-video communication
  - Identity proofing (credential analysis + knowledge-based authentication)
  - Audio-visual recording of notarization
  - Electronic notary journal
  - Tamper-evident certificate
- **Proof** (and other major RON providers) is compliant
- The notary must be commissioned in Texas; the signer can be anywhere

### Certified Mail for Legal Service
- Texas Rules of Civil Procedure allow service by certified mail, return receipt requested
- Texas Business & Commerce Code allows electronic return receipts
- **LetterStream** provides physical USPS Certified Mail with tracking and signature — meets legal standards

---

## 5. RECOMMENDED ARCHITECTURE

```
Debt Recovery Web Portal
├── Proof API (RON) ─────── Notarize Power of Attorney forms
│   └── On-demand notaries via Proof's Notarize Network
│   └── Identity verification (NIST IAL2)
│
├── LetterStream API ────── Send Certified Mail to debtors
│   └── Print, mail, track, retrieve signatures
│
└── Stripe Connect ──────── Payment collection & disbursement
    └── Debtor pays notary fee + mailing fee
    └── Platform takes service fee
    └── Customer receives net payout
```

### Estimated Per-Transaction Costs

| Line Item | Cost |
|-----------|------|
| RON Notarization (Proof Network) | ~$25-$35/notarization |
| Identity Verification (Proof) | ~$4/signer |
| Certified Mail (LetterStream) | ~$8.34/letter |
| Stripe Connect fees | ~3.15% + $0.30 |
| **Total per debtor** | **~$37-$48 + processing fees** |

### Next Steps
1. Contact Proof sales for Premium plan pricing and API key
2. Create LetterStream free account → email support for API access
3. Set up Stripe Connect account and configure destination charges
4. Build integration layer: portal → Proof API/LetterStream API/Stripe Connect
5. Test end-to-end in sandbox before launching