Remote Online Notarization (RON) is an alternative method for authenticating documents that allows signers and notaries to connect through a live video call instead of meeting in person.
What Is Remote Online Notarization?
Remote Online Notarization uses electronic signatures, identity verification technology, and audio-visual communication to complete notarizations remotely. The notary and signer connect from different locations through a secure video platform, provided their state laws permit this type of notarization.
In traditional notarization, both parties meet in person with paper documents and ink signatures. RON replaces the in-person meeting with a video session and uses digital documents and electronic signatures instead.
What Is a Remote Online Notary?
A remote online notary is a traditional notary public who has met the additional application requirements to perform remote notarizations. Like notaries who handle paper documents in person, remote online notaries are held to the same standard of impartiality when witnessing the signing of digital documents.
The differences between traditional and remote online notaries lie in their appointment location, document format, and supplies:
Traditional Notaries | Remote Online Notaries |
In-person location | Online location |
Paper documents | Electronic documents |
Physical seal stamp | Electronic seal |
Paper certificate of notarial act | Electronic certificate of notarial act |
"Wet"-ink signature | Electronic signature |
It's also worth distinguishing RON from in-person electronic notarization. An electronic notarization is the act of notarizing a digital document in person — the notary and signer are in each other's physical presence. In a remote online notarization, the notary and signer are in two different locations.
How Remote Online Notarization Works
Identity Verification
Before notarizing a document, the notary verifies the signer's identity using two methods:
Credential Analysis — The notary examines the signer's government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, etc.) using credential analysis technology, which verifies the ID's security features to confirm it is genuine and has not been altered.
Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) — Many states also require the notary to ask the signer personal questions drawn from their background. These questions verify information only the signer would know, such as:
"Which state was your Social Security Number issued?"
"Which of the following addresses is associated with you?"
"What was the model of your first car loan?"
This two-step verification process — ID authentication plus personal knowledge questions — confirms the signer's identity before any document is signed.
The Notarization Session
Once the signer's identity is verified, the notary and signer connect via a secure video call. During the session:
The notary confirms the signer understands the document and is signing willingly.
The signer electronically signs the document on screen.
The notary applies their official electronic seal to the document.
The session is recorded and an electronic journal entry is created, documenting the verification process, the signing, and the details of the notarization. Together, these create an audit trail of the notarization.
Security Features
RON documents include security measures to protect against fraud and unauthorized alteration:
Tamper-Evident Seals — The electronic seal applied by the notary shows visible signs if the document is altered after notarization.
Audit Trail — The recorded video session and electronic journal create a complete record of the identity verification, signing ceremony, and the notary's confirmation that the signer acted willingly. This record can be reviewed if the validity of the notarization is questioned.
Encrypted Storage — The recorded session and journal are stored securely.
Common Uses for Remote Online Notarization
RON is used across various industries for different document types:
Industry | Common Documents |
Financial Services | Powers of attorney, trusts, auto title transfers |
Legal | Affidavits, deeds, real estate transactions |
Government | Quitclaim deeds, custody agreements |
Business | Corporate leases, HR documents |
Types of Notarization Methods
Several methods exist for notarizing documents, each with different requirements:
Method | Documents | Location | Signatures |
Traditional Notarization | Paper | In-person | Ink signatures |
IPEN (In-Person Electronic) | Digital | In-person, same location | Electronic signatures |
RIN (Remote Ink-Signed) | Paper | Remote, documents mailed | Ink signatures |
RON (Remote Online) | Digital | Remote, video connection | Electronic signatures |
Each method has different state legal requirements. Some states permit RON for most document types, while others restrict it to specific situations or do not permit it at all.
Legal Validity and State Requirements
RON documents are legally recognized only when completed according to the laws of the state where the notary is commissioned. The signer can be located in a different state or internationally, but the notary must hold a commission in a state that has authorized RON.
State regulations vary significantly. Not all states have adopted RON legislation, and among those that have, specific requirements differ regarding:
Which document types may be notarized via RON
Which RON platforms or vendors are approved
Required identity verification procedures
Record retention requirements
Where RON Stands by State
As of mid-2025, the general breakdown was:
Currently allowed — The large majority of states permanently authorize RON.
Allowed in the future — California has enacted RON legislation, but notaries there cannot perform remote online notarizations until 2030.
Not allowed — Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina do not authorize RON.
A few additional situations are worth noting:
Massachusetts notaries cannot yet perform remote notarization because the required training and application procedures are not available; this is expected to change once the state provides further instruction.
North Carolina has not yet put its permanent RON law into effect.
Alabama and Connecticut have enacted remote notarization laws, but these are not remote online notarization.
Note: These rules change over time. Confirm the current status directly with the relevant state's commissioning authority before relying on RON.
Key Differences Between RON and Traditional Notarization
| Remote Online Notarization | Traditional Notarization |
Location | Notary and signer in different locations | Both present in the same place |
Documents & Signatures | Digital documents, electronic signatures | Paper documents, ink signatures |
Time | Typically the length of a video call | Requires scheduling and travel |
Record Keeping | Recorded video and electronic journal | Paper record in the notary's journal |
Availability | Only in states that have authorized it | Available in all states |
Acceptable Forms of Identification
Before meeting with a notary — online or in person — signers should make sure they have the proper form(s) of identification ready.
Tip: ID requirements vary by state, and the notary will have the specific requirements for the state where they are commissioned. Blurry photos are not accepted; if an ID is not clear, you'll be asked to retake the photo. A U.S. Social Security number is also typically required to verify identity.
Primary Forms of ID
All primary IDs must include a photographic image of the signer's face. Commonly accepted documents include:
U.S. state-issued driver's license
U.S. state-issued photo ID
U.S. passport book
Certificate of U.S. citizenship
Certificate of naturalization
Foreign passport
Alien registration card with photo (green card or permanent resident card)
Generally not accepted: military IDs and inmate/prisoner IDs.
Secondary Forms of ID
If a signer has recently changed their name and it no longer matches the primary ID, a secondary ID reflecting the new name is required. The primary ID may show the former name as long as the secondary ID shows the current name. All secondary forms must display the signer's name. Examples include:
Social Security card
U.S. government-issued visa
Birth certificate
Non-U.S./Canadian driver's license
Most recent signed tax returns
Property tax bill
Voter registration card
Organizational membership card
Bank/investment/loan statements
Paycheck stub with name
Most recent W-2
Home/car/renter insurance papers
Recent utility bill
Fees and Becoming a Remote Online Notary
What You Can Charge
Notary fees fall into two categories:
Per-notarial-act fees — Most states cap the fee a notary may charge per remote notarization at around $25, though the exact maximum varies by state. This is the regulated fee for the notarial act itself.
Service fees — For more involved work such as real estate closings, estate planning, and other legal signings, you're providing a service beyond the individual notarial act — coordinating the session, handling multiple documents, and acting as a signing agent. These engagements typically range from $30 to $200, depending on the complexity of the package and the type of transaction.
In short, the per-act cap limits what you charge for stamping a single document, while service-based work is priced on the value of the overall service you provide.
Getting Started
To register as a remote online notary, you can generally expect to:
Complete a training course (if required).
Sign up with a state-approved RON provider.
Hold a surety bond (if required).
Submit an application form and fee.
Summary
Remote Online Notarization is one of several methods available for notarizing documents. It uses video technology to conduct notarizations between parties in different locations, rather than requiring an in-person meeting. Whether RON is appropriate depends on state laws, the type of document being notarized, and the specific circumstances of the transaction.